Kia Sportage 2.0D EX+ AWD AT (2024) Review

Introduction

Here’s the thing: if you want a diesel mid-size SUV that ticks real-world boxes in South Africa, the Kia Sportage 2.0D EX+ AWD AT is one of the last standing. Proper torque-converter auto, genuine all-wheel-drive, and a badge that’s finally earned its place. You’re not buying it for show-off value - this one’s about doing the job without fuss, whether it’s keeping fuel costs down (R26/litre pain is real), handling gravel weekends, or sidestepping the current Chinese onslaught in the SUV aisle. Kia’s pushed the Sportage from “maybe” to “default family choice,” and with this diesel AWD, you don’t need to make excuses for the badge anymore.

Key takeaway: The 2.0D AWD Sportage is Kia’s most complete diesel family SUV for South Africa - upmarket inside, plenty of torque, and genuinely competitive with the Germans on comfort and kit.

Design & Exterior

Boomerang DRLs: finally at home

That facelift did wonders. Those boomerang LED DRLs? People still stare at them - caught a guy craning his neck during a quick refuel. They look dialled-in now, not like a half-baked experiment. The grille’s chunkier, the bumper’s tidied up, and even on the base 17s, it stands out. Move up to the 19s and the Sportage looks properly resolved - nothing budget about it.

Stance and rivals

Line it up next to a Tucson, and the Sportage comes across as more grown-up - Hyundai’s got that busy origami thing going on, but Kia’s kept the surfacing restrained. Park it beside a Tiguan? The Sportage grabs more attention, and that matters because driveway impressions do count in this segment. Even though the AWD shares its body with the other versions, the filled arches and squat stance really work - especially when you’re next to something like a Haval H6 GT, all wings and drama.

Cabin & Practicality

Material choices and that twin-screen dash

Step inside, and any “value brand” hang-ups disappear. Twin 12.3-inch screens, neatly merged under a single curved glass panel - Audi Q3 vibes for half the price. Soft-touch plastics on the dash and door tops, a two-spoke steering wheel that splits opinion, and a clever (if slightly annoying) haptic strip for the climate and media. It looks great, but you’ll need to glance down to check the aircon mode. Give me old-fashioned dials - after a week bouncing between three “touch-everything” SUVs, that was my main gripe.

Boot, back seat and family duty

The Kia Sportage boot space is a win for families: 543 litres with seats up, 1 829 litres when flat. Full-size spare under the floor - essential for those random gravel detours. Two ISOFIX anchors in the rear, real adult legroom, and a mostly flat floor, so three can squeeze across if you pack smart. I once loaded two prams, a week’s groceries, and a cooler box - still had space left. If you’re wondering about the Kia Sportage service plan South Africa offers, it covers five years or 90 000 km, which makes running it less stressful.

• Boot (seats up): 543 litres
• Boot (seats folded): 1 829 litres
• Spare: Full-size, under-floor
• ISOFIX: Two outer rear
• Doors: 5

On the Road

2.0 CRDi and eight-speed: the main event

This diesel is the main reason to buy. Kia’s 2.0L Smartstream CRDi, 138 kW, hooked up to an eight-speed auto driving all four wheels. On paper at least, it’s a more laid-back setup than the new 1.6 CRDi dual-clutch on showroom floors. In reality, it’s as relaxed as you want - there’s the usual diesel pause at pull-off, but once you’re moving, the eight-speed fades out of mind, and the torque from 1 750 to 2 750 rpm makes overtaking a breeze. I clocked 0-100 km/h in roughly 9.9 seconds on a cool morning - quick enough, honestly.

Ride quality, gravel, and real roads

Had it on the highway, dodging trucks and potholes - Sportage just soaks up the tar at a steady 120 km/h. AWD system doesn’t announce itself until you hit gravel; then it splits torque smoothly, no drama, no front-drive scrabble. Ground clearance is 176 mm, so you’re fine for most farm driveways and game lodge arrivals - no need to stress about scraping the belly like you would in a sedan.

Steering and refinement

The light steering is good for a family SUV, not pretending to be anything it’s not. Turn-in’s accurate enough for a pass out of Graskop, and noise levels are impressively low. Diesel only gets vocal if you stamp on it from a standstill; wind noise is a non-issue at 120. Over a 500 km mixed run, I averaged 6.9 L/100 km - better than most petrol rivals, even with the AWD system adding a few per cent to consumption.

Data & Comparison

How it stacks up locally

Mid-size SUV buyers in South Africa are spoiled for choice - Tucson, CX-5, RAV4, Tiguan, plus the new Chery and Haval brigade. For the diesel AWD Sportage, Hyundai’s Tucson 2.0D Elite is its closest rival, with both offering real diesel power and proper autos.

Running costs and ownership

Kia’s offering is hard to ignore: five-year/unlimited km warranty, five-year/90 000 km service plan, and roadside assistance. Expect your five-year running costs to land close to R230 000, level with Tucson, undercutting most German rivals. As for Kia Sportage reliability, the V-generation has been strong in South Africa. No dual-clutch headaches, no recall sagas, and the old torque-converter auto is a relief. If you’re looking at used options, remember: 2012 Kia Sportage common problems were clutch and DCT issues on the 2.0 petrol, while the 2014 Kia Sportage common problems included DPF dramas for short-hop diesel drivers. The current 2.0D is a clean slate - new hardware, new gearbox, and none of those hang-ups.

• 5-year TCO (est): R230 000
• Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km
• Service plan: 5 years / 90 000 km
• Roadside assistance: 5 years

Segment trend

Search stats for 2025 show SUVs holding firm at 76.0 in November, comfortably ahead of hatchbacks at 41.1, sedans at 67.0, and crossovers at 35.9. SUVs are the only mainstream body style in South Africa that’s stayed above 73 for the whole second half of 2025. Sportage is surfing that wave, not paddling against it.

Editorial Focus

Inside, the facelifted cabin genuinely feels Audi-esque for tech and materials, especially for the money. Jump from a Q3 into a Sportage GT-Line, and you’ll realise the difference is mostly in the badge, not the basics.

And with Chinese brands like Chery and Haval forcing the old guard to sharpen their value offering, Kia responded. This Sportage packs in more standard kit than some rivals, costing R100 000 more - blind spot warning, trailer stability, collision avoidance, lane keep. It’s what the Sportage should have been from the start.

Verdict

The Sportage 2.0D EX+ AWD AT is the sort of SUV that becomes more impressive the longer you live with it. It doesn't chase lap times, turn heads with oversized wings, or try to reinvent the family car. Instead, it focuses on the things that matter in South Africa: low fuel consumption, long-distance comfort, proper all-wheel-drive capability and enough space for family life to happen without compromise.

Yes, Chinese rivals will tempt you with bigger screens and sharper pricing, while the Germans still carry more badge appeal. But few package everything together as convincingly as this Sportage. The diesel engine remains the star of the show, the cabin feels far more premium than the badge suggests, and the ownership proposition is difficult to argue with. If you're shopping for a mid-size SUV to keep for the long haul rather than impress the neighbours, the Sportage 2.0D AWD deserves to be right at the top of your list.