Is the Kia Sportage's fuel economy disappointing for a small compact SUV in 2012?

One area where the criticism for the Kia Sportage receives a lot of attention is fuel economy, especially in comparison to versions that do not come with the hybrid treatment. The hybrid models are competitive in terms of efficiency, but the standard gasoline versions have been panned for failing to meet expectations when driven in real world conditions. Many owners complain of real world mpg figures that are much lower than the official EPA estimates, especially in the city. That's led to debates over whether the Sportage's fuel economy is acceptable for a modern compact SUV, given what its rivals in the class can do.