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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  Sportage - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By fred medlin - October 31 - 6:15 am

  Great buy

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  Rocking the 2017 Kia Sportage - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Cheryl - October 21 - 7:48 am

  I am 61 and finally decided to buy my 1st new car. Looked on line and on the road. Decided it was between Land Rover and Kia Sportage. The Kia Sportage had better visibility and that Panoramic Sunroof!!! I went on the Kia Motorsports web page and built my own. There werent any near me that I wanted. It had to be white, with that Panoramic Sunroof. I found 2 at Peoria Kia in Arizona. I called and had one put on hold. I booked a flight, they picked me up at the airport in my new Sportage. Wow Kia has amazing style, features and good power for a 4 cylinder. I formerly had a Honda Ex V6 Accord. UPDATE: The only problem I have experienced is a BIG ONE!! :( BLIND SPOTS :( The side view mirrors and that area.

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  Lucys Kia - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Robert Gayle - October 12 - 10:43 pm

  We tried all the big name small sport utes. This vehicle fit our needs perfectly. With the v6 it handles, and rides very well. We got the EX model mainly it was the only one with the upgardes we wanted. It has all the fetures we had in our 15yr old Mazda 929 trade in, and a few more.The leather seats are comfortable,rear seats have all kinds of room we didnt expect. Their is a Toyota RAV4 in the family and this thing has more creature comfort than we expected. The cargo area is much better than we expected. When we decided to purchase a new vehicle we tried the Tribute,Escape,Honda,Suziki,Chevy.what a disapointment.The tribute & Escape are a bad joke. KIA IS THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK.

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  Great SUV for the price! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Teresa - October 4 - 7:23 am

  I just bought my first Kia Sportage yesterday and I love it! I feel very comfortable in it considering I am only 51" and it handles like a car. For all the options I got, you cant beat the price compared to the Nissan Murano or Toyota Highlander.

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  GREAT VALUE! - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By nikki1274 - September 21 - 3:46 pm

  Great car all in all. I bought it in Feb 09 for $15,000. I was looking at used cars and found this to be cheaper brand new than the used 4 cyl. 07 Ford Escape. I love the way it drives and it looks awesome. VERY SPORTY!!! My only complaints are the tires wore out around 20,000 miles and it cost around $700 to get 4 new ones! Kia told us that the tires for this vehicle are expensive and thats just the way it is. Gas mileage is my other complaint when i fist bought the car I was getting almost 23 on the highway and after replacing the tires with "gas saver" tires I now get about 19.5 highway. No one seems to know why the mileage has gone down. Except for those things I LOVE THIS CAR!

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  crv rav rogue cx3 LOOKOUT ! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Alli - September 13 - 12:17 pm

  update : 6000 miles-- Vehicle is fantastic, , gas mileage is far better than advertised. Several of our friends ( CRV, Rogue ) plan on trading for a sportage. We have owned a CRV/RAV/Rogue and now a Sportage. All I can tell you is that these three companies better change fast or else this sportage will bury them. Last fall we purchased a used 2014 sportage lx for my daughter, i love the handling and the ease of maintenance. The new 2017 is a knockout power punch for this company, yes we have the means to afford a 40k car but why ? My daughters power window broke on her 2014 with 48K on it and they fixed it for free, just cant beat the warranty . A few of our friends laughed at us, ( lexus, audi ) until they sat in it then took it for a drive, laugh no more. This is a cool vehicle.

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  Comfortable and reliable - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By rebecca Hunt - August 25 - 1:43 pm

  I love my Kia sportage ! I have owned it for a year now and I have enjoyed it more than I thought I ever would.I car pool kids in it I have driven through the mountains of west virginia in it and I went camping in it. and I love the interior, it isnt full of hard plastic everywhere. I have the basic model and I love the easy to care for fabric. The sound system is great and it has plenty of power for me. I highly recommend it for moms on a budget. It gets great mileage on trips and I also have 4 wheel drive and I can get anywhere in this SUV, believe me I have used it, and it cleans up nice too! I have lots of confidence in this SUV, my next trip will be Key west!

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  Truly Understated All-Around Roadster - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Rion KSA - August 24 - 10:10 am

  As i was trying to find a better off or on-road veh to own this early 2009, i end up looking at the 2008 Sportage model. A lot of disappointing feedbacks causing me to wonder how true these feedbacks really was. i drove two brand new units in the past from toyota and Volks. But i made a test on this one. God Its understated 1000x!! The 5 speed manual can climb any dune and boost 195kph in few seconds... who tells its a slow starter? Only at 200+ plus a buzzing sound seems noticeable. braking is great too. In cornering u must slow- down. Space is too good for my field projects with many small equipment and computers. Very dependable. Cute everyone love its curves. Im just too happy for it.

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  better deal than gm - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By the best - August 4 - 3:30 am

  My sportage was a leftover 2008 and i bought it feb 2009 i was very happy with the warranty and the rebate of 4000 .i will never go back to gm after owning a kia.it handles good on the road ,and in the snow and ice.only complaint i have is that the front seats need to have arm rest.

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  Love My 2008 KIA - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Love My Kia - August 3 - 11:13 am

  Bought new at end of Dec 2008. First brand new car. This car is great, interior room, style, gas is good. Gets about 25 mpg. Not having the problems some are having. Guess they got the defective models. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have driven. I am very pleased with my car. No major complaints