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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  Great Crossover - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By johann sylvestre - July 1 - 6:04 am

  The only issue is being that my wife is vertically challenged (short), she does not find the headrests comfortable.

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  Did My Homework - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Annette - June 28 - 10:04 am

  2017 Kia Sportage SX AWD is amazing, after doing my homework, new Sportage offers best new car for price. Plenty of power when needed and gas mileage which was my main concern has not been much of an issue. One 600 mile drive on mostly cruise I got 27 MPG. Very luxurious interior with good placement of controls. Love the ventilated seats, heated steering. Everything I need with one exception, adaptive cruise control. Other than that all the safety features are included. We own a Kia Optima as well which we have loved but had roof noise which took 2 trips to the service dept. to repair. Sportage is much quieter and the moon roof is very large, very nice. Easy to get in and out of, plenty of back storage with seats forward or about the same size as my last Subaru Outback.

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  Catch a Sport! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Stuart Brooks - June 20 - 7:11 pm

  Just Bought this 2017 Kia Sportage LX on 4/3/16. This is a 4th Generation Sportage. Much improved over the 2016. 1 1/2 inches longer, more sound deadning materials, improved interior over 2016. I have only owned this vehicle a coulple of days. Fit Finish, performance, this Vehicle is a must see on your list of cross over SuVs. Even includes a Backup camera on the LX Models! Long Warranty. Test Drive it! You will be pleasantly Surprised! Just added another Review on 10/5/16---Have owned this Sportage now for 5 months and I still stand behind my review above. DRIVE IT! YOU DECIDE SPORTAGE OR CR-V! Kia has gone the extra mile to really come up with a real winner here!

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  Love my Kia, a real trooper!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By rrman79 - June 20 - 5:35 pm

  I have a convertable 2002 Kia Sportage, I love this car and I am sad to say in a few weeks I will be selling it to a buddy at work. My Sportage has 119,000 miles on it now, I bought it with 9,000! So far I have had to replace the roof (vinyl top) that was because for the first 4 years of ownership I did not have a garage!! The air-conditioner compressor locked up at about 60,000, but being a convertable, why do you need A/C? The 4 wheel drive went out about the same time, somthing about the seals rotting?? And just recently had the Master Brake Cylinder replaced. You might say, how can this guy still love this car?? I have had it for 8 years now, and it never quit on me!! A faithful friend

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  Great Kia Sportage - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Elvedin - June 14 - 11:57 pm

  Everything is good about it. I love it. Great car. Its fast. Good size

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  Awesome car - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By gerardw - June 8 - 4:34 am

  Living in Central Canada where the winter weather can get down into the -40C range, and the summer temps, like today, can hover in the +30C area, I read reports on the Sportage and decided to buy. I previously had a Kia Magentis for five years, which, to date is the best car I have ever owned. The Sportage is coming in a close second. Very comfortable, great ride, good on gas and excellent dealer service all add up to continuing with this brand next year. No problem starting in the cold weather and efficient air conditioning in the summer bring excellent reliability. I miss an inside armrest, wish it had digital temperature controls, but if that is all I have to complain about????

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  Wheres the storage tray? - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By hybanker - June 7 - 12:03 pm

  Anybody else get a new sportage and have the dealer tell them the rear storage tray will be available later? Its listed as standard equipment, but my dealer cant find one or order one. Otherwise very happy with the purchase. Nice warranty - I got rid of a Ford Freestyle because the transfer case kept leaking.

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  For the money, its a steal - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Carl from Montana - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Mine has 22000 miles in first six months. Several trips of 5,000 miles virtually non-stop DC to MT. Offroad driving in snow in Rockies(its rocky, not muddy). Mountains, switchbacks....The car is a steal. 24mpg. Holds 70+ mph on long grades. Could use more power but not much more. Light, so wind buffet an issue on windy days. Noise an issue-- almost as noisy as a Jeep Wrangler softtop. But a most competent performer and a steal for the price. (14,000+)

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  Great Car for Price - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Rusty - May 19 - 10:36 am

  Purchased this for my wife. We looked at the CR-V, but it was not available with a V6. Also, was about 10K more when compared to our fully loaded KIA. Also, the KIA has a better warranty. This car is excellent for the price. The 4X4 w/ESC and TRAC is GREAT in the snow and ice. Leather heated seats & remote start are nice and a must for cold weather users. Not impressed with the gas mileage. We have yet to see better then 18.5 MPG in the city. (About 17 in the winter.) I was never a fan of KIA before I purchased this, but so far, I have been impressed. I would purchase again.

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  Great Sporty SUV - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Kim - May 14 - 3:16 am

  As a previous high end car owner, I tried a more reasonably priced car with a better warranty for my new car. I enjoy my Sportage so much,;rides well, lots of comfort items inside, and great on gas. I am very happy with this vehicle.