2023 Kia Sportage GT-Line Review

Sitting at the top of the Sportage lineup, the GT-Line comes fully loaded with comfort, entertainment and safety features, as well as a choice of two engines.

It doesn’t come cheap, though, commanding a $20,000 premium over the entry-level Kia Sportage, so let’s take a look at the GT-Line variant to see if the upgrade is worth the money, or if there’s a better variant in the range.

Kia Sportage Competition

Starting Price: $52,720

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Kia Sportage GT-Line range is priced from $52,720 for the turbo-petrol 1.6T AWD variant, while the 2.0D AWD diesel is priced at $52,370.

Keep in mind that these prices do not include on-road costs and are subject to change. 

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Kia Sportage - GT-LINE (AWD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Kia Sportage car page.

What Features Does the Kia Sportage GT-Line Have?

The Kia Sportage GT-Line comes with a long features list atop the equipment you’ll find in the entry-level S, SX and SX+ variants.

The list of GT-Line features includes a set of 19-inch alloys, heated and ventilated leather seats, Bi-LED headlights, LED fog lights and tail lights, an electric boot lift, keyless entry & start, ambient interior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, a surround-view camera, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto which is paired with an eight-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.

Range Features:

• 19-inch alloys

• Heated & ventilated leather seats

• Bi-LED headlights, LED fog lights and tail lights

• Electric boot lift

• Ambient interior lighting

• Panoramic sunroof

• Surround-view camera

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

• 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• Eight-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system

Is the Kia Sportage GT-Line Comfortable to Drive?

Under the bonnet, the Kia Sportage GT-Line comes packing a choice of a petrol and a diesel engine option.

You’ve got the option of a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol producing 132kW/265Nm, or a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel kicking up 137kW/416Nm, with the added torque premium making the diesel a worthy upgrade.

For those curious about towing figures, the Kia Sportage GT-Line in petrol form has braked towing caps of 1650kg, while the diesel offers a significant bump up to 1900kg, making it the more versatile choice of the two engines.

On the road, there’s not a huge difference between the two, though the added torque does make the Sportage’s sprint up to speed a little bit more effortless.

“With superior torque figures and added braked towing capacities, the turbo-diesel engine is our preferred powerplant for the Sportage GT-Line.” Glynn - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

Thankfully, Kia has taken the time to redesign the Sportage’s suspension system for Australian roads, which makes a huge difference when you leave smooth city streets and head out to the country roads.

Around town, the suspension is supportive and compliant on bumps, driveways and irregularities, while remaining smooth enough for a fairly refined ride quality.

It’s a strong performer on a daily drive around town, where the Sportage is particularly user-friendly, smooth and comfortable, while remaining easy to navigate tight spots and squeezing into car parks.

When you leave town, the suspension offers a decent amount of hold and confidence on higher-speed bends, and when combined with the AWD system, the Sportage feels safe and planted, even on rougher surfaces.

All up, the Sportage GT-Line is a very impressive package as a comfortable daily commuter and a confidence-inspiring long-distance tourer that is perfect for family road trips.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Kia’s turbocharged petrol engine is rated at 7.2L/100km on a combined cycle, which drops to 6.3L/100km in the Sportage GT-Line with the turbo-diesel engine.

This makes the diesel the more fuel-efficient option, while adding a significant torque bonus that makes it the more powerful option for towing.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Kia knows that the majority of its Sportage vehicles are going to be put to the family test, and the company has responded with a very cleverly-designed and practical cabin.

Up front, the driver and front passenger pick up a set of heated and ventilated, leather-upholstered seats with some suede highlights that make it feel particularly premium and well-appointed, with acres of headroom that make it feel spacious, even for taller drivers.

The front of the cabin is dominated by a pair of large 12.3-inch displays, with a set of funky air vents wrapping their way to the windows, and a clever touchscreen display that controls climate and infotainment inputs.

This arrangement has freed up some real estate in the centre console, which houses a large storage tray at the base of the dash, a pair of retractable cup holders that converts to an added storage area, space inside the folding armrest and two large door bins on either side of the cabin.

“The Sportage GT-Line offers an impressive blend of premium features and an exceptionally practical interior design that is perfect for growing Aussie families.” Craig - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

Move to the rear of the cabin and there’s an impressive amount of headroom, even with the panoramic sunroof sitting on top.

This means the second row of the Sportage is more than up to the task of accommodating adult passengers in the rear, and will keep complaints from those seated in the second row to a minimum thanks to the clever reclining design feature.

Creature comforts in the second row include a set of air vents and charging points, a centre armrest with a pair of cupholders, and even a spot for smartphones behind the first row’s headrests.

The Sportage GT-Line is fitted with two ISOFIX anchor points on each of the outboard seats, as well as top tether mounts for forward- and rear-facing child seats.

Finally, the impressive practicality package is rounded out by a sizable 543L of boot space, which expands to 1820L with the rear seats folded to help accommodate sports equipment and bulky items.

Is it Safe?

The Kia Sportage GT-Line has picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing in 2022, making it a particularly safe midsize SUV option.

As standard, the Sportage GT-Line picks up autonomous emergency braking with junction, pedestrian and cyclist assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assistance and a surround-view camera.

Our Verdict: Is The Kia Sportage GT-Line Worth it?

It might not come cheap, though the Sportage in range-topping GT-Line form comes so well-equipped that few buyers will be feeling short-changed after their purchase.

While we think that the mid-range SX+ variant is a particular sweet spot within the Sportage range, if you’re looking for a premium yet attainable midsize SUV package, the GT-Line is a great option.

If you’re simply looking for the best engine option, the SX+ with the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is our pick of the Sportage bunch, though it misses out on many of the GT-Line’s luxurious extras.

Struggling to wrap your head around the crowded midsize SUV segment? Let one of our car buying specialists take the stress out of the buying process and help find you a great price.

Five Kia Sportage GT-Line Specs You Need to Know

1. Turbo-petrol & turbo-diesel engine options

2. Seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

4. 543L boot space

5. 7.2L/100km fuel economy (petrol) 6.3L/100km (diesel)