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:
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Daughter Might not get the Kia!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Patrick McCloskey - May 10 - 2:00 amI was in the market for a car to drive to work for a couple of years then turn over to my (now 14 yr) daughter. With the cash-back, warrenty, and the fun driving this was a great pick. I have had no problems with the car, which I bought at one of Memphiss leading dealerships. I might have to get my daughter another car!!
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Kia Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Mac Daddy - January 19 - 10:00 amI love this car
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Awesome 4x4 - 2002 Kia Sportage
By georgia_bunny69 - April 10 - 10:33 amI love my kia sportage 4x4, its small on the outside, but has way more room than you would expect inside. And the 4x4 has gotten me out of some tough spots. I took it through a creek with the tail pipe submerged in three feet of water, and my truck never once cut out or stalled.
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Lots of truck,little price - 2002 Kia Sportage
By xlr8hard - June 14 - 2:00 amThis thing is great. Ive had it a year now and have not had any problems, though I read some pretty bad reviews. Maybe I got lucky or they had unreal expectations of this truck(yes it is a truck). It has plenty of power considering the way people actually drive. I mean, I find myself leaving cars behind when starting off from a light. The automatic does have power problems due to its gearing. The 5spd is fine. In slippery conditions not having tons of power makes it easier to control wheel spin and keep traction.
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LOVE MY SPORTAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By Bob Hoskins - December 24 - 2:00 amI LOVE THIS CAR, ITS FUN, SPORTY AND EVERYTHING I EXPECTED...ALSO SAVED OVER 3000 FROM THE RAV4
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sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
By bill winters - July 15 - 2:00 am4x4 rubber boot replaced,no other problems
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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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This is a GREAT car! - 2002 Kia Sportage
By akbusdrvr - June 25 - 10:00 amI live in Alaska where we get lots of snow. This winter I did not have one problem getting around in the snow or ice. I like the auto lock hubs, no more getting out to turn the hubcaps! I also tested the automatic, and it did not seem to do as well as the manual transmission. Also, a person cannot beat the warranty on these cars. A great little UTE!
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Luv my Kia - 2002 Kia Sportage
By iceman8147 - February 18 - 2:00 amI purchased (2) Kia Sportage convertables over a year ago. Both my wife and I love them. They are perfect for the Florida beach / rush hour traffic scene. You sit up nice and high, but can zip in and out of traffic. With the top off, you can enjoy the fresh ocean air. I have worked in the US automotive industry for 20 years, but after driving my little SUV, I am impressed. The fit and finish on our Sportages was as good as or better than vehicles that I have seen at the NA assembly plants. For the money, they are quite a value. If they had a small V6 in it rather than the I4, fuel economy would be better as the 4 cylinder is worked pretty hard.
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Great Value - 2002 Kia Sportage
By KiaOwner - May 12 - 2:00 amI am surprised that no one on this web site had anything nice to say about this vehicle. Several of my friends are Sportage owners and they all love it. It seems that only those who have something to complain about are doing the rating. Therefore, I am here to say that I love my Sportage and I am proud to be an owner of one. The appearance is far better than the CRV or RAV-4 and it has been reliable thus far.
