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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  It is what it is. - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By jr5285 - March 6 - 2:26 am

  I love the kia sportage, i weigh 215 pounds and i am 6ft3 and i find myself to be very comfortable in both the driver seat and the passenger seat. I like the arm rest in the back as well as every door in the kia has a cup holder as well as the back seat arm rest. My car came with cruise control and a sunroof and a v6 engine with 60,000 mile warranty and 3 months of satellite radio. And they even gave me a even trade in on ford explorer (it had 70,000 miles on it) and i still owed 10,000 dollars on it. So i think i got a real bargain. Oh and my headrests are adjustable.

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  I would buy it all over again - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By brookea - February 26 - 5:54 pm

  Kia has a great warranty first and foremost. This car is stylish and convenient. For being an SUV it can make pretty sharp turns. It is spacious yet not monstrous. I am averaging about 27-29 highway and 22-23 in the city. I like the convenience of there being AC vents in the middle around the knee area so the back seat stays cool as well. It gets up and goes yet runs very quietly and smooth.

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  Best valued Mid Sized SUV for the money - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By MJP53 - February 26 - 3:06 am

  We looked at all of the players; Rav4, CRV, Focus, BMW X3, Tuscon, etc. This was by far the best car for the money. Its comfortable, gets good gas mileage, great on trips and handles like a dream. This is a well engineered vehicle. It also has the best warranty in the industry.

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  KIA means Killed in Action - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By gj8 - February 6 - 2:20 am

  The 2013 was recalled for the FCV. The new software upload killed the performance of my vehicle. My son, whos built turbos since 1995 says this:This new Software seems to keep the turbo’s waste gate open too much during Wide Open Throttle causing the turbo not to “Spool Up” all the way resulting in boost loss, and obviously power loss. My question is, why update the software, instead of replacing a potentially faulty part that part being the FCV or Fuel Control Valve? Oh yeah, it’s cheaper than re-engineering of the faulty FCV, and replacing it with one that does not have a design flaw, better and even more expensive is, why not replace it with a tried and true fuel pressure regulator. This car is owned by a woman who used to race cars....I know the difference in turbo boost and loss.

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  2001 Kia Sportage Limited - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By dc5 - February 2 - 3:10 am

  Bought the vehicle new in 2001, and have been pleased. It has been a very reliable vehicle for us - only normal maintenance with exception of fan blower motor in 2004 (easy do it yourself job). Average 22mpg with mostly highway driving. Silly cupholder design, but I cant figure any where else they could have put it either.

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  Nice vehicle - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Bob D. - February 1 - 6:10 pm

  You get a lot of bang for the buck with this vehicle. I drive gently on flat roads in southeast Michigan and get about 23.5 MPG with the four cylinder automatic. Most of my commute is on surface streets so Im very pleased with the mileage. Cargo capacity if very good for this size vehicle.

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  Think long and hard before buying!! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Kianot4me - February 1 - 10:00 am

  We have had our Sportage for two years now and it has been the longest two years ever in owning a vehicle. Weve been trying to wait long enough to be able to recoup some of our money!(And probably wont) We have been very disappointed in the overall ride and performance of our Sportage. Every little bump, nook or cranny in the road is both felt and heard something fierce. And the gas mileage is absolutely horrible for such a compact vehicle with such a rough ride! Opening the tail gate is such a pain--you just dont want to even use it! Resale Value is terrible--should have everyone questioning whether they want to invest in the Sportage--Its Not Wise!

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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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  MPG Sticker Lies drastically - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By anubis2012 - January 23 - 5:35 am

  I liked this SUV but the window sticker MPG is way off! I am a conservitave driver. On paved roads getting 17-22 best, but mostly worse. This AWD is a mountain goat as far as the AWD goes. I only got stuck going up one mining road in NV and it was not able to continue climbing the gravel road without slipping backward and sideways. It was a scary drive backward down a narrow road with a canyon on one side and embankment on the other. It was great in the sandy soil of my NW NV property but didnt quite clear the middle of the pasture roads. I sold it with only 5K because of the MPG being so misrepresented. Sorry to see it go but too much difference in MPG way below sticker. Not nice!

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  Great Little Truck for $21K - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By RobR - January 19 - 6:40 pm

  We bought this car 2 months ago, and just put in the first oil change. I get 17/22 mpg. Its been great so far, really has exceeded our expectations. The only thing Ive noticed I didnt know before is the road noise seems a bit loud. The power outlet up front was mis-wired, but the dealer fixed it quickly. The auto tranny could be better, but is adequate. sport shifter is hokey. Offroad, I learned very quickly to turn off the Electronic Stability Program to make it. Reviewers say otherwise, but I say this is a great off-road vehicle. I drive it up primitive access roads to mountaintops on the job, and it has been just great - sans ESP-, even in 8 inches of snow on really poor, steep roads.