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:

• 

  Nice sport SUV with sunroof/leather seats - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By munguia - October 8 - 1:00 am

  Easy to drive and park in tight spots, Powerful air conditioning and heat system, looks more expensive than it is. I feel very safe with the 6 airbags and other safely features. Nice cargo space for a sport suv with the front passenger seat folding down.

• 

  Arthur - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Arthur - July 29 - 5:13 pm

  I have been overall impressed with my Kia Sportage. However, the gas mileage is the biggest issue. In addition, after 24,000 miles I had to replace the Bridgestone tires. Furthermore, the transmission shifts roughly sometimes when you need it going up hills, or trying to pass. The cooling fan sometimes sound like there is a knocking in the engine. I travel on avg. 1000-1200 miles per week with the kia and it handles very well and the ride is smooth for a SUV. Arthur

• 

  What I would expect... - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Vince - June 28 - 5:53 pm

  Good entry level SUV. On par with Geo Trackers and the like. The 2002 year has worked well. I have heard the horror stories from earlier models. Company has web site so I have been able able to do most repairs myself (weekend warrior) including the timing belt without too much effort. Good values available in the used market.

• 

  nice suv - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Tanya - June 16 - 4:13 am

  This is a nice small SUV. I just wish the gas mileage was a little better. I came out of a small car and I could get so much further on a tank of gas. With prices rising that is important. My kids love the roomy space and they picked out the car and they are very satisfied.

• 

  MAMA MIA, A GREAT LITTLE KIA - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By NaNu, NaNu - June 2 - 2:28 pm

• 

  800 miles and a cross-Florida trip in, great car - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By mattitude - June 1 - 12:21 pm

  Picked up a Signal Red Sportage SX w/ premium package 5 days ago, and the next day took it on a 450 mile trip for the holidays. Vehicle is great overall. We cross-shopped the SX with every single competitor, and found this to be the best value and most exciting vehicle. The second choice would have been a RAv4 but it was exceedingly boring. Were big fans of the UVO system. I had read complaints about system speed on 2011 models - Im not sure if they updated the hardware, software, or both, but in our experience so far its been very speedy. Bluetooth works wonderfully and the radio does everything we want it to. Out of space but word of advice - dont get the NAV, stick with the UVO base.

• 

  My First Car - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Daryl Joy - May 26 - 12:46 am

  Very nice exterior look, roomy interior, excellent warranty (10 years/100,000 miles). My husband loves the headroom, legroom, interior space (passenger and rear seat folds flat). Has an option for auto or manual driving. At a rear glance, people thinks its a Range Rover...front glance looks like a CRV. CONS: we only get 19 mpg highway (87 octane)

• 

  Nice Suv - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By mattblue - May 21 - 11:46 pm

  I like the Kia Sportage. I traded in my 2005 Kia Spectra and got this Sportage. I liked my Spectra but wanted something higher profiled. Gas mileage is quite a bit lower than my Spectra but knew it would be.

• 

  no power steering - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By left in the cold - May 14 - 9:16 am

  I like my 2008 Kia Sportage but I am wondering if it built to withstand the extreme cold of northern Canadian climate. In under a year, it has been to the one and only Kia dealership in the Yukon to have the power steering hose repaired twice. Both times it let me down in the cold... to deal with two small children, no vehicle to travel 100 kms home and to arrange transportation and towing. Local dealer said to back into parking spots! And, to warm it up really good. It is at the dealership to be repaired again. Is this a design problem? I believe with this problem and in these temperatures it is not reliable! I wish I would have bought a FORD!

• 

  Surprising (in a good way) - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By sphal - May 7 - 9:42 pm

  I was surprised to see the Sportage at the top of most "cute ute" lists, but after driving one I was just surprised at what a great car it is. I was set on buying a Equinox, but none were in stock on the weekend I had to buy (my old car died). I drove the Kia and found a car that was just as nice for 3-4k less. After 1 month I have no regrets, it is the perfect car for me with decent gas mileage, good looks, and lots of amenities (AWD, leather, roof, GPS).