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:

• 

  Big Mistake - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By bjohnson - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle partly due to the warranty and because of the affordability. Big mistake. I now know why it has such an extensive warranty - youll need it. Poor quality interior. Constant problems with electric windows not working. Replaced master cyclinder. Cup holders breaking. Air conditioner now broken. Shudders while sitting at lights. Transmission doesnt shift gears properly. Depreciates in value so quickly I will be stuck with it for years to come.

• 

  Be careful I love the sportage but not 2017 model - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By jerry - December 2 - 4:02 am

  Let me start by saying my wife and I have owned 2 kias and we have loved them. You cant beat the warranty and I think the build quality is good. There is only 2 dealers near where we live so we went to the closest one first to take the 2017 out for a test drive. When we first seen the car we loved the way it looked and the inside was even better (we looked at a Hyundai before we went to the kia dealer and they are almost the same) the problem I had was when I turned the key and heard the noise the engine made. It was HORRIBLE, I have a strong mechanical background and the tapping noise the car makes inside and out is unacceptable to me. What it is is the high pressure injection system (fuel pump and injectors) . Now if you know nothing about machinery you may not notice the noise this makes and if so buy the car it is a good car I am just giving my opinion about the fuel system. Now the dealer will try to tell you that this noise will stop after the car has warmed up but this is just not true, They may also say that this is new technology but this is also false. All I am asking is you research direct inject systems and educate yourself on the positives (and there are a bunch) and on the negatives. Sorry to be such a downer on this I love the car but they could have relocated the fuel pump and insulated the firewall better to quiet the tapping noise..

• 

  Piece of JUNK - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By KIA Sportage - August 16 - 6:23 am

  Piece of junk. I will not buy another KIA. It is in the shop with more repairs being done than I am able to drive it. Heater blows cold air, Shocks and bearings have had to be replaced, ESC sensor goes out on it, Wiper blades stick to the windshield. This is just to name a few of the problems with it.

• 

  sportage - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By jen b. - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Owned for two years, taken off on rollback twice for warranty claims (mechanical). Has had new master cylinder, fuel inj system, cat converters, wiring, seats, drink holder, window motors(2) replaced. OK vehicle but would NOT buy again. Trade in value awful. Sick of truck and stuck with it until I can break even. On good side - great in snow and good for kids. On bad side - my 22 year old car has better reliability record. Manual tranny definitely better power than automatic. OK for someone just starting out because of warranty, but be prepared for problems.

• 

  Defective Vehicle - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By NCASE - March 25 - 8:18 am

  Loved my 2012 Sportage. This 2017 has a major defect that is apparently a recall in the waiting. The transmission is worse than bad. Mine has locked into a gear and would not change. It constantly downshifts when it has no business shifting...thus, planting you into the steering wheel. It has a proclivity to slip into neutral while driving causing the RPMs to redline for no reason. The dealer has no idea what to do about it because Kia hasnt come up with a fix. I am aware of three other cars just like mine with the same issues.....all brand new. Ive had strangers come up to me in parking lots and ask if my tranny is screwed up too. Kia has to be aware they are selling cars with a defect.

• 

  Too many Problems!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Lou&Beth - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited when I first got my Kia...however, 2 wks later my battery died, it took Kia 2 days to replace it. Then my power steering went out (car had only 400 miles on it by then!). Now A/C makes rattling noises and transmission is going out - has 22,000miles and I really baby my car, do not drive it tough! Trying desperately to get rid of it - low resale value though. My dealership wont give out rentals while repairs are being done & the repair shop is ALWAYS packed! -- BE WARNED --

• 

  Terrible - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Eric b - December 5 - 12:11 pm

  Started off as a great car then slowly became a money pit, due to the electrical recall that the dealership "forgot " to tell us about. Please spend your money elsewhere.

• 

  Avoid the Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Robert Galbraith - September 3 - 2:00 am

  While mechanically the Sportage is fairly sound, youll run into all kinds of problems with the body paint, dashboard lights, windows, cup holders and just about everything on the vehicle, except the engine. You will also find almost no support from KIA dealerships. Youll also discover that KIA service people know little or nothing about this vehicle. Like other Sportage owners, my engine light has always stayed on. The service people have no idea why this is. (In my last trip to the garage, they did fix it, and the light went back on as I drove home!!!) The Sportage is also an unstable vehicle to drive in high winds. Tire quality is also very poor.

• 

  Worse vehicle ever purchased so I traded it in - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By applegator - January 22 - 7:50 pm

  The vehicle did not get stated MPG. 1 week after I bought my Kia I learned Kia/Hyundai had overstated the MPG on several models and the Sportage was 1 of them. I also learned in 2002 Kia/Hyundai had a class action lawsuit against them 4 overstating horsepower on several of their vehicles which eroded my confidence in Kia. I read numerous reviews of buyers complaining their warranty was not honored so I decided all things considered Kia was not a manufacturer I felt I could trust. What good is a great warranty if a buyer cannot be sure it will be honored? Seats uncomfortable, ride bumpy, poor visibility out rear, poor mileage so I traded it in 4 a Toyota.

• 

  Not a good idea - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Lace - January 5 - 11:40 pm

  I got a kia sportage for my first car, because I thought "hey I could get a mini suv and have it good on gas. Well it is nothing like a suv there is no room in the back seat and I always had my friends knees in my back. When I first got the car nothing was wrong with it but 2 weeks later we had to do a $600 repair, and the ac couldnt be on because then the car would over heat. It has been in the shop well over 6 times and I have had it only fir about a year, and now the radiator split. All in all it is the worst car I could have ever chosen to be my first car. Parents please dont get this car for your child as there first car.