The Kia Sportage, pronounced Spor'tij in the United States and Spor'tahj in French-speaking countries (including Canada) is Kia's compact SUV. Originally, it was a mini SUV, but the second generation Sportage is a compact crossover SUV.

First generation (1995-2002)

The first generation Sportage was a mini SUV or "toy" sport utility vehicle (SUV), based on the Mazda Bongo platform.

Sportage was sold in either a four-door, two-door hardtop, and a two-door soft-top. The first-generation Sportage was discontinued in 2002, in favor (for the United States market) of the Sorento. The four-door model comes in just a quarter of one inch longer and the same width as the Geo Tracker, but boasts 145 hp (108 kW) and optional four wheel drive.

After the 1997 Hyundai takeover of Kia, the vehicle was produced with major defects including an axle that broke loose at high speeds, rattling exhaust heat shields, weak and often defective alternators and various other annoyances.

Second generation (2005–present)

After a 2-year hiatus, the 2005 Sportage shares its Elantra-based platform with the 2005 Hyundai Tucson. The Sportage will also have a 2.0 L Diesel engine available in the United States. Pricing is expected to start at just over ^*]17,000. Critics and fans of the original, pre-Hyundai Sportage complain that it is considerably larger than the original Sportage and has none of the earlier offroad capability, the two keys for its success.

See also

• AutoGuideWiki.com

Kia vehicles | Crossover SUVs | Kia_Sportage