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 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.

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  Tire Issue - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By eve - May 8 - 11:00 pm

  Love most everything about the car except having to change the tires so often. Have 112K on it and have changed out 4 sets. Redid struts & still going through tires.

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  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.

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  Think twice about a kia sportage! - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By UnhappywithKia - April 19 - 10:00 am

  im only leasing my kia & i cant wait until 5/05 when this lease is over. rear window motors replaced twice, broken again, muffler fell off, entire exhaust sytem replaced. overheated... radiator,thermostat,water pump & some gasket thing replaced, power steering belt broke. over 20 trips to the dealership in 3 yrs...more problems than my last 4 vehicles combined!

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  2013 Kia Sportage - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By luv2golfnski - April 2 - 9:09 am

  Great little SUV. Fun and easy to drive and at a price that is very easy on the pocket book. Love the color selection, we picked "SeaHawk Blue" and couldnt be happier

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  LOVE THIS even after a YEAR!!!! - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By julie46 - March 29 - 9:54 am

  Waited a year and 16,000 miles to review. I love it just as much as when i bought it!! Fun to drive. I get good mpg. Depending on the gas and time of the year Ive gotton from23-33 mpg. Plenty of get up and go. Roomy back seat for 3 normal size people. Totally cool looking, my friend liked mine so much she bought one just like it. did good in snow, but dont get much snow so not alot of experience in it. The only small complaint is the blue tooth voice isnt as accurate as Id like. Would buy again and recommend again! Ps nice solid feel.

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  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.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By texassportage - March 11 - 10:03 am

  I used Edmunds and other websites to research my compact SUV purchase and my final four were the: CR-V, Sportage, RAV4, and Tucson. My wife has a Kia already so it was the first place we went. I was so impressed with the drive of this vehicle that we didnt even bother test driving anything else. This car was already the best "deal" and the fact that it drove well, was comfortable, fun, and the perfect size for us now...and in the future (there are clasps for child safety seats on all three back seats) made it the right car for us. I am really impressed with its power too. It used to be considered a toy car - but I would recommend this SUV to anyone who wants a little more room.

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  Love my Kia - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By JENin5280 - February 17 - 6:46 am

  This is my second Kia. My first was a 2003 Sorento that I loved dearly, it just started getting expensive to maintain. So I "downgraded" or so I thought. I am always impressed with Kia and my Sportage is no exception. Gas mileage improves with every tank. Great, smooth ride. I drove 3 different Hondas and no one ever pulled up next to me at a light to ask me about my Honda, but they have about both of my Kias. People are curious. I love my Sportage, I loved my Sorento and I would recommend them to anyone. Oh, and I took it up to Breckenridge and over Loveland Pass a month ago and it performed flawlessly.

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  BUILT SOLID & FUN TO DRIVE - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By alikcee - February 13 - 10:39 am

  My first foreigners car..I exchange my Ford explorer V8 to this Brand new Sportage 2012 in Signal Red..I really liked it. I thought I am down grading my car to 4cylender car but not. I cant feel the difference. While I am going up a stiff hill I thought this car will give up on me. This baby went up up up up zoommmmm...Very cool . Very quality , firmed , the audio package wow wow wow..I didnt regret to buy this suv , paid in cash too.. When I am driving, I got so much attention .:) Love my Brand new sportage . I am not going to the pump very often like my v8 ford explorer..I love american made cars but I want to give this a try...Glad I did...No regrets..