Kia Sportage

Angular Front Exterior View - 2008 Kia Sportage 2WD 4-door I4 Auto LX

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Shopping for a 2012 Kia Sportage? MSRP: $18,500 - $28,400

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The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV that combines all-wheel drive surefootedness for modest off-roading and all-weather driving with a tall-wagon layout that has made it a good pick for small or growing families. With generous seating for five, fuel efficient engines and bargain basement pricing, the current Kia Sportage is also an excellent package for value-conscious buyers.

The first generation of the Sportage was quite a different vehicle than what's sold under the same nameplate today; it was introduced in 1993, as a primarily rear-wheel-drive vehicle, and faced an uphill battle from the start, due to tough competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. Despite a strong start, however, this more truck-like vehicle was eventually discontinued from sale in the U.S. in 2002 and wasn’t replaced until the second-generation model arrived in 2004.

By this time, the compact crossover SUV segment had exploded with newcomers like the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, and Honda CR-V, so competition was rife. The second-generation Kia Sportage was criticized for being losing the off-road prowess of its predecessor, while not quite being up to the standards of powertrain refinement of its rivals--though a new V-6 engine was added to the lineup and overall fit and finish was improved considerably.

A facelifted version was introduced in 2008 and featured a few minor styling updates. The changes consisted of new-look bumpers, revised headlights and an updated dashboard and instrument panel. The base Kia Sportage featured a 141 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive as standard, while the range-topper comes with a 175 horsepower 2.7-liter V-6 engine and all-wheel drive. Transmission options include a five-speed manual or an outdated four-speed automatic. Overall, these models remained a strong value, although in performance they were clearly not quite up to the level of many rivals.

The Kia Sportage was redesigned for 2011, with crisp new styling, a longer wheelbase, more interior and cargo space, and an improved ride. Mechanically, the latest Sportage shares much in common with the Hyundai Tucson, which was redesigned a year earlier, though the styling is a key differentiating factor. A direct-injection, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 176 hp provides more gusto than former V-6 models, while there's also a 260-hp turbocharged SX model. All-wheel drive remained an option across the line, and a differential lock helps with the tough stuff. Overall, we've found these models to be quite roomy, with good seating space and reasonably good performance in standard trims, although ride quality suffers if you step up to 18-inch wheels.

Features have been thoroughly updated in this current generation, with items like keyless start, Bluetooth, a USB port and satellite radio now included in most models, and leather upholstery, heated seats, a cooled driver's seat and the more sophisticated UVO connectivity system now offered in top trims. For 2011 and 2012, the Sportage has been an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Angular Rear Exterior View - 2008 Kia Sportage 2WD 4-door I4 Auto LX

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