Free Kia Sportage VIN Decoder

How to decode a Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Kia Sportage VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a sequence of characters that uniquely identify a motor vehicle manufacturer. In the case of the Kia Sportage, two distinct WMIs have been allocated, indicating the vehicle’s production in different locations and times. For models produced between 1995 and 2024, the WMI ‘KND’ signals vehicles manufactured by Kia Corporation in Seoul, South Korea, specifically designed as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs). Conversely, for the 2023-2024 model years, the ‘5XY’ WMI denotes Kia Sportages manufactured by Kia Georgia, Inc. in West Point, United States, also as MPVs. This differentiation highlights the global footprint of Kia’s manufacturing operations and offers valuable insights into the vehicle’s origin and design specifications for consumers and industry insiders alike.

List of WMI Codes for a Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

• Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
• Example VIN: KNDJA7217S5505636
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Seoul
• State or Province: Seocho-Gu
• Country: South Korea

WMI: 5XY

• Model Years Covered: 2023-2024
• Example VIN: 5XYK43AF0PG010226
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Georgia, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: West Point
• State or Province: Georgia
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Kia Sportage VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Kia Sportage:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Kia Sportage VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the Kia Sportage VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Kia Sportage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Kia Sportage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Kia Sportage

The final 6 characters in a Kia Sportage’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 2023, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Engine Type and Performance: The VIN can show engine details, possibly indicating a T-GDI GAMMA II engine with a displacement of 1.6L and 177.2 horsepower, along with the vehicle’s dual fuel types—Gasoline and Electric—highlighting its hybrid nature.
• Safety Features: A VIN decode might highlight comprehensive safety features, possibly including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, and Forward Collision Warning, indicating a high level of passenger protection.
• Drive Type and Electrification Level: The drive type, mentioned as 4WD, might indicate the vehicle’s capability to handle different terrains, while the electrification level being a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) could point towards its environmental friendliness and efficiency.
• Body Class and Vehicle Type: It can specify the body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), reflecting its versatile design suitable for various uses, and confirming the vehicle type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, underscoring its capability to accommodate passengers comfortably with ample utility space.
• Transmission and Drivetrain Features: Details might include the transmission style as Automatic with 6 speeds, and the presence of a Turbo, possibly suggesting a focus on performance and ease of driving, complemented by advanced drivetrain systems for optimized vehicle control.
• Manufacturing Details: The manufacturing location in Gwang-Ju, South Korea, might provide insights into the vehicle’s origin.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Kia Sportage