Searching for a new car is never an easy process. You're bound to get bogged down in numerous options, trim levels, and special packages if you wade through the market without a curated selection and an idea of what model you plan on looking at first. If Kia has caught your eye, then you find yourself staring at a double-edged sword because finding a good Kia Sportage for sale seems simple enough until you quickly discover that you have seven different excellent trim levels available, which can be a bit overwhelming if you try to look at them all at once. Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to help you determine which is right for you. Let’s look at each trim of the Kia Sportage to see what they offer and find you the perfect one.
2025 Kia Sportage LX
The LX is the starting trim for the Sportage, giving you all the standard features that the rest of these models build upon. Powered by a 2.5L engine that delivers 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, the starting powertrain for the Sportage boasts an eight-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel drive (FWD) capability. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available for this trim if you’re looking for enhanced traction and overall performance, and regardless of your configuration, the Sportage comes standard with a selection of drive modes for a variety of situations, including Normal, Sport, and Smart modes (and Snow on select trims). 17-inch wheels are standard on the LX trim, plus you get LED projector headlights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, and a manual rear liftgate.
Looking inside, the LX comes with standard air conditioning, a six-way manual driver’s seat, a four-way manual front passenger's seat, and woven cloth seating. You get a 12.2-inch driver display, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker sound system, and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The LX also comes with impressive safety technology, including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKA), and a Driver Attention Warning (DAW). A Reverse Park Distance Warning (PDW-R) system is standard, along with a comprehensive airbag system, Hill Start Assist, and much more to make driving your Sportage safe and easy each day.
2025 Kia Sportage EX
If you’re looking for a number of nice upgrades without going overboard, then the EX trim is the perfect choice and one that we recommend for most customers as an ideal starting point. The EX has 18-inch wheels for a bolder stance and the same overall performance as the standard model, with AWD still available. Inside, this trim has numerous enhancements, starting with dual-zone auto climate control designed to keep you and your passengers more comfortable. You also get a 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar, plus heated front seats that are perfect for cold winter mornings. SynTex seating is standard in the EX, which is both comfortable and incredibly durable, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. You get remote start functionality that includes pre-cooling and heating through the Kia app on your phone and a wireless charger for compatible devices.
2025 Kia Sportage X-Line
Numerous features set the X-Line model apart from the first two we looked at, introducing many style changes that will become more common as we ascend the trim ladder. First and foremost, it comes with standard AWD rather than FWD, which makes this model a great one to start with if you know you want AWD with some added enhanced features beyond what we’ve seen so far. This model comes with some distinct styling details like Gloss Black exterior features and exclusive 19-inch wheels for an aggressive stance. Inside, you’ll find new-and-improved X-Line SynTex seating, plus the same great technology that you get with the EX model, rounding out to a solid, stylish upgrade to the EX.
2025 Kia Sportage SX
If you’re not interested in AWD performance, then the SX model is more of a direct upgrade to the EX than the X-Line, giving you FWD and many upgrades to enjoy while driving. You get a smart power rear liftgate on the SX that opens automatically as you approach with the key fob, plus you can adjust its height level for easy clearance while keeping it within reach. 18-inch wheels are standard on the SX, along with a number of gorgeous exterior details that we saw introduced with the X-Line. Kia provides navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go for the SX model, which makes highway driving less stressful. You get a two-position Integrated Memory System (IMS) for the driver's seat, which makes it easier to share your Sportage SX with another driver without compromising your seat placement, plus a panoramic sunroof and a remarkable eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system to bring smooth luxury to your drive.
2025 Kia Sportage SX Prestige
One of the best options available for the Sportage, the SX Prestige builds on what we just saw with the SX and lives up to its name. Although AWD is available (unlike the SX), you still get standard FWD, and you get 19-inch wheels in Gloss Black on this model. The SX Prestige also includes LED fog lights, LED rear combination taillights, and enhanced safety features like a 360-degree Surround View Monitor that gives you greater vision around your vehicle while maneuvering at low speeds. Notable standard features include an eight-way power adjustable passenger's seat in this model, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Premium SynTex seating that’s incredibly comfortable to the touch.
2025 Kia Sportage X-Pro
The Sportage X-Pro is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a compact SUV that’s more rugged and adventurous than many would expect an SUV to be. This one comes with AWD, including additional multi-terrain drive modes unavailable on the lower-level trims. These drive modes are explicitly tuned for enhanced traction and control with all-terrain tires, so it should come as no surprise that the X-Pro also features 17-inch wheels wrapped in exclusive all-terrain tires. You'll also get Gloss Black exterior details, including standard front and rear skid plates to protect the underside of your Sportage. The X-Pro has many of the same excellent standard features as the SX, with the addition of a heated windshield, heated steering wheel, stainless-steel pedals, and distinct X-Pro SynTex seating that you won’t find on the SX trim.
2025 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige
Finally, we have the X-Pro Prestige, which builds on the features of the X-Pro in much the same way that the SX Prestige adds to the SX model. This one comes with AWD, including multi-terrain drive modes, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and Gloss Black details with the addition of LED rear combination taillights. Kia gives this model enhanced safety systems like the 360-degree Surround View Monitor, plus you get an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat and ventilated front seats to go with a heated windshield and X-Pro SynTex seating. The result is a model combining the best of other trims to create the pinnacle trim of the Sportage, the best that Kia offers.
We’ll Find You the Perfect Kia Sportage
Although the LX trim certainly keeps things simple with its standard features, we like the EX as a better place to start when looking at the Sportage due to its convenient upgrades. The X-Line is a fine choice if you want something to get you to your favorite campsite without going to a much higher tier, while the X-Pro models are better options for rugged outdoor capabilities with plenty of comfort and advanced tech. Finally, the SX gives you some nice upgrades over the EX, while the SX Prestige is your pinnacle trim if you’re not interested in off-road potential or adventurous capabilities.
So, which one of these trims is right for you? That depends entirely on what you’re looking for in your next vehicle. If you’re still unsure which of these models has what you need, we’re here at Parkway Family Kia to help you explore everything the Sportage has to offer and make sure you find one that you love!