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

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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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  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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  My Little Kia - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Amaranta - July 20 - 3:00 am

  Its been a year and so far I havent had any problem with my little Kia. I recommend this car if you are looking for a fun and not too expensive car.

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  2002 Kia Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By DanielleB11 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  good on gas; fun to drive in the summer

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  Cute car, but looks arent everything - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Dreamn34 - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Kia a year ago.It started making a horrible noise whenever it idled or ran below 30mph so I took it in to get looked at. They installed a new A/C compressor and clutch. Thank God I had a warranty because it was over $1400 worth of parts, which cost me zero. Last May I paid around $17,500. Since then Ive moved 35 miles from from work so Im looking for something that gets better gas mileage. Im currently filling up about every third day. We went to the Honda dealership and when they appraised my Kia, they came back with $5000! I took it to CarMax and got an offer of $7800, which is better, but its still not going to help when I owe $11,500.

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  My New Kia Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By shawn n - February 13 - 7:53 pm

  I have had my new Kia Sportage for almost 6 months. I have had no trouble. The performance is slow but who buys a compact SUV for a day at the races. The little Sportage does get blown around a bit on the highway. But its a very nice basic SUV. I still reccomend it. I am glad I bought it.