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:

• 

  Sporty Sportage Rocks - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Lori - November 16 - 7:23 pm

  Compared the Jeep Liberty, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V, BOUGHT the Kia Sportage, Best value, nicest looking, handles like a dream, better equipped, best warranty and fully loaded it was the lowest in price! GREAT SUV. Highly recommend.

• 

  2000 Kia Sportage EX 4WD - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By My Keya - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I obtained this vehicle 12/2003 with 35,264 miles. So far everything has been going good. The Four Wheel Drive System is a plus. However I dislike that in Two Wheel Drive (2H mode)that its Rear Wheel Drive and not Front Wheel Drive like some of its compeititors.

• 

  2013 Sportage rear end - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By rottensox - November 6 - 5:50 am

  In my later posts, I described the problem with the rear differential leaking. The dealer replaced the differential twice. In the end, they put a totally different differential in. Judging by the date stamp on the casting, it was manufactured in 2010. So far, it seems to be working fine and theres no evidence of a leak. However, it did take them two weeks to fix it. They gave me a free cargo mat for the inconvenience. Big deal. I think, given the profit margin on the sale, they could have done MUCH better.

• 

  Nice SUV but.... - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By chris - November 4 - 10:33 pm

  I love the look and handling of my 2009 Kia Sportage but, the headrests are at the most uncomforatable angle and there isnt anything I can do to adjust them. The angle is too far forward!

• 

  3 months of ownership, radio gone - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By GH - November 3 - 11:20 am

  My radio went at mile 3,700. I took it to the dealer and was told a "refurbished" one would be installed. I was told it would take 4 days, then told up to two weeks and today, due to back order it could take up to 2 months to replace. Refurbished because they say that is all the Kia offers. And forget about calling "customer care" they do nothing to get the matter resolved, they just confirmed there was a back order of refurbished radios and there was nothing they could do. I would have to wait. I suggested getting a radio from a vehicle on the lot, no can do, they said. By the way, I will need a new dash since I now have three screw driver marks and scratches that were left on the dash.

• 

  Happy Kia Owner - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Keith - November 2 - 5:13 am

  I bought my Kia Sportage last December and I love it. I have taken several long distant trips with it and never have had a problem. It is comfortable to drive, fun to drive and more roomy than expected. I have a wife and two small children and we and all of our stuff fit in it when we travel. Also, I went out shooting in the desert when it was really muddy and the 4WD handled like a pro. My dad just went out and bought one.

• 

  no spare tire!!! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By freddy - October 18 - 3:37 pm

  It doesnt come with spare tire!!!!!!!!I found out a week after I bought it. when I went to lift the cover in the back they it came with a kit fill up the air and call the 1800 number for road assistance, but the problem I have to find a use tire. I never asked because to me thats common sense that a tire should be there it has the holder but no tire.

• 

  One year old and nothing but problems - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By angry KIA owner - October 17 - 10:00 am

  We owned the Sportage six months when the bottom section of the cupholder fell off, spilling hot coffee on me while driving. A month later, the cover for the sun visor mirror fell off. Last winter the back passenger window stopped working, and about the same time, during freezing rain with my kids in the vehicle, the wipers stopped working. Now, after 35000 kms (30000 of those highway kms) it needs new front brakes and the rotors are trashed. Never had a vehicle needing brakes this soon before! Its highly unfortunate we leased this vehicle as we are now stuck for another three years costing us nothing but problems and money.

• 

  Fun car - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Lia - October 14 - 5:46 am

  I really like this little guy. Its so cute, I have to say it looks smaller then it is. Very roomy inside and I will say for the warranty and price no other car in its class can beat it. It says alot about the manufacturer to put a 5 yr 60k mile warranty on their vehicle they must not be expecting a bunch of big issues. One thing I would change would be to have a better (taller) armrest and a bit less plastic in the car, but the sat radio and ipod jack are awesome. Power seats standard on driver side would be cool, also a little less cabin noise its louder then my Nissan but hey its an suv But I bought this for practicality so for that it gets a 10. I hope it continues to make me happy

• 

  Nice get around town vehicle - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By azmark - October 12 - 8:16 pm

  Fuel mileage has been better than expected (27 MPG), performance with the 4 cyl a little sluggish, loud engine noise while cruising at freeway speed. Sensor light came on for ESC Off about 4 days after purchasing, finally getting fixed this week. Car feels a little cheaply made, but you get what you pay for. For purposes of getting around town, its a nice enough vehicle. Would marginally recommend.