2010 Kia Sportage - Page 1 Review

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Shopping for a 2010 Kia Sportage? MSRP: $16,995 - $23,495

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Kia’s compact Sportage SUV was first introduced back in 2005 and underwent a mild facelift just last year to improve its fuel economy, styling, and drivability.

With that in mind, there are no major changes to the 2010 lineup. For the latest model year, the Sportage comes in base LX or EX trim, along with optional all-wheel drive. The changes incorporated last year included body color-matching front and rear bumpers, a new grille design, new headlights and fog lights, and new alloy wheels. Overall, though, the Sportage keeps the same basic silhouette it's had for many years.

Under the hood, customers have a choice of either a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) technology and a respectable 140 horsepower on tap, or a 2.7-liter V-6 mill with 173 horses. Transmission options include a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The most fuel-efficient model is the base four-cylinder model with the five-speed manual, which returns an EPA-rated fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. At the other end of the scale, the V-6 automatic model returns 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Between the two, neither engine will excite, and the extra oomph from the V-6 over the four-cylinder is hardly noticeable. Acceleration is a little bit better with the V-6, but the associated loss in fuel economy is hardly worth it. The Sportage rides on McPherson struts up front, with gas-filled shock absorbers at the rear, stabilizer bars at both ends, and 16-inch wheels and tires. Handling is secure and the ride smooth, but not inspiring.