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 21 through 30 of 65.00-
Better than expected - or reviewed! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By gphvid - June 7 - 10:00 amPurchased this SUV after extensive research and price checks. Yeah, it could use a little more power, it is actually no problem with what it has. I got mine in the Limited version with all the options and still got it under $18k delivered. After 17000 miles, the ride is consistent and balanced and handles most road problems very well. Remember, this has a truck chassis, so it will be a little rough at first.
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Do not waste your MONEY - 2002 Kia Sportage
By I hate this SUV - April 25 - 10:00 amThis vehicle has nothing but problems. I have been to the repair shop at least 12 times with a stack of repair slips all for different problems. Unfortunatly the vehicle doest fall under the lemon law, so I cant get rid of it. Some probles were: Twice the starter went out, Twice the window mechanism broke. There was 3 recalls with the vehicle. Some problem with the engine that was not explained to me very well, but it could have caused a very bad accident according to the technicians. I know that all there vehicles are not like this but, you should consider money and saftey. Two of which Kia doest.
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What were you expecting? - 2002 Kia Sportage
By pah-leez - March 14 - 2:13 pmI recently purchased a 2002 Kia Sportage 4x4 2DR convertible with 70,000 miles on it, as a winter car. (I drive a BMW M Roadster convertible in the summer.) The only thing Ive had to do so far is replace the tires. It rides a little rough, but its a truck! Trucks are not going to ride as smooth as a car. So far I am happy with my purchase. I think it has a lot of pep for a 4 cyl (and remember Im used to an "M" engine!)... and face it, its adorable!
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Great First Car - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Elizabeth - January 25 - 7:13 amI absolutely love my Kia. It was my first car. I chose it because it could fit everything I owned inside of it. Not only did it haul me down to Georgia from Ohio but then moved all of my stuff to Florida a few months later. It also made the move to Dallas and back wonderfully. I consistently take it on long trips and it has never given me any trouble. Its a comfortable ride and gets great mileage on the highway. Of the 2 problems I have had the 1st (cracked master cylinder) was under warranty and the 2nd (fluid in the brakes) was my fault. I didnt use the 4WD enough in the florida climate and hoses disintegrated. The dealer told me, but I decided not to fix it and it caused the brakes.
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Cheap, Plastic Headache - 2002 Kia Sportage
By ssinec - December 7 - 10:00 amI have had my 2002 Sportage for about 6 months now and have about 9000 miles on it and its already falling apart. I had to have the rear door and lock assemply repaired, which have never worked properly. Ive had the front windshield replaced, which split down the middle. The front bumper has come unattached on the driver side due to cheap plastic screws that held it in place. The cup holder has broken. The passenger window will not go all the way up. Take my advice, do not buy this SUV! Its just a cheap, plastic headache with a cheap paint job and poor construction.
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Good for the money - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Runner - November 30 - 2:00 amSmall with a good Mazda engine goes off road with a 4x4 chassis
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Bought it used - very happy with it! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Luvitt - November 24 - 2:00 amCame home tonight in a virtual white-out with 50 mph winds and 1-2 ft drifts!! This is my 1st 4x4, so obviously, I was very impressed after seeing no less than a dozen other vehicles off the shoulder. Yes.....MOVE THE CUP-HOLDER! Otherwise, I cant say enough about this SUV. Very quiet & smooth riding - turns on a dime! No rattles, tight construction, and lots of room (unless youre Arnold...) Cant figure out why everybody wants an Escalade at a Kia price! 2.0L Engine (made in Japan) is nimble & responsive (5-spd manual), better gas mileage than the Geo Metro I came from. Guess I just got a good one.....wife bought a Hyundai Elantra same day!
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My first Kia - 2002 Kia Sportage
By C.Knill - November 14 - 7:03 pmI wanted a 4x4 bought it used then it cost me $1800 to get the front wheels to work properly.Serviced at the dealship and was treated like royalty. I LOVE the fact its full frame and not a unibody!!! ABS and brake warning light come on stay on till shut down and restart for no reason. Low power but hey 4cyl and 4x4 dont mix LOL. Made its way through 4 feet of snow last winter and numerous flooded streets this spring!!Rugged little beasty...Im happy with it.
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too many things gone wrong - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Kim - November 9 - 6:13 pmI purchased this little suv because of price. I wanted a 4x4 and this was one that seemed reasonable. Well let me just say that I glad its under warranty. The transmission went at 40,000 miles. The cooling fan busted damaging the radiator & washer reservoir. I need front brakes already and just put on 4 new tires just before this winter. Then this winter I had problems with putting fuel in my tank; kept flowing back out at me. Accelerator sensor replaced 3 times. The service has been great & warranty has covered all except tires and brakes of course. I will be trading it in before the warranty is up thats for sure! Other than that, its not a bad little suv to drive around.
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OK so far...some minor issues - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Robert R - September 12 - 10:00 amPurchased for 16.5K (has everything but 4WD and leather)after taxes with trade in. Took delivery in July, 02 and had a paint scratch on rear door, a scratch on instument panel plastic covering and my headlights would not come on. Have had everything repaired but the instument panel. The paint has also chipped in bottom door molding. I will get Kia to fix.
