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:

• 

  Stay away from KIA! - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Traci - July 8 - 7:50 pm

  Cute vehicle, but has terrible traction in winter. Brakes were completely worn out after warranty expired (complete replacement in less than 2 years). KIA Warranty may be the best in the business, but dealers will find a way around it so dont let that be a purchasing factor. Had a front caliper fall off and almost flip over; rear axle squeals; battery dies often - but KIA says everything is great. Put over $600.00 in mandatory services and paid out $500.00 for additional maintenance per yr. Ill never purchase another KIA even if they offered it to me for free! If you want a vehicle that works OK for a year, then this is the car for you. enough said (youve been warned)

• 

  Dont By it - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By paqman21 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I would advise you to stay away from this SUV. It is not worth the money. If you are not in a windy city it might be good for you. I didnt like going from the first lane to the fourth lane in one swift blow.

• 

  Kia Sportage - BEWARE - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By jfoote - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Losses value quicker than Enron stock. Purchased 2 years ago for 15000, now only worth 6500. Terrible gas milage and worse handling. Slower than everything out there. Grannys in Buicks would pass me and laugh.

• 

  Dont buy a Kia Sportage - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Linda - April 3 - 4:10 pm

  I own a 2008 Kia Sportage EX which my daughter got into an accident with. The front end had damage and the engine needed to be replaced because the liguids were drained from the vehicle after the accident and the engine got ruined. Kia replaced the engine and the engine light kept coming on. After returning the vehicle again they have now replaced it with its 3rd engine and there is still the same low compression in the #2 cylinder. Kia cannot figure out what is wrong with these engines, so they have sent a Kia representative to the dealership to try to find out. I believe Kia is supplying faulty engines for replacement. How can the same thing be happening to this car for the 3rd time?

• 

  Bad purchase! - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Zooball - January 22 - 1:26 am

  My story is not as bad as others, but here are the problems: unstable in winds, spark plugs a pain to replace, -cannot drive on any amount of snow -drink holders break easily -one passenger window stuck for a year -fuel pump squeals -check engine light constantly on -exhaust rattles -underpowered -extended warranty was a Ponzi scheme fraud -replaced battery only to cause more electrical problems -air conditioning weakens in a year -KIA dealership service is a joke at best -paid off car only to have it become un-driveable soon after -cannot fit three childrens car seats comfortably -would not sell on used market -mileage drops off rapidly -alarm so difficult to turn off it goes unused

• 

  Do NOT buy if you drive in rain or snow - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Lori - November 1 - 6:46 pm

  Its a 4x4, bt extremely dangerous to drive in rain or snow, doing below speed limit. The backend slides out constantly, regardless of having new tires because of it being a light weight vehicle. When problems arose w/ an oil leak, the dealer blamed express lube. I was given an attitude by the dealer. They were very expensive. When 4x4 wasnt working, th car was in shop for 3 days, returned unfixed and had to drop it back off for 3 mere days! I replaced the fan belts, alternator and starter. Another annoying fact, it would gt stuck in reverse all the time. I would have to roll a little in reverse, then put in drve for it to go forward from a parked position. It was very noisy w/ the soft top. Catalytic converter smelled going uphill, dlr sd normal

• 

  Scammed - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By cheated by dealer - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Horrible quality. Windows wouldnt go up, drivers seat not bolted securely, cup holder broke, dome light burnt out twice in 6 months. The scotch-guard on the seats didnt work, stains on them and there are parts already rusted! Cheap vehicle and now the dealer wont standy by it indicating I "only" bought a $20k vehicle and not to expect much. Getting rid of vehicle within 1st year and taking huge loss, worth only 1/2 of its value & will have to add remainder on new car loan.

• 

  LEMON ON WHEELS - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By KPLIN - July 20 - 10:00 am

  My very first new car and I had to buy this one. It spends more time in the shop then in my driveway. Rotors bad, over and over, rear shot, windows dont work, oil leaks, 4wheel drive broken - twice and the list continues. Wouldnt recommend this car to my enemy. All it needs is a picture of a lemon put on the side and it would be perfect. Resale value dropped so bad, I cant even afford to get rid of the darn thing. No wonder its discontinued.

• 

  dissapointed - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By egalea - May 14 - 6:17 am

  bought my new sportage in 2007. started complaining about a weird noise after 1 year. after2 years complaining and being told i was obsessive they had to change the whole transmission. Above 80kms/hr you have to crank the radio up due to the motor noise. you can feel even the smallest pebble on the road. sluggish gear change. revs up to unbearable before gear changes and sometimes you feel you want to go out to push it to move. cannot sell it or exchange it due to pathetic resale value. HANDS OFF. buy a tricycle.......more worthwhile

• 

  AVOID AT ALL COSTS - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By TIM - November 3 - 7:30 pm

  Gets 21 miles to the gallon. Stalls at stops/near stops. Have taken it in 2 times to be fixed, and they are unable to do anything about. Have had numerous other problems in the past 1.8 years. Generally, a poorly made vehicle. Am now getting rid of it.