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 1 through 10 of 65.00

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  DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By CarissaP - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I 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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  Do not waste your MONEY - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By I hate this SUV - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This 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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  save your money - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By worstchoiceevermade - November 5 - 2:00 am

  this car sucks! it stays in the shop. 2 wks after i got it the window switch broke, the interior seat covers had to be replaced...the belts gave out..the brakes messed up, the air went out and now the windows dont work at all...no wonder they come w/that long warrenty..youll need it. how can i get rid of this piece of junk???

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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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  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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  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!