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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  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 --

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  my kia - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Irishhobbit - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 Kia (it had 101k miles) at the end of last year and have averaged 1000 miles a month. I love to drive it and fits all my gear for camping. Ive had a few problems do to someone over heating the engine before I bought it.

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  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.

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  Rollover Deathtrap - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Soisi - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Simply put, these vehicles are too narrow, too short and thus rollover too easily. My wife turned one over four times after a gust of wind hit the Kia broadside in a heavy rain. Aggressive driving manuevers, such as trying to correct after a skid will flip these vehicles. I do not suggest them for anyone.

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  2017 KIA Sportage - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Bridgette Gilson - November 26 - 10:18 pm

  Would hold out for the highest package with power hatch in 2 wheel drive.

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  Fun to drive vehicle with its quriks. - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By mjonm - November 24 - 12:58 am

  Fun to drive SUV. We replaced a 2006 Nissan Murano that was a gas hog,and was falling apart and this is a much better SUV. The Nissan rogue we test drove was a piece of crap,and the visibility was horrible and the CRV? garbage,RAV 4? ugly. The Sportage offers alot of excellent standard features over those other models. The only downsize is the hard plastic interior that easily scratches even if you breathe on it. Kia should improve it and make the interior better quality and durable with softer touch materials and padding.

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  Finally - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Dick Faust - November 23 - 3:43 pm

  We have a 2011 Sportage and still love it. This represents the first radical change since that model came out. It meets my entire checklist of must have items except for adaptive radar cruise, which is only available in larger models. We were willing to forgo that option in favor of the size of the Sportage which is just right for us. We couldnt be happier. Kia has worked on every feature to make it smoother, softer and more advanced while still intuitive.

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  Nice exterior/poor reliability - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Brandrews - November 13 - 10:00 pm

  Bought this car brand new with 87 kilometers on it. Right off the bat the stereo didnt work right. Lost reception in the city all the time. Dealership replaced stereo, didnt fix it. Replaced wiring, didnt fix it. Replaced antenna, didnt fix it. Installed an aftermarket FM Modulator, didnt fix it. They hacked up my dashboard with their tools. 8 months later, countless calls to Kia Canada. Nothing has been fixed. The car hasnt started 5 times since I bought it brand new. The hinges on the back liftgate began to degrade and caused rust streaks down my back window. When fixing this issue, the dealership chipped two pieces off of the roof of my car. Now I need to have the roof repainted.

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  I LOVE MY SPORTAGE! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Genie Candler - November 10 - 9:03 pm

  I knew the first time that I slIpped behind the wheel of my 2005 Kia Sportage that I was meant to drive it. I was scared, because Im only 52," so I had always feared the SUV, knowing I would never see out of it. But my salesman had more confidence than I did, as we went for a ride. It drove like a dream, and it still does, months later. And, for you short people out there -- I CAN SEE OUT OF IT (better, actually, than I could in my old car). The mileage is better than I could have hoped for in even a small SUV, and it is the most fun car that I have ever driven. I now know that my next car will be a Kia, and the next one, and the next one.

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  Would like to know - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By cookie - November 9 - 10:00 am

  great car. drives a little rougher than the chevy hhr that i traded on this car but overall nice. did dealer charge anyone else $1000.00 above sticker price? just noticed paperwork.