The 2008 Kia Sportage has been showing up on every car reviewers list of best vehicles. Edmunds.com named it one of the “Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient SUVs and Pickups.” Kelley Blue Book called Sportage one of the “Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000.” The Car Book named it a “Best Bet.” Cars.com singled out Sportage as having the “Best Bang for the Buck.”
The high praise for the 2008 Kia Sportage is earned by being one of the best values in its compact utility vehicle class. The Kia Sportage is roomier, more comfortable and more fuel-efficient than its competitors, yet offers the upscale features and solid performance for which its rivals ask you to pay extra. Starting at $16,725 (MSRP), the Kia Sportage is one of the most affordable utility vehicles you can buy. It’s also a strong candidate for family car duties since it is so frugal with fuel.
"Overall, the Sportage gets good marks for a clean and functional exterior look that will not offend anyone and yet has a beguiling look that belies its low cost. It offers a comprehensive set of safety features, excellent versatility and tremendous value, costing thousands less than other small SUVs," states Newcartestdrive.com.
Reviewers describe the Kia Sportage's interior as stylish, comfortable and roomy. The base model offers cloth seats while the top-of-the-line EX model offers optional leather seats. According to reviews, the Sportage succeeds in providing a great level of comfort for driver and passengers. TheAutoChannel.com remarked, "We felt the seats were comfortable for long trips. They were cloth covered and had a nice feel." Road & Track magazine also liked the seats, saying they "are remarkably easy to fold totally flat."
Even with its affordable pricing, the Kia Sportage manages to impress reviewers with interior features and quality comparable to that available in the class-leading competitors. ConsumerGuide.com notes that the materials quality of the Sportage bests that of the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The Detroit News found, "The knobs and dials are on par with Toyota quality, the industry's benchmark."
Notable features on the Sportage include a sunroof (which is standard on the EX) and an AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers (standard on the LX models). All models also include power windows, mirrors and door locks. Air conditioning is optional for some trims. The EX also includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an AM/FM/CD/Cassette/MP3 audio system and keyless entry and alarm.
Reviewers are downright amazed at the cargo-carrying capacity of the Sportage. According to Kia, the cargo volume is 23.6 cubic feet (with the backseat up) and 66.6 cubic feet with the seat down. Says AutoMallUSA.com, "If it is cargo you want to carry, the Sportage delivers the goods." Car and Driver pointed out "the optional under-the-floor storage tray that's handy for concealing valuables."
The Kia Sportage line consists of seven models, featuring either the base 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine or the 2.7-liter V6. Four-wheel drive is available with both engines. The base model offers the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 140 hp and 136 lb/ft of torque with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission available, depending on trim. Also available is a 2.7-liter V6 engine with 173 hp and 178 lb/ft of torque with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.
According to the EPA, gas mileage estimates for the Kia Sportage vary from 17 to 20 mpg in the city and 23 to 25 mpg on highways, depending on front- or all-wheel drive, engine and transmission.
The Sportage has an independent front and rear suspension setup, as well as rack-and-pinion, power-assisted steering, as do other SUVs. What makes Sportage different is the tuning. Good handling is a Sportage highlight. For example, Car and Driver noted Sportage’s "responsive ride and handling," and Edmunds.com called it "sporty." Kelley Blue Book feels that "Kia's product team has hit the sweet spot in achieving a ride/handling balance completely appropriate to the target consumer."
In NHTSA government frontal and side crash tests, the 2008 Sportage earned five out of five stars. The two-wheel drive model has a three-star rollover rating while the four-wheel drive model earned four out of five stars. To help drivers avoid accidents, Sportage comes equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel antilock brakes, Electronic Stability Control, a traction control system and an optional tire pressure monitoring system that comes standard on the EX trim. Other standard safety features include a wide array of airbags including dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).
One other factor in your evaluation of the Sportage is Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program. The Kia 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program consists of various components including a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty, a five-year or 100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan, each of which provides coverage until either the yearly or total mileage figure is reached, whichever occurs first.
Well-designed and well appointed, it's easy to see why the 2008 Kia Sportage is miles ahead of its competition. See for yourself why the Sportage keeps getting rave reviews. Call us for a test drive soon.
