Advantages: This is a very affordable SUV. Disadvantages: This is a very crappy SUV. Unless you only drive on paved roads for short distances, of course.
...privilege of driving a 1998 Kia Sportage 4x4 for the last few weeks.
Actually, I should say that I’ve had the DISPLEASURE, as every time I get behind the wheel I find something else to hate about this, Korea’s weak attempt to bring Americans a Sport Utility Vehicle that Does Not Suck.
They failed miserably, of course.
The Sportage is a small SUV, capable of holding one driver, one front-seat passenger, three rear seat passengers, and ... ...zippered affair – features the Kia logo and a large “4x4” emblem below it: Obviously we want the entire universe to know exactly what we are driving.
To open the rear door (a hatch much like any minivan), you must depress a lever to allow the tire storage rack to swing out of the way; unlock the rear door, and open.
That’s fine and dandy.
To shut the stupid storage rack, you must slam it as hard as you possibly can. Lightweights ...
Sarah_B 10.02.2002
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Advantages: nice and high and robust enough for the kids Disadvantages: spare tyre position
The Kia Sportage - well I'm on my second one, so that says it all really.
I owned one and loved it but for personal reasons sold it on and bought a saloon. Within a year I had replaced the saloon with another Sportage (I missed it so much). They are great.
So, on and off I've driven a Sportage for around 5 years now. It's robust enough to take a number of kids on the school run as well as half the hockey team (and all the kit) to our matches. It ... ...more. It seems to like it rough! As to my driving, I think that is a bit rough as well, resulting in my second set of tyres within 18 months - that's my only real fault with the Sportage, but like I say it's really my driving rather than the tyres being at fault.
So, as well as everyday journeys the Sportage has also been camping - with back seats flat it took a huge amount of kit including a huge 12 person tent! It's also recently travelled to ...
AllySB 15.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Looks
Quick review of Kia Sportage 2.0
I purchased a Kia Sportage XS TDI, last November. This is the most impressive car I have ever owned in terms of what you get for your money, since November I have driven 15,000 miles in real comfort, heated leather seats, quiet - even at high speeds, it almosts whispers at around 75/80 (Shhhhh). Off road - NO PROBLEM!!, with better off road tyres it would be even better, it is a real looker in bright blue and friends with other 4x4's are now re-thinking the next purchase, I have towed with it, followed big 4x4's down tracks that I didnt expect to come out the other end from, I have 3 teenagers who all fit in it comfortably AND THINK ITS COOL!!!!! ...
Advantages: Good Turning Circle, economy, reliability Disadvantages: Low torque engine, short weelbase gives choppy ride
...been nicer for towing, it is revvy and not full of torque but it is reliable.
I am now looking to buy a Kia Sedona 2.9TD as this will make towing easier but I am hanging on to the Sportage and hope to write another review at 200,000 miles! ...
eggman2 13.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Advantages: Love the exterior which different design compared to normal bullets Disadvantages: Smaller interior than expected compared to the outside
Overall its a very good car... Considering owning it for 7 years since Feb 2000... A silver metalic colored, 2CC, 4DW automatic with extra manual gear (which I\'ve never use before as it has sufficient power for normal driving and also for highway, didn\'t really need it even when I was going up the slope too), fabric seats. Love the exterior most with its cool design. Like the more squarish shape which gives attitute to both the car and the driver. ... ...which has the bullet look or the roundish shape... Very suitable for people like me who is taller and bigger build. (hard to imagine myself driving a car with lower body in future) Gives people a feeling of power with such design cars... Very solid looking...
Installed extra accessories such as kangaroo bar, which I\'m very glad of having as I got into an accident 2 weeks after driving it but my car was totally scratchless, the other party however ...
GeliTifa 14.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Advantages: Affordable fun 4x4 action Disadvantages: Splitting wheel hubs
The Kia Sportage, well what can I say ? This vehicle has the grunt of a Range Rover but at a very affordable price! I have had this vehicle for 18 months and put it through all sorts of terrains, Sea, Rivers, Sand , Mud and normal Condtions. The Sportage handled all situations with guts and ease. Being a sports boat owner I use my Kia to tow the boat taking it from county to county, country to country and again in all situation the Kia pulls as if ... ...town, or long distance, the Kia always gives you 265 miles per tank regardless. Being aimed at the consumer who wants great value at an affordable price, the Kia comes with a considerable amount of extras that you would normally expect to pay extra for. These include:- Air Conditioning. Alloy Wheels. Spare Wheel cover. Electric windows all round. For an additional charge, you can have fitted:- Tow bar. Side steps. Front Bull Bar. Stainless Steel ...
JimPotter 30.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Advantages: Highly competitive on price. Disadvantages: Low power.
...finally came down to the Kia Sportage or a Toyota Suma, both at about the same price of $ 22,000 (2003 model). Further enquiries decided me on the Kia which suffered relatively few car thefts in comparison with "top spot attraction" Toyota.
The Kia purchase did not come without some doubts as I wondered if their limited experience in manufacturing SUV's had enabled them to iron out the inevitable, initial kinks. Now, some 12 months later, I am able ... ...Middle East I fear the Kia Sportage would not be up to the task. Now in Colombia where sinuous mountain roads are the norm, I regret the car again shows its deficiencies. As a retiree I now leave the more adventurous driving to the younger fraternity, but I must admit to groaning when I come up behind yet another labouring lorry and sadly admit that I can only accompany him on his ascent.
Dear Mr. Kia. I like your Sportage very much, but if you ...
Shaksper 22.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
I had one of these while I was on holiday in Florida. It was a great little 4x4 you sit high up in the seats so you can see over the traffic. The cruise control function (you tell it the speed you want to go and it'll stay at that speed until you break) was a great advantage on America as most of the roads are straight but it probably won't be as much use in England as most of the roads are curvy. The air conditioning is also an advantage on those ...
lyndon 23.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Looks
Quick review of Kia Sportage 2.0
I have had this 2.0 diesel sportage for nearly a year and love it. I love all the gagets inside, like the place to put sunglasses, bag hooks, 8 cup holders, under seat storage in the passenger seat and the seat warmers on the cold winter mornings!. All the little things that help you, especially with kids and the dog. It drives great. Its reliable. I do alot of mileage including motorway, long distance and country roads and it handles well. There is enough room for the family including two kids and a large dog. There should be more on the road, so if you fancy a 4x4 buy the kia sportage. ...
Josie-lynn 07.02.2008 (06.02.2008)
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Advantages: If you are a pet owners(dogs) the large boot area is ideal for transporting your pet. Disadvantages: Bit heavy on petrol when just running on short trips. Motorway petrol usage excellent.
...then you will appreciate the Kia Sportage. Plenty of room for you and your human passengers but more importantly plenty of rear space for your dog(s).
My dog used to suffer from travel sickness (quite distressing for dog and owner) when I had a saloon vehicle. However, since acquiring a second hand Kia Sportage, with it's higher road clearance (less noise) and great handling (less throwing about) my dog has enjoyed our trips out especially long ...
bubbles57 16.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Advantages: The look of a 4x4 for an unbeatable price Disadvantages: Suspension is a bit hard
I purchased a 2.0 diesel Sportage XE in August 2005 and took it everywhere, we were inseperable. The pulling power of a tractor and the quietness of an executive saloon. There are a lot of useful features as standard with shopping bag holders in the passenger well to stop all of the usual suspects from rolling all over the place whilst you drive, as well as a useful cargo net as standard in the boot, which is relatively small but does a pushchair ... ...for ease of removal but if you have anything higher than a pushchair it needs to stay out, although fully pushed together it does fit snuggly into the front of the boot area. If you have a baby then the front pasenger seat folds flat with a hard back and forms a very handy changing table/feeding station. If not it makes a great picnic table for the great british summer. ...
firpster 15.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
Advantages: Great mileage, zippy, reliable, and fun. Disadvantages: Seats don't fold flat, spare tire on back door reduces rear vision
I bought this car second hand and drove it 6500 miles to California and back to Georgia, USA. It performed better than I expected. Imagine a vehicle that gives you 35-40 mpg, drives easily, builds speed fast, easy to shift, comfortable ride. My SUV seats 4 comfortably, seat belts for each, luggage rack on top, and a joy to drive.
This vehicle has a sporty look to it and 5 speed manual transmission. It is easy to shift gears, has cruise control and ...
consmrpwr10 31.12.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
...this base model 4x4 from Kia over a few days this summer. Overall, it was an OK car to drive but lacked refinement in many areas, leaving me to wonder how well it would stand up to heavy off road use. I also suspect it would struggle against the established vehicles in this sector. The raised driving position is great, giving good all round visiblility. The engine noise was quite loud at speed (in the model I had). However the price is very competitive, ...
mcfarlane 25.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Kia Sportage 2.0
KIA approved KIA Sportage Estate 2.0 XS 5dr manual in Silver.The car has covered 13,500 ... more
miles and has a manufacturer recommended combined MPG of 34.40.Additional Info: Insurance Group 10. Emission Count 194g/Km, What Green Car Rating of 54.
Autoecosse approved KIA Sportage Estate Special EDS 2.0 XR 5dr manual in Phantom Black.The ... more
car has covered 11,430 miles and has a manufacturer recommended combined MPG of 34.40.Additional Info: Insurance Group 10. Emission Count 194g/Km, What Green Car...