2019 Kia Sportage Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The compact SUV category has many quality vehicles. The compact SUV is a great mix of efficiency and versatility. Most of the compact SUVs available offer good fuel efficiency from a four cylinder engine, and while drivers aren't going to win many drag races they can get around town and haul cargo just fine. They are also well suited for city driving and squeezing into parking spaces. The added room that a compact SUV offers both for passengers as well as cargo makes them a comfortable choice over a compact or even mid sized car.

The Kia Sportage offers a lot of great options for buyers looking for a compact SUV. The Sportage seats five comfortably and offers two capable four cylinder engines. Buyers have their choice of three trim levels; the base LX, the EX and the SX Turbo. The SX Turbo trim level is where buyers get access to the turbo charged engine. All three trim levels offer add on packages and all wheel drive capability for an extra fee.

This article aims to break down all of the possible configurations for all three trim levels. The differences are significant and buyers will be able to make a better choice when shopping for a Kia Sportage.

 

Compare the 2019 Kia Sportage LX vs EX Trims. What is the difference?

The LX is the base trim level for the Kia Sportage. It features a 181 horsepower four cylinder engine and front wheel drive. The front wheel drive LX gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The LX is also equipped with a six speed Sportmatic automatic transmission. Buyers can upgrade to Dynamax full time all wheel drive for $l,500 at any trim level. The full time AWD system lowers fuel economy to 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. It is also an advanced AWD system that automatically shifts power from wheel to wheel when the road conditions demand it.

Even without the AWD system, the Sportage is a capable all season vehicle. It offers traction control, vehicle stability control and electronic stability control. Every Sportage also comes standard with electronic brake force distribution and a brake assist system.

The LX is available in six exterior colors; Clear White, Sparkling Silver, Mineral Silver, Steel Gray, Pacific Blue and Burnished Copper. Two additional colors are available for a small fee. Buyers can get Hyper Red for just under $300 and Black Cherry for just under $400.

The LX features matte black and chrome grille and chrome window trim for the exterior. It also comes with 17" alloy wheels. The LX also has a rear spoiler, LED daytime running lights and projector beam headlights.

The interior of the LX features cloth seating in either Black or Gray. It is also trimmed in leatherette materials that make the interior more luxurious and upscale. The driver seat is six way adjustable and the 60/40 rear bench seat features recline capabilities. It also features a USB input jack and a 12 volt household power outlet.

The LX also comes standard with a five inch touchscreen infotainment system and backup camera. It also has Bluetooth and steering wheel mounted controls for audio and cruise control. The audio system is a six speaker setup with Sirius XM as well as AM/FM/MP3.
It also offers standard keyless entry and air conditioning.

There is one add on package for the Kia Sportage LX. The LX Popular package adds a laundry list of features including both exterior and interior upgrades. The interior gets outfitted with a seven inch color touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has dual zone climate control with a cluster ionizer. The seats are covered in premium Tricot cloth, and the driver's seat offers power adjustment with lumbar support. Both front seats are heated.

The exterior of the Sportage LX with the Popular package is equipped with a windshield de-icer that keeps wipers free of ice and snow and solar glass that keeps the interior of the LX cool on sunny days. It also comes with roof rack rails for added convenience when hauling cargo.

While the LX offers a low base price and an add on package, the EX includes all of the standard and add on features of the LX and also adds additional standard and optional equipment. Buyers can step up to the EX for a modest increase in price. The EX is priced less than $3,000 more than the base trim.

The EX offers upgraded exterior equipment standard on all EX vehicles. The EX comes with heated, power folding mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators. It also has projector beam fog lights and 18 inch alloy wheels.

The EX also has SmartKey technology that offers keyless entry as well as push button start. The interior features standard leather seating and gloss black interior accents. The steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped in leather.

The EX has also been equipped with driver assist technology. The standard features include blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert.

Buyers not satisfied with the upgrades in the EX have access to three add on packages. The EX Sport Appearance package gives the EX a more sporty feel with 18” chrome gray wheels. The exterior features satin chrome accents on the grill, side sill and window trim. It also has metal colored front and rear skid plates to make it look more rugged. Buyers also get LED fog lights and taillights.

The interior is outfitted with a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and alloy lined pedals. The interior is capped off with the exclusive Cool Gray leather seating.

The EX Premium package adds more luxury to the Sportage EX and can be added without the EX Sport Appearance package. The features of the EX Premium package include a panoramic power sunroof and LED interior lighting. The EX Premium package also adds an auto dimming rear view mirror and the Homelink wireless remote system. This system allows users to operate garage doors and other home based electronic systems. It also includes a heated steering wheel for comfort while driving on cold days.

The final package for the Sportage EX can be added to the Premium package and is called the EX Technology package. Buyers get emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane departure warning and auto dimming high beams.

The EX Technology package also upgrades the infotainment and audio system. Buyers get an eight inch touchscreen and premium voice command navigation. The audio system includes HD radio that can be enjoyed on the eight speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound audio system.

The EX Technology package also includes ventilated front seats and power adjustment for the passenger seat. It also equips the Sportage with a hands free programmable liftgate.

Compare the 2019 Sportage EX vs SX Turbo Trims. What is the difference?

The Sportage EX sticks to the base engine and has plenty of additional features compared to the LX, but the SX Turbo adds turbocharged driving excitement and includes almost every upgrade available for the EX.

The SX Turbo has a 240 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder engine that really adds acceleration and driving excitement to the Sportage. It gets 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The AWD changes the fuel economy to 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

The exterior includes Bi-Xenon HID projector headlights and the ornamental skid plates. The SX Turbo also has dual exhaust with chrome tips and 19 inch wheels.

As far as standard equipment on the SX Turbo, excluding the Cool Gray leather interior, it has been outfitted with every upgrade option available at the EX trim level. It also includes an electric parking brake and a color LCD instrument cluster.

 

Final Thoughts

Both the LX and EX trim levels for the 2019 Kia Sportage are excellent choices for buyers looking for a compact SUV. Many buyers will look at the LX due to its low starting price, excellent warranty and high quality exterior. The LX also offers an upgrade package to give the buyer some additional quality features without tacking too much onto the final price. For a paltry $1,300 buyers gain access to a larger touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and even windshield de-icing.

Buyers with a little more room to work on the price will undoubtedly find that the EX trim level also offers some good options. The EX is only priced about $3,000 above the base trim and offers leather seating and all of the upgrades available in the LX Popular package. It also adds in driver assistance technology and offers three reasonably priced add on packages for buyers to consider. With all of the options, the LX offers a good mix of value and luxury.

Buyers looking to upgrade to the turbocharged engine will have to pay quite a bit for it. The SX Turbo costs about $7,000 more than the EX. It is definitely a more exciting driving experience, but the added expense may drive many buyers away.