The new Sportage just became the leader in 2024 sales in the UK and it’s also winning the market in lots of European countries. So, it’s time to look under the hood and see if there is something good waiting for you.
The vehicle is powered by the 1.6 Turbo engines in the UK. Basically, all versions come with the same turbocharged Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi engine but the codes differ for hybrid and non-hybrid versions.
So, there is the G4FP engine for the non-hybrid Sportage and the G4FT or G4FU for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Kia offers three versions with hybrid powerplants: mild-hybrid, HEV, and PHEV.
Let’s see if the heart of this vehicle, which is its engine, is durable and reliable.
The 1.6 Turbo engine in the Sportage’s engine bay
This is the 4-cylinder petrol engine with a turbocharger that has a pretty small displacement of 1.6 liters but astonishing power and torque. This makes your new Sportage feel great and be fun to drive.
Here are some key facts about the petrol engine which powers all four powertrains in the new Sportage:
- 6 liters, turbocharger, petrol-driven, 157 bhp of power in the weakest version, 4 valves per cylinder;
- the engine has direct injection, so it will bother you with some carbon buildup from time to time;
- the timing system is completely new – it’s called CVVD and it’s too early to say anything about its durability;
- the camshafts are driven by the timing chain, but don’t expect it will last forever;
- there are no hydraulic lifters which is surprising, so you will need to adjust the valves sometimes;
- the real-life consumption in the non-hybrid Sportage is about 8 L/100 km in the city and 6 L/100 km on highways (35-47 MPG UK).
The engine is more or less simple but the CVVD is the unknown system, so we’ll see later how long it lasts. The complicated timing system raises some questions about the timing chain. Will it last long enough? No answer for now.
Here are the versions that are available, according to Kia’s official website:
- non-hybrid 157 bhp version;
- 48V mild-hybrid option with the same 157 bhp;
- HEV with the small 1.49 kWh battery pack for full-hybrid operation (no electric range, no charging) with 212 bhp;
- PHEV with larger 13.8 kWh high-voltage battery pack with charging option and claimed 34 miles of all-electric range, rated at 248 bhp.
What version will you want to buy?
As far as I know, there are almost no non-hybrid Sportage models available for purchase. So, if you just need the petrol version with some economy at the start-stop feature, you may want to choose the 48V mild-hybrid. This is basically the petrol version with a trickier alternator.
The HEV will be good for those who want to save some money on fuel but still don’t want to charge the vehicle using a socket. Your engine will charge the Sportage’s battery pack and you will just get a certain economy.
If you want a bridge between electric vehicles and ICE cars, you may consider the plug-in hybrid option. I believe the all-electric range is very exaggerated, in real life, you will get something like 20-25 miles. But still, this can turn the Sportage into almost an EV with the backup option of ICE under the hood.
Want something more conventional? Check the available powertrains in the Kuga.
How long will the 1.6 Smartstream Turbo engine last?
Well, for now, it’s almost a wild guess because there are still no such engines with high mileage on their odometers. But I believe the engine is going to last about 250,000 kilometers or 155,000 miles.
Based on the experience with other Kia engines, this one doesn’t seem worse. Also, the turbocharger was replaced with a completely new one and this model seems to be pretty reliable.
The CVVD is questionable but it shouldn’t affect the actual lifespan of the engine. It may still cause some extra expenses if it proves to be faulty. But it shouldn’t kill the engine or something.
But when it comes to battery packs, things become a little less optimistic. The tiny battery pack in the HEV will require replacement at about 150,000 kilometers or 90,000 miles. The PHEV battery pack may live longer depending on the way of using the car. But it’s still not going to last forever. And changing the battery is pretty expensive.
Also, the transmission may spoil your mood. If you choose the manual one, there are no concerns, it’s going to last longer than the entire car. But the 7-speed DCT is not that predictable. This is the D7UF1 transmission with two dry clutches that can sometimes last long enough but if it fails, you will be shocked by the repair costs.
What are the common expected problems with the 1.6 T-GDi engine in the Sportage?
Since all modifications of the new Sportage come with this petrol engine, I will concentrate on its common problems in this section. Unfortunately, I can’t predict all the issues that owners will have to deal with as the engine is very fresh. But some things seem to be very obvious.
Here they are:
1. The valves will get dirty
Intake valves will not get any fuel to clean them, so after 2-3 years, you will feel power loss, harsh engine work, and other common issues of clogged valves.
This is the standard problem of any direct-injection engine, so you better use a good cleaner once a year to avoid thick buildup on the valves. This will save you some time before the valves require professional cleaning.
2. No hydraulic lifters
Almost all new engines come with hydraulic lifters and you won’t need to adjust the valves regularly. In these engines, valve adjustment is needed. And it’s not as easy as you may think. This procedure will cost you some money. Fortunately, the interval is really large – about 60,000 miles or 90,000 kilometers.
3. Timing chain issues
Kia has thin timing chains and they don’t seem to be better in these engines. Unfortunately, after about 100,000 miles or 150,000 kilometers, you may start hearing some rattling. This is a clear sign that the chain requires urgent replacement.
Chains are not that expensive but you will need the entire kit. Also, at this mileage, the expensive phasers may require attention. So, the engine service at this mileage may eventually be extremely expensive.
4. Potential oil consumption
As in many other Kia engines, the oil will start burning at about 50,000 miles or 80,000 kilometers and this problem will get worse gradually. My only hope is the new turbocharger because in older turbo Hyundai engines it’s exactly the turbo that causes this problem at low mileage.
But there are other things that will still cause some oil consumption like valve seals and piston rings. Unfortunately, they don’t last as much as we want them to.
How can you prolong the life of this engine in your Sportage?
The more verified information about this engine is yet to come. But from what we have right now, I can assume that to prolong the lifespan of this engine, you will need to do the following:
- don’t experiment with oil quality and type – better buy OEM oil and filter;
- to avoid turbocharger death, you may want to change the oil more often, at least till we get more information about how good this turbo is;
- also, you need to pay attention to the timing chain health – when the engine starts rattling, urgent repair is needed;
- once every two years and later once every year, you need to clean the valves with good cleaners to avoid professional cleaning which may cost quite a lot;
- don’t experiment with fuel quality – bad petrol will affect the expensive high-pressure fuel pump and will contaminate the injectors.
Other than that, remember that this engine, even though it’s pretty powerful is not ready for aggressive driving. You should avoid sharp acceleration till the engine is fully warmed up.
Instead of the verdict, I can say that the 1.6 Smartstream T-GDi is not a bad option and it’s much better than previous generations of Hyundai-Kia engines. But it requires some attention to last long and requires little maintenance. The engine resembles the 1.5 VC Turbo in the X-Trail but the Kia engine is probably going to last more.
Do you have experience with this engine or had a problem with it? Write in the comments below!
