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 51 through 60 of 65.00

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  I hate this car - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Foxfire - January 3 - 10:00 am

  After having it a few weeks, the car quit. Within several months, it had done this 3 times. Check engine light always comes on, dealers claim there is no problem. Driving it sucks, and it is noisy. What a waste of money. A deer hit my car, and the entire thing crumpled. I have taken it to the dealer about 10-15 times for various things which have never been fixed or explained. I hate it!

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  love car not service - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By lovehate - October 10 - 10:00 am

  the kia i have is a 2000 loved 4 wheel in winter great tractin in snow then heat shield started to rattle. dealer said they normally rip them off to stop the noise after 7 months they finally replaced the whole exhaust due to corrosion. front bearings,wiper arm failed and needed replaced.bring it back because the rear differential leaking seal.noticed alot of rust on the frame. cheap rugged suv for people with a budget , just thought the vehicle would be better made. all repairs have been covered by warranty dealer attitude has been terrible.

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  GREAT LITTLE CAR - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By SKIPPER - August 28 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS A GREAT LITTLE SUV IN MUD YOU CANT STOP IT. RIDES SMOOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND JUST ABOUT AS GOOD OFF ROAD!

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  Lots of Fun - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By llpacal - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Had a couple of problems at the beginning that were fixed not enthusiastically yet the car is rock solid and super fun to drive. The seating position is fantastic and very cofortable.The engine is very peppy and the ride is firm but verry grippy.I now know that most people use this format to complain which I think is legitamate,but your normal satisfied consumer will never take the time to write a review.

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  Love my Kia, a real trooper!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By rrman79 - June 20 - 5:35 pm

  I have a convertable 2002 Kia Sportage, I love this car and I am sad to say in a few weeks I will be selling it to a buddy at work. My Sportage has 119,000 miles on it now, I bought it with 9,000! So far I have had to replace the roof (vinyl top) that was because for the first 4 years of ownership I did not have a garage!! The air-conditioner compressor locked up at about 60,000, but being a convertable, why do you need A/C? The 4 wheel drive went out about the same time, somthing about the seals rotting?? And just recently had the Master Brake Cylinder replaced. You might say, how can this guy still love this car?? I have had it for 8 years now, and it never quit on me!! A faithful friend

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  For the money, its a steal - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Carl from Montana - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Mine has 22000 miles in first six months. Several trips of 5,000 miles virtually non-stop DC to MT. Offroad driving in snow in Rockies(its rocky, not muddy). Mountains, switchbacks....The car is a steal. 24mpg. Holds 70+ mph on long grades. Could use more power but not much more. Light, so wind buffet an issue on windy days. Noise an issue-- almost as noisy as a Jeep Wrangler softtop. But a most competent performer and a steal for the price. (14,000+)

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  Too many Problems!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Lou&Beth - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited when I first got my Kia...however, 2 wks later my battery died, it took Kia 2 days to replace it. Then my power steering went out (car had only 400 miles on it by then!). Now A/C makes rattling noises and transmission is going out - has 22,000miles and I really baby my car, do not drive it tough! Trying desperately to get rid of it - low resale value though. My dealership wont give out rentals while repairs are being done & the repair shop is ALWAYS packed! -- BE WARNED --

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  Rollover Deathtrap - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Soisi - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Simply put, these vehicles are too narrow, too short and thus rollover too easily. My wife turned one over four times after a gust of wind hit the Kia broadside in a heavy rain. Aggressive driving manuevers, such as trying to correct after a skid will flip these vehicles. I do not suggest them for anyone.

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  Avoid the Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Robert Galbraith - September 3 - 2:00 am

  While mechanically the Sportage is fairly sound, youll run into all kinds of problems with the body paint, dashboard lights, windows, cup holders and just about everything on the vehicle, except the engine. You will also find almost no support from KIA dealerships. Youll also discover that KIA service people know little or nothing about this vehicle. Like other Sportage owners, my engine light has always stayed on. The service people have no idea why this is. (In my last trip to the garage, they did fix it, and the light went back on as I drove home!!!) The Sportage is also an unstable vehicle to drive in high winds. Tire quality is also very poor.

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  Cheap, Fun 4x4 - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By aleksg - August 28 - 10:02 am

  I bought my Sportage for 350 dollars, so I wasnt expecting perfection. It has 228k km on the clock, and the manual transmission is noisy, the synchros are worn, so it shifts hard when cold, but still works. All of the door handles were loose or broken when I got mine, but these problems are easy to fix for a weekend warrior because the door panels are a cinch to remove. The window switches are a common problem, but also very easy to fix. Basically this is a car you can buy for REAL cheap from someone who doesnt know how to fix small problems. Then you fix them yourself and boom, perfectly good car.