1995-2002 Kia Sportage: Road Test

Handling with the Sportage wagon or convertible is a pleasant surprise, not unlike that of a good sporty small sedan. For its size, Sportage has a fairly wide track (width between wheels on the same axle), so stability in tight turns is good and body lean surprisingly modest. Springing is tight, though, so the ride is more "trucky" than carlike, with moderate bounce and pitch on patchy pavement. Even the manual-shift Sportage wagon feels sluggish in routine driving, especially when going up steep grades. Acceleration is even worse with the optional automatic transmission. Passing power ranks as adequate. Noise levels are fairly high from all sources, even in gentle highway cruising. The engine is exceptionally loud and gruff when worked even moderately hard. A new Sportage averaged 19 mpg in 4-wheel drive with a 5-speed, which was slightly less than a CR-V or RAV4 wagon. The wagon is shorter than most compact SUVs, yet provides adequate room for four adults. Head clearance is particularly good, even for 6-footers, though rear leg and knee space are limited. Easy entry/exit is another plus, thanks to rather large doors and relatively low step-in height. The convertible's back seat is best left to children. The driver enjoys a well-arranged dashboard with carlike instruments and controls, plus a clear view to all quarters--although the available outside spare tire gets in the way when looking directly aft. At least that outside spare frees up useful cargo room inside, and the wagon's rear seat easily folds to increase the space. Actually, getting decent cargo space in either body style requires folding of the back seat.

Value for the Money
Looked at in terms of long-term value, a CR-V or RAV4 would be the better choice. Those two also are more pleasant to drive and better built. Worse yet, Kia has ranked near the bottom of the list in consumer surveys of reliability and customer satisfaction.