Used Kia Sportage 4x4 2005 - 2010 reliability review

It's cheap and cheerful, but not great to drive

What should I look for in a used Kia Sportage?

This version of the Sportage is so new that no problems have emerged, and if you buy one now, you have the luxury of still being covered by part of its new-car warranty.

That at least will give you some peace of mind, because Kias, in general, have a very disappointing record for reliability. The previous Sportage came last in the 2005 JD Power survey, with half of the owners reporting engine problems. Mind you, it's not as if Kia can't get it right - in the same survey, the larger Sorento 4x4 came top of its class, and in the top 10 overall.

Warranty Direct also says that Kia owners claim only as rarely as those in Toyotas and Mazdas.

All we can do is hope Kia continues to make the improvements that have enabled the company to climb the results tables.

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Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,200

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,490

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,595

Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 1 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 1 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,795

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 3 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 3 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,900

Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,995

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,000

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 2 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,250

Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 1 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Kia Sportage

1.6 GDi EcoDynamics 1 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,295

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Stuart Milne, digital editor

Name: Stuart Milne

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