Used Kia Sportage 4x4 1995 - 2003 review

What's the used Kia Sportage like?

The Kia Sportage was aimed squarely at the leisure market, and particularly at so-called 'soft-roaders' such as the Honda HR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it never really hit the mark as it wasn't spacious enough to be a genuine family car and certainly wasn't as exciting to drive as a RAV4.

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Overview

Not a bad car but the same money will buy a much better one

Pros

• It's cheap, well equipped
• and flexible

Cons

• It's cramped, short of safety kit
• and poor to drive

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That said, there's nothing massively wrong with it; it's just that too many other cars are better. It has a firm, but controlled ride, for example, which doesn't quite match the RAV4's, but which is well ahead of dedicated off-roaders. Likewise, the 2.0-litre petrol engine gives it a decent turn of speed, but refinement could be better.

With no height adjustment on the driver's seat, the driving position is only fair, and practicality is not great: there's room for only two in the back, and legroom is tight, but at least the boot is a decent size.

Our recommendations

Which used Kia Sportage should I buy?

There's no choice when it comes to engines: a single 2.0-litre petrol unit powered the Sportage through its entire life. To start with, a manual gearbox was the only option, and it was only after the face-lift in July 2000 that an automatic 'box became available. However, it struggles to decide which gear to be in, so you're better off with the manual.

You're also better off with one of these post-face-lift models, as not only are they sharper looking, they also come with more equipment. At any age, it's best to go for the trim that's one rung up from the most basic. On early cars, that means GLX, but from July 2000 onwards it's SX. The basic cars (SLX and, later, S) are just too basic, while the plusher trims (Executive and GSX) are still too dear.