2005-2008 Kia Sportage: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2005-2008 Kia Sportage and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Cargo room
Cons
- Acceleration (4-cyl)
Vehicle Highlights
Kia introduced a new compact SUV for 2005 with standard curtain side airbags. The '05 Sportage shared its car-type platform with the Hyundai Tucson produced by Kia's corporate parent. Sportage offered 4- or 6-cyl engines and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. LX and EX models were available. Base LXs came with a 140-hp 4-cyl and a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. LX V6s and EXs came with a 173-hp V6 and automatic only. All were available with AWD that lacked low-range gearing but had a dashboard switch that locked in a 50/50 front/rear torque split. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction/antiskid control was standard. So were front side airbags and curtain side airbags. An EX Luxury Package added leather upholstery and heated front seats. Kia shared Hyundai's warranty coverage of 5-years/50,000-mi. basic, 10/100,000 powertrain, but only the basic warranty was transferable to a second owner.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Kia Sportage AWD EX Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 54 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2005-2008 Kia Sportage. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2005-2008 Kia Sportage.
Year to Year Changes
2006 Kia Sportage:
No significant changes.
2007 Kia Sportage:
Sportage was unchanged for 2007.
2008 Kia Sportage:
The 2008 Kia Sportage was largely unchanged.
Our road test for the 2005-2008 Kia Sportage includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2005-2008 Kia Sportage and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2005-2008 Kia Sportage is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Four-cyl models are fine for normal commuting, but lack power for confident highway merging and passing. The V6 is about as peppy as 4-cyl engines in Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The automatic transmission is responsive with either engine, though not even the V6 has an abundance of passing punch. We've had no opportunity to test with manual transmission. Test AWD EX's 19.4-mpg average is very similar to that of test 4-cyl CR-V and V6 Ford Escape. There's been no opportunity to measure with the 4-cyl. Note that V6 models have a 17.2-gal fuel tank vs. 15.3 for 4-cyl models. Around town, Sportage is composed, though slightly less absorbent over sharp bumps than sibling Tucson. A firm suspension transmits faint vibration through the steering column on coarse surfaces and can jolt over sharp ridges. Handling is taut and balanced, with little body lean for a small SUV. Steering is a bit firmer than in Tucson. Brakes have progressive pedal feel and provide quick, sure stops. Road noise comes through in the form of body drumming, and there's noticeable tire noise. Wind rush is well-suppressed. The four-cyl engine is coarse and buzzy. The V6 is quiet at cruise, but strains loudly in fast acceleration. Gauges are clearly marked and easy to see. All controls are grouped conveniently in the easy-to-reach center dashboard stack. Dials have rubber grips for better feel. Sportage's interior materials are a cut above CR-V and slightly upscale of Tucson. In front, there's adequate leg room and generous head room. Both the cloth and leather seats are comfortable, with good side-bolster support. The standard tilt steering wheel helps tailor a good driving position. Over-the-shoulder visibility is partially blocked by thick rear pillars. Taller back-seat riders may find the available sunroof's housing cuts into head room. Leg room in back is good, becoming tight only for taller riders with the front seats more than halfway back. Slim door bottoms mildly impede entry/exit. There's room behind the rear seats for groceries but not large objects. The rear seats fold down to form a flat load floor. A separate-opening tailgate window adds convenience. The cabin has eight cupholders, including one in each door, and adequate small-item storage.
Value for the Money
Sportage is a fine light-duty people-mover with an impressive list of standard equipment and modest off-road capabilities. We prefer the available V6; it provides class-competitive power and is smoother than rivals' fours, though no more powerful.
Sportage is a fine light-duty people-mover with an impressive list of standard equipment and modest off-road capabilities. We prefer the available V6; it provides class-competitive power and is smoother than rivals' fours, though no more powerful.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Kia Sportage AWD EX Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 54 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Kia Sportage includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Kia Sportage .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Check-engine light:
Check engine light may illuminate and a trouble code for problem with reverse gear may be set on vehicles with 2.7L engine requiring reprogramming transmission control module. (2005-06)
Headlights:
Early-build vehicles were wired is such a way that the fog lights can be turned on when the high beams are in use and must be rewired to prevent this so as to meet local and/or state laws. (2005)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $600 |
| Alternator | $710 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,105 |
| Brakes | $325 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $830 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $930 |
| Exhaust System | $440 |
| Radiator | $650 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $720 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $450 |
Our price chart for this generation Kia Sportage details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Sportage 4-cyl. | $13,200-14,800 | $12,000-13,500 | $7,700-8,600 |
| Sportage V6 | $14,700-17,300 | $13,400-15,700 | $9,100-10,700 |
| 2007 | |||
| Sportage 4-cyl. | $11,500-13,000 | $10,400-11,700 | $6,300-7,200 |
| Sportage V6 | $12,500-14,500 | $11,300-13,100 | $7,100-8,300 |
| 2006 | |||
| Sportage 4-cyl. | $10,200-11,500 | $9,200-10,400 | $5,300-6,000 |
| Sportage V6 | $11,000-13,000 | $9,900-11,700 | $5,900-7,000 |
| 2005 | |||
| Sportage 4-cyl. | $9,000-10,000 | $8,100-9,000 | $4,700-5,200 |
| Sportage V6 | $9,700-11,700 | $8,700-10,500 | $5,000-6,100 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Kia Sportage include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door hatchback | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 171.3 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.9 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 66.7 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3406 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 66.6 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.3 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.7 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.1 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.4 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.2 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A 2.0-liter 140-hp 4-cylinder engine with 136 lb-ft of torque was offered with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. A 2.7-liter 173-hp V6 with 178 lb-ft of torque was offered only with the 4-speed automatic.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.0 / 121 | 140 | 136 | 5-speed manual: 22/27 4-speed automatic: 21/26 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc V6 | 2.7 / 162 | 173 | 178 | 4-speed automatic: 19/23 | 4-speed automatic: 19.4 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Kia Sportage include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2005-2008 Kia Sportage directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2005 Sportage:
A fuel-tank leak could occur when the tank is full, possibly resulting in engine stalling at a stop and fire in the presence of an ignition source. Dealer will replace the fuel tank and charcoal canister.
2005 Sportage:
Defective parking-brake lever may not engage or may allow vehicle to roll when engaged, which may result in a crash. Dealer will replace parking-brake-lever assembly.
2005 Sportage:
The antiskid system may inappropriately reduce power and apply the brakes while driving, resulting in a skid or crash. Dealer will reprogram the antiskid system hydraulic electronic control unit.
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