- 2009
2008 Kia Sportage
- Used Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage - What the Auto Press Says
The Sportage looks, feels and drives like a more upscale SUV, making it a good bargain that ranks in the top half of its class. Along with quality materials, driving dynamics and styling that rival the class-leading SUVs, the Sportage has a base price that is thousands less, making it a great value.
Similar to Hyundai, Kia has surprised auto experts with its quality improvements in recent years. "It's not quite in the same league as the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, and the Ford Escape, but the Sportage has a nicely packaged interior and lots of standard features for the money," says Automobile Magazine. "While the same can be said for nearly every product from Hyundai and Kia, what distinguishes the Sportage is the fact that it is one of the few Korean cars to add competitive driving dynamics to the equation." However, several reviewers still cite lackluster performance as one of the Sportage's low points. Consequently, the Sportage gets a middle-of-the-pack ranking when compared to other affordable crossovers.
Fuel efficiency is also not a highlight for the Sportage. It measures in the middle of the compact SUV pact on fuel economy, an increasingly important consideration for many buyers in 2008.
The new Sportage is virtually unchanged since the 2007 model. The base LX comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with optional four-wheel drive. Higher-end versions come with a 2.7-liter V6 engine.
- "While the Sportage sets no new benchmarks in performance or handling, it's hard to ignore the fit, finish, and amenities it offers -- for $1000 to $2000 less than other entry-level SUVs on the market." -- Motor Trend
- "Sportage is a huge and mainly pleasant surprise from Kia." -- USA Today
- "Overall the Sportage gets good marks for a clean and functional exterior look that will not offend anyone and yet has a beguiling look that belies its low cost. The all-new Kia Sportage is a welcome addition to the segment as it offers a comprehensive set of safety features, excellent versatility, and tremendous value, costing thousands less than other small SUVs." -- New Car Test Drive
Sportage Performance - 6.6 (Mediocre)
Most test drivers find the Kia Sportage's base four-cylinder engine on the sluggish side, leading to a performance ranking in the bottom half of its class. But car-like handling and a more powerful V6 option lead the Detroit News to say, "Despite the Kia Sportage's lackluster horsepower numbers next to the competition, it is a decent performer on the highway and seems to have adequate power for passing and merging." Read More
Sportage Exterior - 7.5 (Good)
The upscale-looking Sportage is generally praised -- leading to an exterior ranking in the top half of its class. Drawing comparison to its sibling, the Hyundai Tucson, Car and Driver says, "The Sportage has a chiseled, toned look, whereas the Tucson has a pudgier appearance." Read More
Sportage Interior - 7.2 (Good)
The Kia Sportage surprises with its roomier, more comfortable seating than many competitors, and upscale features and interior design. Consequently, its interior ranks in the top half of its class. "The fully equipped cabin looks and feels high-quality with attractive design and materials and loads of desirable features," says the Arizona Republic. The Sportage also comes with innovative storage spaces, including an under-the-floor cargo tray. Read More
Sportage Safety - 9.7 (Excellent)
The Sportage earns an excellent safety score for its reasonable performance in government and insurance industry crash tests. The Detroit News says the Sportage's "standard safety features give you the sense that Kia has set itself up as Korea's version of uber-safety-conscious Volvo." Read More
Sportage Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2008 Kia Sportage reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Similar to Hyundai, Kia offers class-leading five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty. Read More
