Much quieter than the 2017, but the same engine and the same one-question test: how much oil does it use?

Oil consumption on this engine is not a nuisance, it is the first act. Theta II is the Hyundai-Kia four-cylinder family, here a 2.4-litre GDI — Gasoline Direct Injection — with a 2.0-litre turbo above it. Running low starves the connecting-rod bearings, the metal shells the piston rods spin on. Kia's free Product Improvement Campaign PI1802 covers all 2014 to 2018 Sportages with those engines and installs KSDS, the Knock Sensor Detection System, which listens for the vibration of early bearing wear. Kia's bulletin spells out what happens next: the engine warning light blinks continuously, the car enters Limp Home Mode, code P1326 is stored, and engine revs are capped at roughly 1,800 to 2,000. A companion bulletin, PI1802Y/Z, is literally titled engine replacement instructions for that code. One 2018 owner in the federal file describes the whole chain: "2.4L Theta II GDI engine suddenly triggered diagnostic trouble code P1326"; another, "engine failed. It was determined that low compression occurred due to the first cylinder failing." Have the car scanned for stored codes before you buy.

Worth saying plainly, because the Sportage is often shopped next to a Hyundai of the same age with far better coverage. Kia published a short-block warranty extension for the Sportage — engine block, crankshaft and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons — raised to 10 years or 120,000 miles and valid regardless of ownership changes. It covers 2011 to 2014 model years. Nothing in Kia's Sportage bulletin file extends engine coverage to a 2018. There is also no rod-bearing safety recall on any Sportage of this era; the engine recall people half-remember, 17V224, covers 2011 to 2013 cars. So on a 2018 the free things are the knock-sensor software and the diagnosis. The repair is yours.

Recall 21V137 covers 2017 to 2021 Sportages: the electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit — the HECU, the module that runs the anti-lock brakes — can short-circuit and start an engine-compartment fire. Kia advises parking outside until repaired; the fix is free fuses in the electrical junction box, plus a software update on cars with an electronic parking brake. Kia code SC206. Recall 22V703 covers 2017 to 2022 Sportages with a Kia tow-hitch harness, factory-fitted or dealer-installed: debris and moisture on the harness module's circuit board can short and cause a fire. Also park outside; free fuse and/or module replacement. Kia code SC249. Recall 18V907 applies only to Sportages that already received a replacement engine — the high-pressure fuel pipe may have been damaged or misaligned during that job, risking a leak and a fire. Free inspection, Kia code SC172. Given how many 2018 engines the complaint file shows being replaced, ask.

The second-largest cluster in the 2018 file is paint. "Ever since the last few years the paint is starting to come off of this vehicle"; "paint peeling off side mirrors and rear spoiler"; "passenger outside rear view mirror the paint is peeling, it's the original rear view mirror, vehicle looks brand n[ew]." A community channel covering this generation names the same parts: the mirror caps, and clear coat that should not lift after a few years. This matters more than it looks, because Kia has published no paint warranty extension for the Sportage — the only paint document in its Sportage bulletin file is care instructions for matte finishes. Hyundai extended paint coverage on some of its cars; Kia has not done so here. Inspect the mirror caps, the roof spoiler, the hatch edge and the roof itself in daylight, and treat any bubbling as a bill you will pay.

Kia's bulletins describe customer-satisfaction campaign CS2302, upgrading the body-control software on 2017 to 2022 Sportages built between December 2015 and December 2021, specifically on cars "which may not be equipped with an immobilizer" — the chip that stops an engine starting without the right key. It adds anti-theft ignition logic that arms when you lock the car with the fob. Companion campaigns fit a reinforced ignition-cylinder protector and window decals. Kia's owner letter calls it a software upgrade addressing the social-media theft method, free at authorised dealers. These are campaigns, not safety recalls. One 2018 owner in the federal file supplies the caution: "took my car for the theft recall and had it performed, my vehicle was stolen last night and the theft used a USB chargin[g cord]." Ask for the repair order, not just the window sticker, and get an insurance quote before you commit.

One 2018 owner writes: "I received a voluntary emissions update letter from kia, and although it was voluntary, the letter said failure to updat[e]…" That is SC340, Kia's voluntary emissions service campaign, which reflashes the engine computer on 2017 to 2022 Sportages with the 2.4-litre Theta II. Kia's bulletin gives the reason: certain 2016 to 2022 vehicles with these engines may have engine calibrations that were not optimised for emissions standards under certain conditions and may release pollutants exceeding federal and California limits. It is free. Kia's summaries describe no side effect afterwards, so a driveability change following the update is not documented as expected and should be diagnosed.

Three cheap things worth checking on the test drive. Kia has a bulletin for 2017 to 2022 Sportages describing slow, noisy or inoperative panoramic sunroof operation caused by dust and dirt getting into the track mechanism, especially on cars driven in dusty or sandy conditions; a repair channel confirms the fix is usually cleaning, lubricating and recalibrating the tracks. Kia has a separate bulletin for 2018 Sportages with the panoramic roof built between April and August 2017, applying adhesive between the windshield molding lip and the roof glass to cure wind noise at freeway speed. And several 2018 owners report low beams failing on both sides. Open and close the roof twice, drive it at 65 with the radio off, and check both headlights.