Overview & Reviews

The Kia Sportage has never been one for small evolutionary changes. Originally a cheap, poorly made penalty box followed by a solid, yet utterly forgettable bargain-price SUV, today's Sportage is now a stylish and well-rounded compact crossover SUV. In human terms, the Kia Sportage has gone from a baboon to a Neanderthal and then George Clooney in the span of 15 years.

While the second-generation Sportage might be a cost-effective but rather uninspired used car choice, the current version stands out from the crowd in more ways than just looks. Thanks to its excellent build quality, stronger performance and generous array of features, it's far and away the most appealing Sportage yet. This third-generation Kia model remains on the small side among compact crossovers, however, and as such is a better choice for singles or those with small families.

Current Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is available in LX, EX and SX trim levels. The LX and EX have a 2.4-liter making 182 horsepower, while the SX gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine making an impressive 260 hp. All Sportages come with a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an option.

Standard equipment for the Sportage LX includes alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a sound system with satellite radio, a CD player and an iPod/USB audio interface. Stepping up to the upper trims gets you bigger wheels, LED running lights, keyless entry, a telescoping wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, leather upholstery, a rearview camera, a navigation system and Kia's Uvo voice activation system. Optional features include power-folding sideview mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, a navigation system, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats and keyless ignition and entry.

The Sportage's interior features attractive styling. And though there is quite a bit of hard plastic, it's well-textured and build quality is good. Passengers and driver alike benefit from well-contoured seats and adequate head- and legroom. The rear seat comfortably accommodates two average-size adults, and the seatback reclines but doesn't slide. In terms of cargo capacity, the Sportage comes up a bit short in cargo space, too, offering a maximum of 26.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.6 cubes with the 60/40-split-folding seats laid flat. Bigger competitors boast as many as 73 cubes.

On the road, the Kia Sportage lives up to its name with its sharp steering and athletic handling that make it more engaging than most other compact crossovers. The downside is that taut suspension tuning means a bit of a stiff-legged ride over rough pavement and washboard highways. Power from the four-cylinder engine is simply adequate, but at least the automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly. The SX's engine delivers a healthy dose of acceleration and is a worthy alternative to the V6s and four-cylinder turbos found in competing crossovers.

Used Kia Sportage Models
The current Kia Sportage debuted in the 2011 model year and represents the third generation in the model's history. Trim levels and powertrains mirrored the current version with a few exceptions. Up through 2013 there was a base model that came only with a six-speed manual gearbox. Tweaks for 2012 brought improved handling, additional sound insulation (for a quieter cabin) and the introduction of the Uvo voice activation system. Also, these Sportages lack the newest version's updates, which include refreshed styling, a more powerful (182 hp versus 176 hp) 2.4-liter engine, improved navigation and sound systems, rear-seat air vents and updated Uvo telematics services.

The previous, second-generation Kia Sportage was launched for 2005 and ran until 2010. Considerably different from the previous generation, this Sportage featured a new unibody platform shared with the Hyundai Tucson (just as the current model does). Compared to the current Sportage, though, this generation was a bit bigger in interior size but far plainer both in design and interior material quality. There were no significant changes made during this generation.

There were two trim levels: LX and EX. Both trims are equipped with a healthy list of standard amenities, such as alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, tinted glass and a six-speaker CD stereo. Satellite radio as well as auxiliary and USB audio jacks were added for 2009.

The LX was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 140 hp. It came standard with a five-speed manual transmission, and a four-speed automatic was available as an option. Most Sportages with this engine were front-wheel drive, though Kia did offer all-wheel drive on manual transmission-equipped models. As an upgrade for the Sportage LX and standard on the EX, Kia offered a 173-hp 2.7-liter V6. It came standard with the automatic transmission and could be had with front-drive or all-wheel drive.

This Sportage might not have looked too big from the outside, but the interior had plenty of headroom and legroom, both in the front and the back. The rear seats split and folded flat for a level cargo floor and a maximum of 67 cubic feet of storage. Fit and finish was OK and materials quality was on the cheap side. Safety was a strong suit for this Sportage, with strong crash scores and a full complement of airbags, stability control and four-wheel antilock disc brakes.

In reviews, our editors found that this Sportage did few things poorly, but it failed to stand out in a segment where its competitors did things exceptionally well. Its dull styling and drab cabin did it no favors, while both its engines were unimpressive from both a power and fuel economy standpoint.

The Kia Sportage started life in 1995 as a body-on-frame compact SUV. Though it was one of the first such vehicles of its kind, it was too small and underpowered to compete with the roomier, more carlike mini-utes that Honda, Subaru and Toyota rolled out shortly thereafter. The base Sportage came with a meager 94-hp, 2.0-liter SOHC four-cylinder. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission were standard. Kia also offered a part-time 4WD version of the base trim. The 4x4 Sportage came with a twincam 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 139 hp. A better-equipped EX trim came standard with 4WD and the more powerful engine. A four-speed automatic transmission was an option on all 4WD models.

Kia eliminated the single-cam engine in 1997, leaving all trims equipped with the twincam engine, now rated for 130 hp. That same year, Kia began offering the four-speed automatic on 2WD models.

In 1998, Kia added a two-door convertible to the Sportage lineup. It was available with both drivetrains (2WD and 4WD). After that, there were no more significant changes to the Kia Sportage, only minor face-lifts and interior modifications. The final year of production was 2002. Buyers should generally avoid these early models, as they weren't able to match the levels of comfort, performance and fit and finish offered by competing models of the same time period.

User Reviews:

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  2000 Kia Sportage - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By B.Z - October 23 - 6:26 am

  I have put more money into it than it is worth! Bought it used from Kia (was a rental car in Alaska) and I didnt get the warranty. The warranty should be for the car not the first owner. I have had the rear tire hinge rust and break, the gas door lock break, the air conditioning break at least 3 times, the window fell down (couldnt roll it up or down), the locks lock and unlock themselves whenever they want, the windows wont roll down when I want them too, the child lock doesnt work, and the engine has had its own problems leaving me stranded in 110 degree weather. Even with 4WD and studded tires its horrible in winter! I will never buy another Kia ever!

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  Problem Child - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By hyundai_91 - September 25 - 9:26 am

  Purchased a Sportage new, 10 Service calls in the first 6 months of ownership

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  Never Again - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By AmKorean - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I actually bought a 1999 model but I am sure that it still applies. I wished I had read the reviews on this SUV before I bought it. I think I would have thought it out a little more had I read the other reviews. In the first six months of my having this SUV the battery died. The cars transmission was recalled in the first year. One of the rear seat belts broke in the second year. This year there is a missing washer on the rear drivers side door which sounds like the window isnt closed, that sound of rushing air all the time is annoying! My mother told me to never buy another Korean made car, and we are Korean!

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  What a pile... - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By emtsuj - March 19 - 7:20 am

  This is a pile of junk. I have had to fix ignition coils, replace sparks plugs(x4), air conditioning doesnt work, heat only works on the highest or lowest setting, thermostat (x2), timing belt, other belts, battery, starter, alternator, catalyc converter, entire exhaust, transmission, and the fan clutch. The 4WD doesnt work, and I havent been able to find a mechanic that will touch it. I have had 3 out of the 4 doors break so that they either wont open from inside or out, and the windows on all 4 doors have needed to be fixed at one time or another because they wouldnt open or shut. 2 of the seatbelts are broken and cant be used. Cupholders, paint, ALL JUNK! DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!

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  Re-think getting a KIA!!!! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By sweetbeth - February 20 - 10:00 am

  My sportage has been in the shop a number of times. At 200 miles the starter & battery had to be replaced. It has died 3 times in the middle of heavy traffic- the dealership cant figure out why... The power steering went out at 10,000 miles. My whole exhaust system was replaced at 24,000 miles and it makes lots of strange squeak noises. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA.

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  Not covered under the great 10yr 100k warranty - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By Doug - January 24 - 5:08 pm

  This car has not been a bad car until the engine light appeared, P2006 is the code, runner control stuck closed. Only way to repair is replace the intake manifold which cost $800 for the part and roughly 4-5hrs labor to accomplish. Oh and this is not covered by the "Great" warranty. Our Sportage has 85k miles we are the first owners bought it with 13 miles on it, 3 years and 10 months in first major repair is not covered under the warranty.... this is why we bought the car to avoid this situation with repair costs early on. I have learned my lesson. Go with the cars that are reliable and have a good reputation i.e. Honda, Toyota. dont trust the 10yr 100k mile warranty it doesnt cover a major component to the engine.

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  Kia Sportages are TERRIBLE!! - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By DAYTON - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Check engine light on over and over... dealer can not tell us why. Vibrations at upon decleration at 40mph and acceleration at 60 mph. Trying to get a Kia rep to look at car for 6 months. Dealer NOT helpful!

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  You get what you pay for - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By ckzk - September 9 - 2:00 am

  My father, husband, and sister all talked me in to buying this vehicle because it was a great deal...well, 7 months later they now agree I need a new vehicle. It had 36,000 miles when I bought it and has been nothing but trouble. The 4WD does not work, I have had to fix the drivers door handle 4 times ($68 each time)and I still have to roll down the window to get out! The rear tire cable has broken, for the second time and now I cant get into the back unless I climb over the back seat. The cup holder is not only in a horrible place, blocking the clock, defroster, and other features but it bounces on the bumps and spills all over the place.

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  Wanted to buy my first car soooo bad.... - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By McFly - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Im still waiting to be right-side up on this car... Darn thing loses value every day!

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  buy a better car - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By thisis the worstcar - January 19 - 2:00 am

  this is the worst purchuse of a car i have ever made. the sportage looked like a good value at the dealership and in ads but was i wrong. 3 weeks after i bought it the ac gave out and the power windows broke. it has been all downhill since that. i will never buy a cheap kia again