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 41 through 50 of 65.00

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  I like it but....... - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Irishgirl - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I do like my Kia, but i have had a few problems, my rear window would not go up or down, every time i shut the trunk door the panel would fall off, a part was missing, both were repaired by dealer. I am hoping i made the right choice in purchasing my kia, time will tell.

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  CRAP - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Ben Renzella - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Do NOT buy a sportage, or ANY kia, for that matter - a new car with as many problems as this (all, of COURSE, fixed under warranty....sometimes) - Stay Away!

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  Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By bbbaker - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I was pleasantly surprised with the power and comfort of such an economical vehicle. Interior has a spacious feel. Back seat folds down and was able to haul items that I normally would have borrowed a truck for.

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  Lucky or a Good SUV? - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Meaggro - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive had mine for a little over a month and I love it. Could use more Horsepower. Cup hold is in a real lame place. Stereo sounds great and the add-ons (cargo mat and window visors) were worth the money. Like the full size spare and the fold down rear seats. Good, solid car overall. Also own a Sedona (LOVE IT), this is my second Kia. I love this company, but the dealership makes all the difference. Ive had both a bad experience and a great experience with two different dealerships.

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  I love my Kia! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Jewle - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I would recommend the Kia Sportage! I bought a vehicle to slow me down, and take my time, this one is it. It runs great, and if I get stuck in snow or ice, I have 4 wheel drive. Shes cute too!

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  2002 with 152,000 & still going - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Mike - July 28 - 6:53 pm

  Very well put together car. Blew timing belt at 120,000, so small stuff also, nothing major. I intend to buy another Kia next year and hope its as good as this one. No more 4 cylinders, no power and gas mileage is nothing to crow about. I liked the interior design, but the slide out drink tray has broke 3 times, all the lower flap coming off. Still, I would recommend this car to anyone. I sold and was a service director in chicagoland dealerships for 27 years. This was as good as any Chevy or Dodge that I had as a demo. Oh yes, I still have original rear brakes and they are like new. I am on my 3rd front set, which I think is a normal amount. Like I said. Great car!

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  DO NOT BUY! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Shelly - February 26 - 1:26 am

  This is the absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned. It needed new brakes after only 25,000 miles. The brakes squeal when they get wet. The tire on the back is the biggest pain - hard to see around while driving and hard to close after loading cargo. The fact that the seats dont fold flat really limit the cargo area. The electronics in the car leave a lot to be desired - the power door locks make locking noises when you are exiting the vehicle. The cup holder in the front is in the worst possible place. You cant see the clock or reach any of the climate controls when it is in use. The one in the back is in an even worse place. Who puts a cup holder on the floor?

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  One year old and nothing but problems - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By angry KIA owner - October 17 - 10:00 am

  We owned the Sportage six months when the bottom section of the cupholder fell off, spilling hot coffee on me while driving. A month later, the cover for the sun visor mirror fell off. Last winter the back passenger window stopped working, and about the same time, during freezing rain with my kids in the vehicle, the wipers stopped working. Now, after 35000 kms (30000 of those highway kms) it needs new front brakes and the rotors are trashed. Never had a vehicle needing brakes this soon before! Its highly unfortunate we leased this vehicle as we are now stuck for another three years costing us nothing but problems and money.

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  pathetic suv - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By worst car eva - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst vechicle ever, i have spent more time in the shop with minor to severe repairs in the past year than i have actually driving the vechicle. Please be fore warned and do not buy a Kia. I had the rear tailgate hinges break off on me at the airport with no warning. Within the first week the center console was broken, the glove box lock never worked from the factory. The muffler system iis always rattling. The transmission has had leaks, the radiator fan broke off the radiator was leaking. I have changed my oil exactly every 3,000 miles and this vechile was just a bad choice.

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  Wont Buy Again - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By chevylover - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Have 2002 Kia Sportage convertible. Recently bumped a large rubber trash can at 5 mph, and passenger mirror broke off. Check engine light comes on intermitently. Air bag light blinking random pattern for months. Wont go to dealership because service is terrible. Quality is poor, but then again thats why the price is low. Read here about recalls, havent received any notifications at all. Been a chevy buyer all my life, will not go back to Kia. Sneeze and a dent appears in the outside panels, paint chipping in doors, molding in windows not secure. Tailpipe broke off w/ only 27K miles. Seems low to me to have exhaust issues. It was an experience that I wont repeat.