2012 Kia Sportage — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Kia Sportage is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) / 25 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 25–30 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Kia Sportage workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Kia Sportage: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 30 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 5★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 30 combined / 25 urban / 36 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 25 combined / 21 city / 30 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 221 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,700 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 6 configurations for the 2012 Kia Sportage across 2 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 21 to 25 mpg (US), or 25 to 30 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/25) | 251 | $3,050 |
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/28) | 230 | $2,800 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/27) | 240 | $2,900 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (21/30) | 221 | $2,700 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/25) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/27) | 240 | $2,900 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Kia Sportage
Running Costs: 2012 Kia Sportage
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Kia Sportage at 30 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,212 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,700 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Kia Sportage Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Kia Sportage (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Engine (2), Service brakes (1), Fuel system (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 23V652000, reported 25 September 2023. Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Engine — campaign 20V750000, reported 2 December 2020. Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Engine — campaign 19V101000, reported 15 February 2019. Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fuel system — campaign 18V907000, reported 19 December 2018. Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Showing the 4 most recent of 5 campaigns.
Owners have filed 392 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sportage. The most-reported areas are Engine (328), Electrical system (29), Unspecified (23). Complaints include 7 reported crashes, 16 reported fires, 10 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 132 complaints across the 17 Kia Sportage model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Kia Sportage
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (2 recall campaigns · 328 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (29 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (21 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Brakes (1 recall campaign) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Kia Sportage compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 30 mpg figure is 3 mpg better than that average. Its 221 g/km CO₂ figure is 32 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Kia models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Kia Sportage's 30 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 221 g/km CO₂ figure is 14 g/km higher than the 207 g/km Kia average.
Of the 17 Kia Sportage model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 9th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (30 mpg UK combined, against a high of 34 mpg). See every Kia Sportage year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Kia Sportage
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Kia Sportage have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2012 Kia Sportage: 2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.4L 4-cyl with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Kia Sportage?
The most efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, or 25 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 25 to 30 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Kia Sportage cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,700 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Kia Sportage have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Kia Sportage (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Engine (2), Service brakes (1), Fuel system (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Kia Sportage?
Among the 392 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (328 complaints), Electrical system (29 complaints), Unspecified (23 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Kia Sportage's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.