What Is It?
2005 Kia Sportage
What's Special About It?
After disappearing from the American market for a few years, the Kia Sportage small SUV is back with a new look and new engine options. The base drivetrain is now a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission. An optional four-speed automatic is available on two-wheel-drive models only. To better compete with its larger competitors, the Sportage also offers a heartier 2.7-liter V6 with 175 horsepower and a four-speed automatic.
Safety features consist of six airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes. Anti-lock brakes will be optional on some models, and may be standard equipment on the V6 four-wheel drive.
Inside, the Sportage provides versatile seating and cargo-carrying opportunities with fold-flat front seats and split-folding rear seats. The rear hatch swings upward and the tailgate glass flips up independently as well, offering easy access to the cargo bay.
What's Edmunds Take?
Kia hopes that the redesigned Sportage will give Japanese competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V a run for their money. If assigned a low price tag and Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, the Sportage will be better poised than ever to earn a respectable share of the small SUV market. Production for North America begins in October 2004. — Kelly Toepke
2005 Kia Sportage
What's Special About It?
After disappearing from the American market for a few years, the Kia Sportage small SUV is back with a new look and new engine options. The base drivetrain is now a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission. An optional four-speed automatic is available on two-wheel-drive models only. To better compete with its larger competitors, the Sportage also offers a heartier 2.7-liter V6 with 175 horsepower and a four-speed automatic.
Safety features consist of six airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes. Anti-lock brakes will be optional on some models, and may be standard equipment on the V6 four-wheel drive.
Inside, the Sportage provides versatile seating and cargo-carrying opportunities with fold-flat front seats and split-folding rear seats. The rear hatch swings upward and the tailgate glass flips up independently as well, offering easy access to the cargo bay.
What's Edmunds Take?
Kia hopes that the redesigned Sportage will give Japanese competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V a run for their money. If assigned a low price tag and Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, the Sportage will be better poised than ever to earn a respectable share of the small SUV market. Production for North America begins in October 2004. — Kelly Toepke
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