New Car Review of the 2005 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

Base MSRP Range: $15,900-$21,700

Base Invoice Range: $15,150-$20,255

MSRP As Tested: Not Available

Versions: I-4 2WD, I-4 4WD, V-6 2WD,V-6 4WD

Vehicle Category: Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Four-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive .

Standard Engine: 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4, 140 - horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft torque at 4,500 rpm.

Optional Engine as Tested: 2.7-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 173 - horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic, Five-speed manual.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): I-4 22/27, V-6 19/25.

Standard Safety Features: Driver and passenger airbags, Front side airbags, Curtain side airbags, ">, Four-wheel anti-lock brake system, Antiskid system.

Competition: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester.

When you test drive a new car every week, sometimes you set yourself up for heartbreak -- like when you trade the keys to a Porsche for the keys to a cheap economy car.

That hurts.

I expected one of those major letdowns when I switched from driving an Acura MDX to testing a Kia Sportage recently. The Acura was a solid, well-engineered luxury SUV with a smooth ride and coffin-like silence at highway speeds.

In comparison, I expected the Kia to be a piece of ... well, let's just say "little Kia SUV" doesn't get too many people excited about commuting two hours every day.

Once I actually drove the Sportage, though, I was totally amazed by it. Not only did it feel nearly as solid and well-built as the expensive Acura, I'd swear it was just as quiet on the highway -- or at least close enough that my poor ears couldn't tell the difference.

It's so different from the previous Sportage that it probably shouldn't even share the same name.

While the old Sportage rode on a ladder frame like a truck -- a kind of frame that allows the body to flex and twist and make all kinds of awful noise -- the new Sportage is based on a unibody car platform that feels like it was carved from a block of basalt.

It's so remarkably solid, so resistant to road vibration, that it could have passed for a hyper-expensive European luxury car 10 years ago. It's a wonderful platform that makes the Sportage feel like a more expensive SUV, and it makes other small SUVs seem like they're made of Jello.

The new body, of course, has a new look on the outside, too. I think it looks fantastic, much like a smaller version of luxury SUVs like the Lexus RX models and the aforementioned Acura, with a clean, simple, elegant shape that's devoid of ugly styling gimmicks.

There's no cheesy plastic trim, no funky angles that cater to the MTV crowd, and no pointless spoiler attached to the back. It doesn't need those things to look nice.

The Sportage also looks upscale on the inside, where improved materials are a step up from the tacky hard plastic on the old model. There are still a few bits and pieces that obviously look cheap, just like on all low-priced SUVs, but the overall quality is actually nicer than you'd expect.

I can't vouch for the quality of Kia's four-cylinder engine because my test model came with the V6, but I'm betting the little 2.0-liter engine would feel slightly sluggish under the SUVs weight.

The base engine makes 140 horsepower and is available starting at $15,900 with a manual transmission and no air conditioning. Add A/C and an automatic tranny, and the cost rises to $17,500. The V6 with A/C and automatic transmission is $18,500.

If you can afford $20,000-$25,000, you can actually make the Sportage a very nice near-luxury SUV. Features like an MP3 stereo, power sunroof, leather seats, heated mirrors and keyless entry make it nearly as comfortable and luxurious as SUVs that cost twice as much, assuming you can live with the Sportage's smaller size and low-end badge.

In fact, this SUV's biggest drawback may be the name on the hood. Kia's quality has improved dramatically in recent years, but the company still suffers from its earlier reputation for making cheap cars that don't last very long.

The Sportage feels like it's well-engineered and well-built -- just as well as some much more expensive vehicles -- making the brand name irrelevant except for cachet, or its lack thereof. To show its confidence, Kia offers an excellent warranty that covers the vehicle for five years (60,000 miles) and the powertrain for 10 years (100,000 miles).

If all their vehicles are headed in this direction, nobody should expect to be disappointed when they drive off in a Kia.

Pros: This SUV feels solid as a bank vault and quiet as a mute, anorexic mouse. It's not too small and comes with a new, car-like unibody platform that makes it worlds better than the older Sportage. Considering how well-engineered it appears, it's one of the best values for small SUVs today, and it comes with a long warranty period for people concerned about the company's quality.

Cons: Just hearing the Kia name is enough to scare some buyers off because of the company's well-earned reputation for building bad cars a long time ago. The company is much, much better today, but it'll take many years of building great cars for Kia to remove the tarnish that built up so long ago.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 7
• Performance: 7
• Price: 10
• Handling: 7
• Ride: 8
• Comfort: 8
• Quality: 7
• Overall: 8

More Data

Where Built: South Korea

Major Options: Leather upholstery, Heated front seats, Step rails, Roof rack, Trailer hitch.

Seating: 5.

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: 171.3

Warranties: 5 years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper, 10 years/100,000 miles extended powertrain warranty, 5 years/100,000 miles corrosion protection, 5 years/unlimited miles roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 3,230 lbs - 3,411 lbs.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: I-4 4,674 lbs, V-6 4,850 lbs.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: I-4 1,000 - 1,500 lbs, V-6 1,000 - 2,000 lbs.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: I-4 15.3, V-6 17.2

Destination Charge: $590

Car Review of the 2005 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

Base MSRP Range: $15,900 - $21,400

Base Invoice Range: $15,150 - $19,960

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MSRP As Tested: Not Available

Versions: LX< EX

Vehicle Category: Compact SUV

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Four-Wheel Drive .

Standard Engine: 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, ">I-4, 140 -horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft torque at 4,500 rpm.

Optional Engine as Tested: 2.7-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 32-valves, ">V-6, 173 -horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic, Five-speed manual.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): I-4 4x2 22/27, I-4 4x4 21/26, V-6 4x2 19/25, V6 4x4 19/23.

Standard Safety Features: Driver and passenger airbags, Side Curtain Airbags ">, Seat mounted side airbags, Dynamic Stability Control , Antilock Brake System, electronic brake force distribution, Tire pressure monitor, Electronic Brake Force Distribution.

Competition: Toyota RAV4, BMW X3,Hyundai Tucson, Honda Element, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute.

Review

Kia Motors America has come a long way, both as a company, and a brand, since they first came to the U.S. to sell cars in 1994. They deserve a lot of credit for what they have accomplished in this country. 32 foreign companies have tried to establish themselves in the US including Peugeot, Renault and Fiat. Only 15 remain, and Kia is one of them. Korean automakers have been particularly successful here. They take measured steps, growing their businesses carefully with steady improvements in quality, customer satisfaction, and features, all while keeping prices low.

Kia sold 12,000 vehicles their first year in the United States. In 2004 they sold 270,000 vehicles, and recent annual increases have been in the 15% range. Back in 1994 Kia’s average transaction price for a vehicle was $12,000. Today it is $20,000. And the quality improvement has been tremendous. Just look at the data; in 2001 Kia received 267 complaints per 1000. Now it is 153.

Sportage was the second vehicle Kia launched in the United States, and it was their first SUV. In fact Sportage was the product that started the compact, on-road SUV market segment (versus off-road products like Wrangler.) The segment is one of the fastest growing in the industry filled with competitve products like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Ford Escape, to name a few.

Sportage went out of production in 2003. Its reputation tarnished from years of reliability problems. However longevity turned out to have the last laugh, as there are still several hundred thousand of them on the road today.

The 2005 Kia Sportage returns to the market after a two-year hiatus as a completely new vehicle. Only the name remains. It comes in two trim levels, the LX and EX, and with two engine options. Sportage comes standard with an inline, 4-cylinder engine available in the LX and EX. A V6 engine is an option in the EX. The V6 is the version to own. Don’t bother with the I-4 engine. It’s archaic.

The old Sportage was basic transportation: inexpensive and featureless. The all-new 2005 Sportage is as refined a piece of equipment as you will find in the segment. The design is hip. The build is tight. It's fun to drive. It’s comfortable for long drives. It is remarkably capable. And, it is still a great deal for the price.

Exterior

The design reflects Kia's maturation as a brand. The truck has simple, clean lines with nothing overstated. Kia says the exterior is robust, but not aggressive. To us, it looks like a scaled-down BMW X5, making it among the best looking small SUVs on the market. We like it better than the designs of the Ford Escape, or its sibling, the Mazda Tribute. In fact we like Sportage’s design better than anything from a Japanese company, or even from Kia's parent company Hyundai.

There are a lot of exterior features that combine to make the wagon’s look cohesive. The large front bumper is black. The grille has chrome bars in it giving it an upscale, finished look. Flaired wheel wells add ruggedness. The large side-view mirrors are body colored. And integrated roof rails affix bike racks and luggage carriers. The only problem with the design is the window between the C and D pillars: It is small and a bit out of proportion. But that’s insignificant as the overall design is great.

The back of the Sportage has a bit of Volvo’s XC90 in it. The taillight and D pillar have a similar line and look. The tailgate is split. This is a very convenient feature allowing access to the cargo area by opening just the glass.

Interior

The inside of the 2005 Kia Sportage is modest, but elegant. There are similarities to the Hyundai Tucson, but Kia’s execution is better. This is consistent as Kia always manages to get more out of the vehicle platforms they share with Hyundai.

Under the cowl, in the middle of the instrument cluster, is the speedometer. The tachometer is to the left, and the fuel gauge to the right. The center stack has a chrome finish. The stereo system controls are below the vents, followed by knobs for the climate control system. There is a large "panic bar" (handle) in the middle of the passenger-side dash. It helps with getting in and out of the Sportage, and it’s also there to hang onto during spirited driving.

We spent all of our time in the 5-passenger, EXV6 version with the Luxury Package; a $1,300 option that includes leather seating surfaces, heated seats, an upgraded stereo, and body colored bumpers, among others. It also had the optional sunroof; which is a "must have" accessory.

The seats are remarkably well made and were perfectly comfortable for all the driving we did: which included everything from city streets to mountain roads, and several 5-hour-long driving stints. And it’s on long drives that we became aware of all the cupholders in the Sportage. There are 8 of them!

The fit and finish in the Sportage is very good for an economy vehicle. Much more expensive vehicles have poorer quality interiors. Even Sportage's sister, the Hyundai Tuscon, is not as well constructed.

Sportage has a longer wheelbase than CRV, RAV4 or Escape, giving it more passenger volume than these competitors with 103.9 cubic feet. There is 66.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the split rear seat folded flat. Below the rear cargo area is an under-floor oddments tray; you can stash all kinds of things there that you want to keep out of sight, like cell phones and cameras.

Performance

There are two engine options for the 2005 Kia Sportage. A 2.0-liter, dual-overhead cam, inline, 4-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing is standard, along with a 5-speed manual transmission. The base engine puts out 140 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque, and it’s underpowered. We heard that a new, more powerful, 4-cylinder is in the works. But for now, get the V6.

We spent all of our time in a Sportage with the optional 2.7-liter, dual-overhead cam, 4-valve per cylinder, V6 engine. The V6 delivers 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpms and 178 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. This is the engine to purchase as it has acceptable power. But another 25 horsepower (or more) would be truly outstanding. We drove from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, and back to Los Angeles. The V6 struggled a bit climbing the hills up to the lake. Using the Sportmatic transmission to drop down a gear, and locking it in, made the climb much easier and also more fun.

The 5-speed manual is the standard transmission in the Sportage 4-cylinder version. The 4-speed Sportmatic automatic transmission is optional on the 4- and standard on the 6-cylinder versions.

Ride and Handling

The 2005 Sportage is available in both two- and four-wheel drive models. It is not an off-road vehicle, though it can handle a well-groomed dirt road just fine. The four-wheel drive version would be great in bad weather.

Gordon Dickie is the master chassis tuner responsible for the 2005 Kia Sportage’s great ride and handling. Dickie moved to Kia from Mazda a couple of years back after retuning much of the Mazda product line. He’s the guys behind the Miata’s stellar tuning and other great-handling sedans and wagons like the Mazda 3.

Sportage’s handling is solid and predictable, making it a very good vehicle for everyday driving. It is small and nimble perfect for dealing with city streets allowing easy lane changes, and parking. Our Lake Tahoe drive gave us the chance to see how Sportage did on snow, ice and slush. We felt in complete control of the car. The ride was very comfortable and felt better than much more expensive competitors.

The previous Sportage was a truck, with a ladder-on-frame construction. The new Sportage has a unibody construction, like a passenger car, allowing for a lower center of gravity, and thus a more sedan-like ride. The previous Sportage was a true off-road vehicle. Kia claims the new one is just as good. They showed us some very convincing video, but we did not have a chance to drive it off-pavement with the exception of a well-groomed dirt road - it did just fine on that. We will get a chance this summer to drive it off-road, so check back with us next fall, for a report.

Safety

Kia made Sportage a value leader in safety features. It has six standard airbags including: front and rear side-impact, and head-curtain. Also standard are four-wheel, disc brakes with an Antilock Braking System, and Electronic Stability and Traction. And these technologies are important to your safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS,) says drivers’ aids like these reduce fatal, single car crash risk by 56%. They also tell us that head-protection airbags reduce the risk of death by 45%, and side-impact bags reduce the risk by 11%. And GM makes such a big deal about their plans to make these drivers' aides standard on all of their SUVs by 2007. Kia has them right now, and they are standard.

In Conclusion

Kia Sportage represents a real value for the consumer. The 4-cylinder Sportage, at the low end, is between $2,099 and $4,095 cheaper than its competitors, while the V-6 version, on the high end, is between $3,825 and $5,155 less. So it’s a very good deal. And several competitors don’t even offer a V6. Sportage looks great, better than most of the much more costly small SUVs. It has great standard features like integrated roof rails and the split, rear door. You'll love driving it in the mountains and on twisty roads, because it’s fun to drive and the handling is stellar. And it’s great around town. Want a bargain, good-looks and great carrying capacity too? Buy the 2005 Kia Sportage V6.

Pros: Sportage is a great value for the money, it is stylish and comfortable and out handles it’s competitors.

Cons: Kia and Hyundai still could use better V-6 engines, Sportage with more power and better mileage.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 9
• Performance: 7
• Price: 9
• Handling: 8
• Ride: 8
• Comfort: 8
• Quality: 8
• Overall: 8

More Data

Where Built: Korea

Major Options: Luxury package, air conditioning, leather seating surfaces.

Seating: 5.

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: 171.3

Warranties: 5 years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper, 10 years/100,000 miles extended powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles corrosion protection, 5 years/unlimited miles Roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 3,225 lb. - 3,521 lb

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: I-4 1,500, V-6 2,000 lb.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 15.3

Destination Charge: $590

New Car Review of the 2005 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: N/A
Invoice Price Range: N/A
Where built: South Korea

Kia's first SUV, absent from the line while undergoing a new generational design, lands in North America in 2005 in a contemporary package that brings SUV functionality but the smooth ride quality of a compact-class sedan.

Sportage in this new treatment promises class-leading space in the five-seat cabin with generous headroom and legroom, plus maximum cargo space. Safety equipment also expands with six air bags as standard issue including curtain-style air bags stretching the length of the cabin..

Sportage will offer FWD and 4WD traction options and two different powertrains. The base plant, a 2.0-liter four-cyldiner, ties to a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. The uplevel 2.7-liter V6 worth 175-hp uses the automatic shifter exclusively..