Kia Sportage LX V6
The Kia Sportage LX was available with a V6 engine until 2011.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Kia Sportage LX is known for being a somewhat sluggish compact SUV, but it offers the perk of driving more like a car than a utility vehicle while still comfortably seating five people. Today’s 4-cylinder lineup is more powerful than earlier generations, but you can still get comparable power from the Kia Sportage LX V6, which was last available in the 2010 model year.
Although
Kia
took a while to get on its feet in North American markets, the Sportage LX V6 was ultimately a well-regarded vehicle, though it isn’t the best in its class. The 2010 Kia Sportage LX V6 was an underdog in terms of safety scores and fuel economy when compared to its contemporary rivals, the Hyundai Tucson and the Toyota RAV4. However, both the Tucson and the RAV4 were priced higher than the Sportage LX, and remain more expensive today. If the Kia Sportage LX V6 is what fits your needs and your budget, then read on. Our guide has everything you need to know about the Kia Sportage LX V6, comparable builds to consider, and even how to find
cheap car insurance
for it!
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Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
2010 Kia Sportage LX V6
Starting price:$21,690
Average used price: $4,500 to $7,000
Engine: 2.7-liter V6 gas engine
Horsepower:173 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
0 to 60: 9.2 seconds
Manufacturers last produced a V6 version of the Kia Sportage LX in 2010, and while it offered some respectable standard features, it was no standout in terms of performance. Still, the Sportage LX V6 is a comfortable, smooth driving compact SUV with plenty of space for passengers and cargo. It was available with four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.
Other features of the 2010 Kia Sportage LX include:
- Entertainment options: Aside from the AM/FM radio and CD player, the Sportage came standard with satellite radio capabilities, auxiliary and USB jacks, and MP3 playback capabilities. While these sound like bare minimums today, these standard features were impressive for a base model in 2010.
- Safety features: The 2010 Sportage LX V6 also offered a nice suite of standard safety features, including six standard airbags with dual front, side, and curtain deployments; all-disc anti-lock brakes; and an electronic stability system.
- Exterior assets: Front and rear tow hooks, roof rails, and a front skid plate were all part of the Sportage LX V6 base trim.
The 2010 Kia Sportage LX V6 also had an optional remote engine start, trailer hitch receiver, running boards, and luggage rack add-ons.
How’s the fuel economy?
While the Kia Sportage LX V6 brought an impressive collection of standard features to its class, it lacked fuel economy when stacked against the competition. The front-wheel-drive LX V6 only gets 18 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. The four-wheel-drive version fared the same, though both showed improvement over prior years in the same generation of Sportages.
The 2008 Kia Sportage LX V6, for instance, got a measly 17 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway.
Which Kia Sportage models have the V6?
The
Kia Sportage EX
V6 featured the same engine as the LX, but it was priced about $3,000 higher than the base trim due to its enhanced standard features. These include a power tilting and sliding sunroof, heated rearview mirrors, upgraded interior materials, and 17-inch wheels. The Sportage LX V6 has 16-inch standard wheels. In terms of horsepower, mpg, and torque, the LX and EX are identical, and both V6 builds came with the option for front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
How fast is the Kia Sportage V6?
The short answer? It’s not very fast. Different reviewers tested the 2010 Kia Sportage V6’s 0-60 times with varying results, from 9.2 seconds to 10.7 seconds.
By comparison, it lags behind comparable models, which have the following 0-60 times:
- Honda CR-V:8.6 seconds
- Subaru Forester:8.5 seconds
- Mitsubishi Outlander: 9.3 seconds
- Honda Element: 9.7 seconds
The only other V6 mentioned above is the Mitsubishi Outlander. All the rest have 4-cylinder engines.
Key Takeaway The Kia Sportage V6 isn’t exceptional for its speed or power, but it falls right in the range of other compact SUVs.
Which is better: Sportage EX or LX?
The most recent EX and LX Kia Sportage trims to offer a V6 were those produced for the 2010 model year. The base LX model was available with a 4-cylinder or V6 engine, while the higher-trim EX was only available as a V6.
Both trim levels are much the same when it comes to speed and performance, but if you’re willing to drop the extra cash, the EX offers a little more in the way of comfort and style. The Kia Sportage EX V6 came with a better seat fabric and leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also featured a sunroof, bigger wheels, and heated rearview mirrors.
How to find affordable Kia Sportage insurance
Whether you end up buying a Kia Sportage V6 or something else, the car insurance comparison app
Jerry
should be your first stop when you’re ready to buy insurance coverage.Jerry is a
licensed broker
partnered with more than 50 insurance providers in order to provide you with a customized list of competitive quotes for car insurance. When you download the Jerry app, it only takes less than a minute to start shopping for insurance policies. There are no phone calls to make, no long packets of paperwork, and no pestering sales representatives. Jerry handles all the hard work for you, and you’ll never get a phone call unless you request one.
“Sometimes I get social anxiety, so chatting on the phone can be painful. WithJerry, I just used their app and everything went amazingly well. Super simple for my first time buying.” —Daisy V.
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FAQs
Does the Kia Sportage come in a V6?
It no longer does, but if you go back to model years 2010 and prior, you’ll find a V6 as standard for the EX and an option for the LX.
Are the older V6 builds more powerful than the 4-cylinder?
It’s actually the opposite. Today’s Kia Sportage LX front-wheel drive has more horsepower than the 2010 V6, even though it’s a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.
Does the Kia Sportage have AWD or 4WD?
It depends on the year you’re looking at. Just like the V6 engine, the four-wheel-drive option disappeared after the 2010 build and has since been replaced with all-wheel drive options. You can still get the Sportage with front-wheel drive, as well.
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