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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  AWESOME.... - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By VERY SATISFIED - January 6 - 7:30 pm

  This is my second Kia, the first being the 2005 Rio, which is still in great condition. Needed larger vehicle for longer trips. This vehicle is fine looking and fun to drive. I guess I had hoped for better fuel economy but at 21 MPG, it isnt bad. I agree with other reviewers...miss my armrest, the vehicle could shift more smoothly and I would like to have a guage for the eng. temp instead of an idiot light. I also would like the outside temp reading but that is not of great significance. Mine has everything but the nav system, and that is because I have an excellent portable that is cheaper to upgrade. AWESOME RIDE for the price!!! Could not have made a better deal!!!!! The warranty, GREAT!

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  I dont care about the name "I LOVE IT" - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Issac - December 29 - 9:40 pm

  I didnt realize untill i did my shopping that this comes with ESP, Traction control, and Anti-lock brakes all standard! And with the 10 year warranty, theres no other small SUV at that price that can compete.

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  LOVE MY SPORTAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Bob Hoskins - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR, ITS FUN, SPORTY AND EVERYTHING I EXPECTED...ALSO SAVED OVER 3000 FROM THE RAV4

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  Fun Run-about with style - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By CEsav - December 13 - 4:10 am

  With the rebate, great price to start with, no nonesense dealer (not what I found at Toyota and Honda)the surprizing quiet ride and style plus 10/100 warranty, I was sold. I bought it for around town driving, but drove well on the interstate, and got a solid 26mpg. The 4 banger took a little to getting use to (at the lights), but was better than I thought it would, but love it at the gas pump. LX is good value.

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  Let the record show, 2017 Sportage awesome: - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By AGC - November 27 - 7:25 am

  I had an 05 Cavalier (since 2004), wonderful little car... didnt put anything into it except gas (when empty); oil and filter (every 5,000 miles); replaced the battery in 2011 (up and died on me, it sat for most of the year as I was travelling the world); put new tires on it a couple years back (the originals were dry rotting on me) and blew through some windshield wipers over the years... when the speedometer quit working (@42,000 miles) I drove it another 27,000 using my GPS for speed and cruise control (never got a ticket). AFTER ABOUT 13 YEARS of driving low to the ground (by the seat of my pants) I decided a change was in order... I have been retired since 1998 and had nothing but free time to sit in and check out all the competition (like Goldilocks) most were: too big or too small or underpowered or gas guzzlers or had too many whistles and flashing lights or too nuanced... THE SPORTAGE fit me and my plans just right. I like driving the back roads and at 45 mph and get around 38 mpg in echo mode (on level ground... if its hilly not so much); observing about 24 mpg in and around town (but thats with echo off, riding normal mode)... I am headed to the blue ridge mountains and fully expect to be using sport mode and couldnt care less what the mileage will be for that because it will be fun (no white knuckle driving but there will be no Miss Daisy along for the ride). Plenty of room for me and my stuff (and then some). The Sportage looks great be it parked or on the move... oh you can tell it might be top heavy (knowing how gravity works) but if you drive it like you own it (responsibly) there should be no surprises. I am really impressed with the different modes (echo, normal and sport), there is a remarkable difference in horsepower on demand between echo and sport... they make normal seem obsolete... but everything has its place, I suppose.

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  So far so good.. - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By mmr5656 - November 23 - 6:22 pm

  Ive been in my KIA Sportage going on three weeks now... I just got out of spending 8 years in a Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel Truck. Prior to this truck I was in two Ford F150 trucks. So... Ive been in trucks for the last 18 years now.. Now Im in a 2012 KIA Sportage SUV.. The only thing I need to get used too is the fact that the headlights in my side and rear view mirrors tends to blind me me since before when I was in my trucks I was sitting up high and never had that problem. And the fact the windows and side mirrrors are much smaller than on my last truck. I give this SUV five stars for "Fun to drive".. "MPG.. "Good looks".. "Quality".. "Smart Engineering"

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  Surprisingly excellent purchase! - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Jerry - November 12 - 8:56 am

  When shopping for an economy suv, our first choice based on reputation and suitability for our needs was the Toyota Rav-4. But before we sank that kind of money into a vehicle, we thought we would look around at what else was available. First stop, Kia place. Last stop, Kia place. We were very impressed with the ride, the performance, and the overall appeal of the Sportage, and it soon became apparent that there aint no way the Toyota Rav-4 can possibly be worth the $4,000 to $5,000 more it costs than a comparable Kia Sportage! And the frosting on the cake is the super gas mileage we get with the 4-cyl. engine with manual transmission. Way to go Kia!

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  wow - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Wally - November 7 - 4:50 pm

  Bang for the buck. Very impressed with this little SUV. I was impressed SO much that I bought another KIA 6mths later. David Bollen of Jerry Smith Kia is the most professional and honest car salesman I have had the pleasure of doing business with. If you are looking at buying a Kia and are in Washington then go to Burlington and stop by Jerry Smith Kia and talk to this guy. He is a staight shooter.

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  Great vehicle! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Jose - November 6 - 11:33 pm

  This vehicle has blown my mind as far as performance, gas mileage, style; basically, everything about the Sportage has been beyond my expectations, let alone the excellent warranty it carries.

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  best car I have ever owned - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Joe Ardenger - November 5 - 3:16 pm

  I was skeptical when purchasing my Kia Sportage. But it did not take long for me to realize that this truely is the best of both worlds. Not only did I save thousands of dollars compared to Honda and Toyota, I have alot more features. The electronic stability control is magic, the car takes over in emergency manuves, to maintain control, the ride is outstanding, and the V6 engine is smooth and efficient. I was worried what people would think if I bought one, and know I realize that Kia is a true contender in the market, and I will enjoy this for years to come.