The new Kia Sportage has unexpectedly dropped in price: how much does the crossover cost in Europe and what versions are being imported

The new Kia Sportage has unexpectedly dropped in price: how much does the crossover cost in Europe and what versions are being imported

The Russian automobile market has received a large shipment of new fifth-generation Kia Sportages. Despite the lack of official deliveries, the popular Korean crossover continues to enter the country through alternative import channels. Moreover, buyers have access not only to pre-facelift models, but also to updated versions that appeared after the model’s modernization.

Judging by listings on major automotive classifieds, the minimum price for a new Kia Sportage is 3.35 million rubles. This price is primarily for front-wheel drive cars with turbocharged engines. However, the price range is quite wide: depending on the year of manufacture, powertrain, trim level, city of sale and delivery terms, the cost can exceed 5 million rubles.

Thus, the Sportage remains an interesting option for buyers who are considering an alternative to Chinese crossovers in the price range from 3.5 to 5 million rubles.

How much does a new Kia Sportage cost before the restyling

The most affordable offers are for pre-restyling fifth-generation cars. A 2026 crossover with front-wheel drive, a 1.5-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 200 hp is listed for sale in Barnaul for 3.35 million rubles. and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

In Yekaterinburg, for a similar price, they are offering a 2024 car with a different power unit: a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 180 hp and a robotic transmission.

The difference between these offers shows why, when choosing an imported Sportage, you should not focus solely on the year of manufacture and price. Under one name, cars with different technical characteristics are presented on the Russian market, which can differ significantly in driving experience and maintenance features.

Other offers are as follows:

  • 3.45 million rubles – front-wheel drive versions with a 200-horsepower engine in Krasnodar and Samara;
  • 3.55 million rubles – a similar crossover in Simferopol;
  • 3.6 million rubles – offers in Naberezhnye Chelny;
  • 3.7 million rubles – cars in Astrakhan and Kazan;
  • 3.79 million rubles – options in Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar.

In Moscow, the minimum price of a pre-restyling Sportage with a 200-horsepower turbo engine is about 3.98 million rubles.

At the same time, in St. Petersburg, a different modification is offered for 3.6 million rubles: a two-liter naturally aspirated engine with a capacity of 150 hp, a six-speed classic automatic and front-wheel drive.

In Saratov, a more powerful version with a two-liter turbo engine with 236 hp, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is also available. This is a particularly interesting option in terms of dynamics, but before purchasing, you should clarify the origin of the car, its equipment and the terms of payment of the recycling fee applicable to it.

The updated Kia Sportage can also be purchased for less than 4 million rubles

The restyling of the fifth generation did not lead to a radical change in the price picture. The updated Kia Sportage is also presented in Russia at a relatively wide price range.

One of the most affordable offers is posted in Krasnodar: the car is sold for 3.495 million rubles. In Rostov-on-Don and Samara, the updated crossover is priced at 3.75 million rubles, and in Moscow, Lipetsk and Simferopol – about 3.8 million rubles.

Prices at large dealers are usually higher. Front-wheel drive cars with a 1.5-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 200 hp and an eight-speed automatic cost approximately 3.89-4.35 million rubles.

All-wheel drive versions with a two-liter naturally aspirated engine with a capacity of 150 hp are asked already 4.599-5.5 million rubles.

Such a range is explained not only by the configuration. The final price is affected by import costs, customs clearance, recycling fee, logistics, the seller’s commercial markup and the warranty provided by them.

What is the expensive Kia Sportage equipped with?

In the most expensive versions, the Sportage offers a fairly rich equipment, which allows it to compete with well-equipped Chinese crossovers.

The list of equipment includes:

  • matrix LED head optics;
  • 19-inch alloy wheels;
  • digital instrument panel with a 12.3-inch screen;
  • multimedia system with a 10.25-inch display;
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support;
  • head-up display;
  • wireless smartphone charging;
  • surround view camera;
  • six airbags;
  • panoramic roof with electric sunroof;
  • ventilation and electric adjustment of front seats;
  • three-zone climate control with air ionization;
  • interior contour lighting with 64 shades;
  • retractable thresholds with illumination.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the listed equipment is not standard for all cars. Chinese versions of the Sportage may differ from cars intended for other markets, so the equipment of a specific example should be checked against the VIN and documents.

Is it worth buying a Kia Sportage instead of a Chinese crossover?

The appearance of the Sportage at a price of 3.35 million rubles makes it a noticeable competitor to Chinese models. In this budget, the buyer can consider Haval, Geely, Chery and other brands officially represented in Russia.

Kia has several potential advantages. It is a recognizable model with familiar ergonomics, a fairly spacious interior, a good level of equipment and extensive experience operating the Sportage on the Russian market. Moreover, the Korean brand retains a certain appeal for buyers who don’t want to switch to a less familiar brand.

However, there are also significant limitations.

Firstly, the cars are imported as alternatives. This means that warranty terms depend on the specific seller, and not on the official Kia representative office in Russia.

Secondly, differences in engines and transmissions require careful checking. Turbocharged engines, robotic gearboxes, and classic automatic transmissions have different maintenance features. It is impossible to automatically assume that all Sportage models offered are equal in terms of reliability and cost of ownership.

Thirdly, it is necessary to find out in advance the availability of original spare parts, their delivery times, and repair costs. For an imported car, this may be more important than the difference in the initial price.

Engine power deserves special attention. Different conditions apply for cars imported by individuals and cars registered with the payment of a commercial recycling fee. Therefore, before purchasing a version with a capacity of 180, 200 or 236 hp. It is worth checking the customs scheme and all payments already included in the price.

What to check before buying an imported Sportage

The buyer should ask the seller for the VIN of the car, documents on origin and customs clearance, information on the payment of the recycling fee and confirmation of the final price.

It is especially important to clarify:

  1. What kind of engine is installed and what is its actual power.
  2. What kind of gearbox is used – a classic automatic or a robot.
  3. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is provided for by the design.
  4. Does the declared configuration correspond to the factory specifications.
  5. Who will be responsible for warranty obligations.
  6. Does the price include all mandatory payments and registration of an electronic PTS?

If the car is sold to order, it is necessary to formalize the terms of the contract. The price indicated in the ad may be preliminary and may change due to the exchange rate, logistics, and customs costs.

New Kia Sportage are delivered to order

In addition to cars from stock, Russian companies offer delivery of new Sportage from abroad. According to ads, some cars are ready to be delivered in approximately one to two weeks. However, this period should be taken as a guideline, and not an unconditional guarantee.

Prices for custom cars are usually calculated individually. They are affected by the exchange rate, the country of origin, shipping costs, customs duties, recycling fees, and additional intermediary costs.

Bottom line: the new fifth-generation Kia Sportage remains an affordable alternative to Chinese crossovers, based on starting prices starting from 3.35 million rubles. However, an attractive price alone does not guarantee a good deal. Before signing a contract, it is most important to check the engine, transmission, equipment, legal purity of import and the actual cost of the car, taking into account all mandatory payments.