- Sportage wins overall What Car? used award.
- Also named Used Family SUV.
- Kia takes two of 12 categories.
- More than 38,000 UK registrations in 2026.
- Average 19 days to sell in September 2026.
What Car? has given its overall Used Car of the Year award to the Kia Sportage, which also took the Used Family SUV category. That gives the Korean brand two of the 12 categories in the annual awards, which the magazine launched in 2018 to help second-hand car buyers choose their next vehicle.
Sportage sales record in the UK
The SUV is currently the third best-selling new car in the UK in 2026, with more than 38,000 registrations recorded so far this year. Across five generations, 31 years and 34 different specifications, it has passed half a million lifetime UK sales.
Demand carries over to the second-hand market. Autotrader reported that the Sportage took an average of 19 days to sell in September 2026, placing it among the fastest-selling used cars in the UK.
First used title for the Kia Sportage
This is the first time the model has won Used Car of the Year. It has, however, been named Family SUV of the Year for four consecutive years in the publication’s annual Car of the Year Awards.
Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor of What Car?, called it “a terrific all-rounder; it’s good to drive, comfortable to ride in and extremely practical.” He added that used prices “are now temptingly low, too, and its reliability is looking good.”
Kia e-Niro recommended as a budget buy
The Sportage was not the only Kia to catch the judges’ attention. The e-Niro was recommended as a budget buy in the Used Electric SUV category, giving the brand recognition in the electric segment as well.
According to Pearson, no other car on this year’s shortlist came close to matching the all-round practicality and value of a used Sportage, which he described as having a well-equipped interior with plenty of room and a large boot.
Supplied by Newspress UK (Kia)
This story is based on aggregated news, press release(s) or other sources and was prepared with the help of AI tools, which can make mistakes. Prices, specifications, general information and availability may change, so confirm the details with the manufacturer, other news sources or a dealer.
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