What Octane Gasoline Should the New Sportage Use?
3 Answers
The minimum fuel grade required for all Sportage models is 92 octane. Introduction to Gasoline: Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid derived from the distillation and cracking of petroleum, used as fuel. It appears as a transparent liquid, is combustible, with a distillation range of 30°C to 220°C, and primarily consists of C5-C12 aliphatic hydrocarbons, cycloalkanes, and a certain amount of aromatic hydrocarbons. Gasoline Grades: Gasoline has a high octane number (anti-knock combustion performance) and is classified into grades such as 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 97, and 98 based on octane levels. Starting from January 2012, the gasoline grades 90, 93, and 97 were revised to 89, 92, and 95.
I specialize in automotive research, and when driving the new Kia Sportage, I always insist on using 87-octane unleaded gasoline, as recommended by the official manual. The Sportage's engine is ingeniously designed to run smoothly on lower-octane fuel, while higher grades like 92 or 95 octane may actually be incompatible, potentially causing knocking issues that could damage pistons or fuel injectors. If you take shortcuts or mistakenly use higher-octane fuel, fuel consumption may slightly increase, and prolonged use could lead to excessive emissions—both environmentally unfriendly and a waste of money. Before refueling, it's best to check the manual or consult a professional technician, especially since fuel standards vary by region, and driving in mountainous areas has a greater impact. Remember, safety comes first—don't take risks.
I drive the new Kia Sportage daily and have tried different fuel grades, finding 87 octane to be the most cost-effective. This car isn't a high-performance sports car—its engine is simple and practical. Using higher-grade fuel like 91 octane doesn't noticeably boost power but adds unnecessary expense, saving me dozens of dollars monthly for coffee. Always check fuel station quality, as poor-quality gas may clog injectors, making cleaning a hassle. I advise new owners not to rush switching grades—stick with 87 octane for a few months and track fuel consumption. Typically, 7-8L/100km is normal for mixed driving conditions.
