2012 Kia Sportage LX AWD
All photo credits
- Photo: 2013 Kia Sportage 1 1.6 Front by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi AWD Platinum Edition (III, Facelift) – Frontansicht, 4. Mai 2014, Düsseldorf by M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: KIA SPORTAGE (SL) China (7) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2013 Kia Sportage 1 1.6 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Kia Sportage LX 2011 interior by Sébastien Launay, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2012 Kia Sportage LX AWD is a 176-hp inline-4 with a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $22,300 MSRP and is rated at 23 mpg combined.
It makes 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 168 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (23 mpg combined).
The Sportage measures 174.8 inches long on a 103.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,355 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $22,300 ($31,566 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $23,100 ($32,698 *) |
| Destination Charge | $800 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Theta II G4KE 2.4L DOHC inline-4, MPI, Dual-CVVT, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 176 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 168 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (163 lb-ft SULEV) rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 16-valve with Dual-CVVT |
| Bore and Stroke | 88.0 x 97.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Injection Type | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive |
| Differential Type | Dynamax all-wheel drive with locking center differential |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic with Sportmatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 20 MPG |
| Highway | 27 MPG |
| Combined | 23 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut with coil spring and gas shock absorber |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with gas shock absorber |
| Turning Diameter | 34.7 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 11.8 in ventilated disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | 11.2 in solid disc |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 17 in |
| Wheels Rear | 17 in |
| Tires Front | 225/60R17 |
| Tires Rear | 225/60R17 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 174.8 in |
| Width | 73 in |
| Height | 64.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in |
| Front Track | 63.5 in |
| Rear Track | 63.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.77 in |
| Approach Angle | 28.1° |
| Departure Angle | 28.2° |
| Cargo Volume | 26.1 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,355 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.1 in |
| Headroom Rear | 38.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.4 in |
| Legroom Rear | 37.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.7 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55.1 in |
| Hip Room Front | 53.7 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 49.1 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2012 Kia Sportage LX AWD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (15.5 % risk) |
Other tested variants (1)
- 2012 Kia Sportage SUV FWD: 4 ★ overall
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia SPORTAGE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sep 25, 2023 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE Park outside
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
NHTSA campaign 23V652000
Dec 2, 2020 · ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
NHTSA campaign 20V750000
Feb 15, 2019 · ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.
NHTSA campaign 19V101000
Dec 19, 2018 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
NHTSA campaign 18V907000
Mar 31, 2017 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Consequence: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
NHTSA campaign 17V224000
392 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Kia SPORTAGE
Owner Complaints
392 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia SPORTAGE (7 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 7 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine | 328 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Power Train | 21 |
| Hydraulic | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 KIA SPORTAGE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.