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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  Love my Kia - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Valerie - November 21 - 8:50 pm

  Compared to the other car in its class I was highly impressed with the features and price of the Sportage. I have had it for a couple of weeks now and I LOVE IT. The ride is comfortable, there is barely any road noise and I am getting good fuel economy. For all the standard features that you get it is well worth the investment. I also like the fact that my insurance went down.

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  Great Buy! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Cjacks - November 13 - 10:23 am

  I did my research before purchasing the KIA; you have always here how KIA is cheap. I find nothing about my Sportage cheap, compared with the Escape, Sorento, and Tribute. The sleek design, great price, and KIA warranty sold me on the Sportage. I have enjoyed how it handles and the room in a small SUV. Gas mileage around town; I am getting around 19mpg. On a trip we get 25mpg. Not bad for SUV.

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  Great Value - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Kia In The Gorge - November 12 - 10:30 pm

  Bought the EX 4wd with every available option Feels safe when driving, heated leather seats feel good on cool days, power sunroof is nice. Takes corners good, mileage better that some 4wd, but always could be better, we average 22 hwy/city driving. Love the rubber tray in cargo area, easy to clean, reclining rear seats are a hit, grocery bag net in back is sweet, leather nice but not the finest grade. The cost is about what you would pay for a used SUV but you get the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Good stuff. Back seat has lots of leg room, Im 63" and dont mind sitting there.

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  Great car! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By kia owner - October 31 - 4:23 pm

  I really love my Sportage. We bought it back in January and have not been disappointed. We had an opportunity to buy the 4wd and air conditioning, but choose to stick with the base model. I wouldnt mind having those extras, but I really dont need them. I would rather save a few thousand dollars. The only thing that is a little strange is the air vent; in the summer it is quite warm, even warmer than the outside air. I think it must travel past the engine and get warmed up that way.

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  5 Stars out of 5 Stars - 05 Sportage glows - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By JR - October 29 - 11:30 am

  I really couldnt believe I was looking at the new Sportage when I was in the dealer showroom. After test driving the Sorento and the Sportage, I went with the Sportage because: 1 - the Sportage had no hesitation and seemed more powerful upon acceleration. 2 - I thought the Sportage handled beautifully; and 3 - better fuel consumption then its big sister. I am really glad I choose the Sportage. I love the dual exhausts, the safety features at no additional cost which includes the ABS, ESP, side curtain front and rear airbags and the 100,000 mile warranty. The interior room is awesome, and the interior silver trim is sharp. Overall I give this vehicle 5 stars out of 5 stars!

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  Great little Truck! - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By drzero - October 8 - 10:00 am

  This is no escalade and I didnt expect it to be many folks I think buy these without doing their homework and are disapointed. This is a real suv on a ladder truck frame not a unibody car. Very underated but well worth the money! Buy one and enjoy!

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  One year and still loving it - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By brianarm - October 6 - 8:37 pm

  I have been driving this car for a year now and have put on 11K miles. Not a single thing has gone wrong, it is very reliable. All the small suvs are somewhat disappointing with their gas mileage. I average around 25 mpg in mixed driving without a heavy foot. I make several long trips (650 miles) a year and have to say the seats are incredibly comfortable and Im 61. My mileage was about 30 mpg going about 75 on these trips. The EX gives you a lot a extra goodies - better seats, leather steering wheel, led lights in front, alloys etc. I could not be happier with my decision to buy this car.

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  Best bang for the buck - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Julio Porven - October 3 - 5:03 pm

  Since I went to the South Florida Inrternational Auto Show in 2004 I fell in love with the new sportage. The only problem was that was in October 2004 and the model release date was in January, so they said. January came and went February came and went finally in March dealerships touted the arrival of the new Sportage. I was fortunate enough to find a dealer with a huge selection. I tried the 4 cylinder but when it came down to a small differnece in price between the 4 and the 6 the six is the better deal. I got the LX V6 I was so impressed with its handling and feel for the road. Not to mention all the standard features. I highly recommend this car to any one who wants the best small SUV.

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  Long term review - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By ac - October 1 - 9:43 am

  Owned the Sportage for a year and half with 35k miles still going strong. Recently Ive been getting as much as 30 MPG. The sportage is very solid, no issues at all. The sportage has been a great commuter car and family work horse. Between commuting and getting the kids off to there sports, this car has been great. plenty of storage in the back with enough room to travel with 5 people. I find The 4 cylinder 2.0 liter engine adequate. Its not a rocket but gets me where i have to go. The 5 speed makes the sportage fun to drive. The outside finish is still as shiny as the day i got it. No issues at all , none. I do all of the required maintenance through the dealer. Easy to maintain. Great car!

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  Car Purchase Review - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By larissajoyce77 - September 24 - 5:50 am

  I recently just bought a 2012 Kia Sportage from the Santa Ana Kia and Suzuki Depot. Overall I had a positive experience at the dealership I would like to thank Kimberly Ramirez for meeting all my needs and any questions I had regarding my purchase and car. I absolutely love this car, its so easy to drive and convenient for my family and I.