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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  DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By CarissaP - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I hate this vehicle. They do not hold their value at all. If you dont believe me then get on the phone right now and call around to a few dealerships. They are uncomfortable to ride in. When the commercial says rugged, they mean the ride not the vehicle performance. We have only had it a year and are trying our best to get rid of it. One dealership actually told me that they would not deal with me because they flat out did not want a Kia on their lot. I dont honestly blame them!

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  Would like a convertible Sportage next time - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By leigh922 - January 5 - 7:01 am

  In nearly 2 years of ownership, really liked this SUV. My biggest complaint is the hassle of the spare tire holder being mounted on the rear hatch. You must have two hands available to open and close the rear - what a pain! Otherwise, it was roomy, the 4WD worked great, the fuel economy was as expected for the class and I had few issues. I suspected a head gasket leak at around 80,000 mi but despite the smell and liquid on the garage floor every day, no one could identify the leak source. Now that I can get another car, Im looking for a convertible Sportage 4WD - best of all worlds!

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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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  why are you not told the truth - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By melvin - December 24 - 2:00 am

  when i first got my kia sportage everything was good, except a loose brake line. now my trans wont shift into overdrive because of the cold weather. they said it was normal, why was i not told this when i first got it. or was this a way to sell me one. they may get it back yet.

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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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  Got My Moneys Worth! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By prissy - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought this suv only for the fuel mileage. My job required traveling and I live on the road. This car has surpassed my expectations on fuel savings and other than changing the oil & routine servicing, it hasnt cost me one penny! When I purchased it, it had 22k miles & now Im just over 113k miles. This is a lightweight suv and I found it odd to be rear-wheel drive. It isnt a luxury vehicle but I didnt buy it thinking it was. Its been a great vehicle and has saved me lots in gas and was easy to own. Low auto insurance, maintenance and property taxes. Not a great ride for long trips but if gas consumption is your concern - look no further!

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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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  Good Mini SUV for small families - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By SFBrown - November 24 - 10:00 am

  This has been a good SUV, but the back seat is no where near big enough. Isnt good for families. Has been good on fuel and is a smooth ride.