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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  3 yrs later... - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By rifral - September 5 - 7:03 am

  I gave 5 stars too... 3 years ago! The styling is cool, awesome sunroof, decent cargo and passenger room and... well... thats about it. 2 brake switch replacements* (recently recalled), less than expected gas mileage, squeeks and rattles and lately the transmission is reving too high. I have no faith that this rather expensive model will last me the 10 years I was hoping for. It might be a hard sale once the warranty expires! *when the brake switch blows, the car is completely dead. I know things happen but I shouldnt have to see my car being towed on a flat bed twice while making car payments.

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  Run away! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By kimkiaria - September 2 - 10:00 am

  If you have any sense of self- preservation, do not buy this car.I just came from getting a regular tune- up.What is typically a part of regular car maintenance, once again, proved extraordinary for my Sportage.I was told it would cost at least 70.00 to change my spark plugs!This is due to the ridiculous location of the parts.Ive had numerous problems with the car since the month after I bought it.My brakes went out without warning while I was driving down a hill with my 2 year-old son in the backseat.I urge those of you who are not independently wealthy to choose another car!

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  Time to come out of the swamp - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Seniorcit. - September 2 - 2:13 am

  Kia should change its swamp buggy style advertising of the new Sportage and promote it for the classy smart vehicle it now is. With its stylish design and great performance it can hold its own with other similar type vehicles that cost thousands of dollars more.

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  Crazy about my KIA 2 - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Love my KIA in Wisc. - August 31 - 10:03 am

  Update from my first review- Have had vehicle for 10 months now and STILL love it! Car developed loud squeak, but dealership fixed it, no charge, took care of me like a queen! Said part was tightened too much from factory. Absolutely LOVE this KIA and Im so glad I bought it. Gets decent gas mileage, and we have so much fun seeing how much we can fit in it. The longer I have it, the more features I discover. I love how the back hatch closes smoothly with hydraulics- I dont have to slam it shut. Very solid built car- ALL doors close nicely. It drove fantastic this winter- the wheel actually corrected itself on the ice! I felt very safe in the snow.

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  I would buy it again! - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By Marla - August 8 - 6:21 pm

  I have only needed standard maintenance AND I have 252,000 miles. I drive for a living, averaging over 200 miles a day.

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  Toms Retirement Car - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Thomas L. Hoffman - August 4 - 9:26 pm

  After owning a Jeep Liberty, and test driving the Forester and the Sante Fe, I found the Sportage a real pleaser. Its new sleak design and roomier interior made this a must buy purchase for me. The main selling point for me was that it has all the features of a SUV but drives like a sedan. Ive only had this vehicle less than two weeks but family members and friends and friends were quite impressed with thisd car. KIA has probably the best warranty aroung today. I am hoping I amjust as pleased a year from now as I am today.

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  Arthur - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Arthur - July 29 - 5:13 pm

  I have been overall impressed with my Kia Sportage. However, the gas mileage is the biggest issue. In addition, after 24,000 miles I had to replace the Bridgestone tires. Furthermore, the transmission shifts roughly sometimes when you need it going up hills, or trying to pass. The cooling fan sometimes sound like there is a knocking in the engine. I travel on avg. 1000-1200 miles per week with the kia and it handles very well and the ride is smooth for a SUV. Arthur

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  My New Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Halbarb - July 29 - 5:36 am

  Have never owned a foreign car before,but this on caught my eye, saw it in Savanna Ga. Went to a local dealer here at home and drove my new Sportage home, one thing it gets alot of looks, looks great and drives great, not sure on the gas mileage yet.

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  Its Okay for the Price - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By 2yrKiaOwner - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought used with 14000 miles; now have almost 45000. No major work; only brake replacement and regular maintenance. Vehicle was noisy on highway but when we put wider tires on it, the ride and noise improved tremendously. Gas mileage is not as good as my husbands F150 V6. The little 4 cyclinder works too hard; would have been better with a 6.

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  Great Car - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Chris - July 26 - 12:10 pm

  Traded in my Chrysler 300C for this SUV because I bought a house and wanted cheaper payments. This car is outstanding. Rides like a car (smooth), decent power and looks great. The fit & finish is excellent, AC is powerful and the radio rocks! I think it looks better than its sister...the Hyundai Tuscon. The only negative is its name...Kia. I really like this car and the pro reviews have been positive. Only time will tell if the reliabilty is there...the warranty is great and I purchased an extended warranty as well. The car has a fair amount of understeer so zipping in and out of traffic at 80 mph when Im late for work is a little nerve wracking. I cant wait for snow.