Kia Forum banner

Kia Sportage 2.0 or 2.4 help

12K views 21 replies 16 participants last post by  orm518  
#1 ·
Hello everyone.

I’m looking into possibly trading my Audi in for a Kia Sportage but have a few concerns. I was really looking for an SX with the turbo 2.0. But have only found a ton of horror stories about the engine. All kinds of problems including the spark plug issue. I want something reliable that I won’t have to always be at the dealer with fixing.

So is the 2.4 more reliable than the 2.0? Will I be better off going with the 2.4?

I’ve owned many turbo’d vehicles before so I know what they’re all about but haven’t heard much of the reliability of the Kia motors. All help is greatly appreciated.
 
#6 ·
Pretty much the way I was going to go. Always done that with my vehicles. I currently have two vehicles and would like to get into just one so I want it to last. I won’t be buying brand new so not sure how the warranty works with that. Would be from a dealer but not necessarily CPO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#4 ·
At this point in time, if you are going to worry about engine failures, there is no point in considering any kia vehicle at this time, as every single one of their power trains has recall issues underway right now. Be it Theta II engine main bearing failures, Nu engine platforms having catalytic converters running too hot causing engine failure , excessive oil consumption issues on v6 platforms, etc...

This also applies to virtually all carmakers today, as every single engine platform is capable of generating a percentage of failures. Since engines are mechanical, they are all capable of failing, thus all engines will fail, therefor you should not buy any car.

See how this logic ends in failure? LOL
 
  • Like
Reactions: floplop
#5 ·
Yes, it's like asking which restaurant would you eat at once you've worked in the kitchen :)

But FWIW, my turbo has been great for 14K miles. I would second the recommend for top-tier gas, along with full synthetic oil. Both of these are good insurance against engine issues and cost very little.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I have 55k km on a 17 2.0T

broke two plugs running 87 octane. Switched to premium at the advice of the service manager , (min 91) and so far after 44k km on that, not a single engine issue. YMMV.

Doesn't burn any oil between 8000 km full synthetic changes and runs like a proverbial top.
Sounds like a sewing machine at idle.

oh...and it is a blast to drive, far more fun than the 2.4

Remember, when you go online you fine all the complaints and problems.

Not many go online to say their car is trouble free for 100k miles,
 
#11 ·
My 2017 is still running fine , 43,000 miles so far. No broken plugs. Been running top tier 87 octane gas and pennzoil platinum synthetic oil the entire time, changes at 6,000 miles using kia filters
 
#12 ·
I have an EX at 15,000 miles. Working great with the exception of a couple of vibrations in the dash when going over certain types of roads. I chose the EX with the two option packages rather than the SX because of better mpg and slightly better ride. It's an SUV, not a race car, and it certainly has enough power to do what I want. The other factor, in 2017 when I bought the car, was that the 2.0 turbo was new and I almost never buy a new car with a totally new engine. That said, the turbo has been out a couple of years and I would trust it a lot more today. There is a greater chance you will have problems with the turbo over the 2.4, but those probabilities are low. Not sure I'd buy another Sportage today because I think the new CX-5 is a better car -- it wasn't a better car in 2017.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tasdisr
#14 ·
Any new car off the dealers lot will make vibration noises over the right road conditions.

2017 2.0 turbo, AWD. 28.5K trouble free Miles, regular gas and currently using dealer recommended oil. It's my first SUV and it's been a great vehicle. I cross shopped with everything in the segment at the time and this was the Sportiest/best value/best warranty/top safety scores. It's got all the bells and whistles that rivals some luxury brands in the same segment. The recent engine fires are worry some but go do your research and at least stay up to date with the latest news.
I don't recall any of the fires happening in Sportages.
 
#13 ·
2017 2.0 turbo, AWD. 28.5K trouble free Miles, regular gas and currently using dealer recommended oil. It's my first SUV and it's been a great vehicle. I cross shopped with everything in the segment at the time and this was the Sportiest/best value/best warranty/top safety scores. It's got all the bells and whistles that rivals some luxury brands in the same segment. The recent engine fires are worry some but go do your research and at least stay up to date with the latest news.
 
#20 ·
I have an SX turbo with AWD. Seriously consider the AWD because this turbo motor puts out 265 pound feet of torque at 1,850 RPM. If your traction control is off the front wheels go up in smoke at any WOT start. If traction is on the ECM pulls spark, then fuel, and shuts down the motor power. With the AWD you can get the power to the pavement. The 2.0 is much more powerful than the 2.4 NA motor. Plus, not advertised, but the Turbo motor is intercooled as well! Run good fuel and synthetic oil in the motor. Can't speak about longevity, but these motors have a 100K/mile warranty on them.
 
#21 ·
I've been running a 2012 Optima with a 2.0 turbo for 63k miles with almost zero problems. In fact, the only problem it has ever had was mechanic related vs. Engine related. I run normal 87 octane fuel and have never had a broken plug or a hiccup of any kind. I just make sure oil is changed regularly.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Adding my two cents, not because I have put a lot of miles on my '18 SX with the 2.0T, but because they have been HARD miles. No problems. I use full synthetic every 6,500 (this oil and interval is recommended by KIA, I believe, because of the turbo) and premium 93 octane (probably not necessary, but I do it for peace of mind).

I've had it for 14 months, just did my second oil change at about 13k miles, almost all in the city, many short trips with little warm-up. Neither my wife and I commute by car. Our commutes are 1) public transit from our block and 2) driving 2 miles to a train station to take commuter rail. The Sportage has done at least 150 of those short drives, plus hilly in-city stop and go for errands, etc. No issues.