Overview & Reviews
The Sportage is now in its eighth model year, so to help move its aged sport-ute along, Kia will offer the four-doors in just one trim level (eliminating the EX and Limited trim models) with more standard feature content than before, though you can no longer get leather upholstery. All Sportages are equipped with body-color door handles and an exterior latch on the rear hatch to ease loading cargo. A Two-Tone Package is available for hardtops; this option group contains two-tone cladding, bumpers and fenders and a cladding-color roof rack and hard-face spare tire cover. In addition, Kia has expanded the standard list of safety features to include seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters for the airbags. Finally, interested buyers should note that the Sportage will be going on hiatus for the 2003 model year (to make room for production of the new midsize '03 Sorento); a completely redesigned version (likely with unibody construction) is expected to return in the fall of 2003 as an '04 model.
- Budget price, impressive equipment levels, stout construction, high fun factor, convertible body style.
- Anemic engine, cheap interior materials, limited rear seat and cargo room.
User Reviews:
Showing 11 through 20 of 65.00-
Great Basic Transportation - 2002 Kia Sportage
By jbtolla - February 2 - 7:06 pmI purchased mine in May 04 as a new leftover from 2002, therefore, I stole it from the dealer. For the $10K I paid, I feel I got more than much more than I paid for. My nephew is over 6 tall and always complains about his legs cramping in the back of my Mustang convertible (hour ride), but I drove from New Haven, CT to Williamsburg, VA with him in the back, and not one complaint. I have made a couple trips to VA and several trips back and forth from New Haven to Yankee stadium and my passengers never complain. Since I am used to driving sporty cars, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it handles for a little truck.
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4X4 never works - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Tom991 - January 31 - 2:00 amI bought a 4X4 EX so I would have 4 wheel drive when I needed it. The 4 times it snowed and I needed 4 wheel drive I had none. 1st time the dealers service department said no problems found, 2d time they fixed a vacumn line to the 4 wheel drive but my fuel ecomony dropped from 22 MPG to 17 MPG, Obviously they did something wrong. 3rd time (two weeks out of the shop, it snowed again, the 4 wheel drive didnt work. Its in the shop awaiting parts again. Im wondering, is it the KIA or the service department? Had four wheel allignment done there came out with same pulling to the left problems when it went in.
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DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID - 2002 Kia Sportage
By CarissaP - January 6 - 10:00 amI hate this vehicle. They do not hold their value at all. If you dont believe me then get on the phone right now and call around to a few dealerships. They are uncomfortable to ride in. When the commercial says rugged, they mean the ride not the vehicle performance. We have only had it a year and are trying our best to get rid of it. One dealership actually told me that they would not deal with me because they flat out did not want a Kia on their lot. I dont honestly blame them!
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Would like a convertible Sportage next time - 2002 Kia Sportage
By leigh922 - January 5 - 7:01 amIn nearly 2 years of ownership, really liked this SUV. My biggest complaint is the hassle of the spare tire holder being mounted on the rear hatch. You must have two hands available to open and close the rear - what a pain! Otherwise, it was roomy, the 4WD worked great, the fuel economy was as expected for the class and I had few issues. I suspected a head gasket leak at around 80,000 mi but despite the smell and liquid on the garage floor every day, no one could identify the leak source. Now that I can get another car, Im looking for a convertible Sportage 4WD - best of all worlds!
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LOVE MY SPORTAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Bob Hoskins - December 24 - 2:00 amI LOVE THIS CAR, ITS FUN, SPORTY AND EVERYTHING I EXPECTED...ALSO SAVED OVER 3000 FROM THE RAV4
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why are you not told the truth - 2002 Kia Sportage
By melvin - December 24 - 2:00 amwhen i first got my kia sportage everything was good, except a loose brake line. now my trans wont shift into overdrive because of the cold weather. they said it was normal, why was i not told this when i first got it. or was this a way to sell me one. they may get it back yet.
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Got My Moneys Worth! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By prissy - November 29 - 2:00 amBought this suv only for the fuel mileage. My job required traveling and I live on the road. This car has surpassed my expectations on fuel savings and other than changing the oil & routine servicing, it hasnt cost me one penny! When I purchased it, it had 22k miles & now Im just over 113k miles. This is a lightweight suv and I found it odd to be rear-wheel drive. It isnt a luxury vehicle but I didnt buy it thinking it was. Its been a great vehicle and has saved me lots in gas and was easy to own. Low auto insurance, maintenance and property taxes. Not a great ride for long trips but if gas consumption is your concern - look no further!
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Kia Sportage 2WD Convertible -Must Read- - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Majali - November 10 - 3:06 pmI have purchased my 2002 convertible Sportage in 2008 and have put 24m000 miles on it since then. Its a great good looking affordable car. It has a special charisma. This STRONG Vehicle has literally saved my life, after hitting a parked car from behind while doing 100 mph the damage was slight regardless that the Honda i hit got totaled! Featuring 3 air bags/Automatic Transmission/AC Easily removed cool soft top options. The 2.0 L is strong enough for a small below 2000 LBs SUV ( it has served a BMW 520). Doing 20 MPG City and Crazy 30 MPG highway miles. I dont have any more mechanical troubles after doing a full maintenance a year ago. It maneuvers perfectly, but i wish it was 4WD for sand
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Kia crumpled, but I didnt! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By mamaofpits - July 21 - 2:00 amI bought my Kia Sporty 4x4 as I wanted something rugged, safe, and able to get through flooded streets. It never let me down, always started right up and got me where I was going... except for one day. I was stopped in traffic when this monsterous extended van plowed into me at about 45 - 50 mph and was a chain reaction. I walked away with minor injuries... no broken bones! The paramedics were amazed. Either the Kia is indeed built to be very safe and sturdy and/or my guardian angel was with my that day. Would I buy another one... absolutely!
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sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
By bill winters - July 15 - 2:00 am4x4 rubber boot replaced,no other problems
