2010 Kia Sportage

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability

Interior - What the Auto Press Says

More than anything else, the Kia Sportage's interior is praised for its surprising blend of comfortable seating, upscale features and stylish design. 

• "The Sportage features a functional, roomy and attractive interior. Both the materials and build quality are very good, especially for this price point." -- Edmunds
• "The fully equipped cabin looks and feels high-quality with attractive design and materials and loads of desirable features." -- Arizona Republic

Seating

The Sportage's seats are spacious and comfortable, even in the rear. The seats come standard with cloth trim, though an $800 Leather Package is available on the top-of-the-line EX model.

• "We felt the seats were comfortable for long trips. They were cloth covered and had a nice feel." -- Auto Channel
• "Legroom is adequate [in the front], and headroom is generous. Both the leather and the cloth seats are comfortable, with good side-bolster support." -- Consumer Guide
• "It is easy to slide in and out of the quiet interior, which has a spacious rear-seat area. Four tall adults sit high and fit comfortably. While there's room for a fifth rear adult occupant, the hard center of the back seat will discourage anyone from sitting on it for more than short trips." -- MSN
• "Front passengers have ample legroom, but larger passengers may feel cramped in the second row."

Interior Features

Reviewers praise the Sportage's cabin for its easy-to-use controls and high-quality look. Though some reviewers say quality doesn't compare with competitors', that's to be expected for an SUV with one of the lowest base prices in its class. A $1,200 navigation system is optional on only the EX V6 model. Unfortunately, the Sportage doesn't offer a DVD entertainment system -- a con for families with young children. If you want this feature, consider the Mazda CX-7.

For higher quality, you can always add the Luxury Package available on the EX V6 model. It comes with leather upholstery, heated front seat and chrome inside door handles, among other features. However, note that you'll be increasing the Sportage's price by $1,300.

• "Ergonomics are excellent, thanks to a straightforward dash layout with easy-to-use controls." -- Car and Driver
• "I needed to focus on where I was going and I was able to do that easily because the instrument panel controls are set up to be seen and understood easily. The knobs and dials are on a par with Toyota quality, the industry's benchmark." -- Detroit News

Cargo

The Sportage's cargo space receives praise, especially since the rear seat is so easy to fold down. Cargo volume measures 23.6 cubic feet with the back seat up and 66.6 cubic feet with the seat down -- not as much as the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, but still quite decent for the class. Small storage spaces include rear cargo under-floor storage, dual front cupholders and a rear center armrest with dual cupholders.

• "The seats are remarkably easy to fold totally flat. The folded down back on the front passenger seat is at a slightly different level but it still affords uninterrupted space for something big and long from dashboard to rounded hatchback. A kayak perhaps, but certainly any household stepladder." -- Road & Travel Magazine
• "Groceries fit fine behind the rear seats, but there's little room for large objects. The rear seats fold easily in one motion to form a flat load floor. The separate-opening tailgate window adds convenience. The cabin has eight cupholders, including one in each door, and adequate small-item storage." -- Consumer Guide
• "Loading gear into the cargo area can be done via the liftgate or the back window, which opens separately. The dual opening is a nice feature, as is the optional under-the-floor storage tray that's handy for concealing valuables." -- Car and Driver
• "The rear-seat design makes hauling a large amount of cargo a breeze -- the seat folds and lowers into the footwell, making for a flat load floor, and removing the head restraints isn't required." -- Edmunds