The Evolution of the Kia Sportage

Kia has been making the Sportage since 1995 and they just keep getting better at it. Now the pessimists among us would say that considering that the first Sportage model was pretty much a poor excuse for an SUV that Kia had nowhere else to go but up. The optimists, however, would seize on the good news, that the Kia Sportage now stands on its own as a very reliable, nicely-made SUV with some serious character. Regardless of your philosophical standpoint, this is a success story worth telling.

The original Sportage was one of the first crossover SUVs to hit the market but once competition from Honda, Subaru, and Toyota entered the market the Sportage easily slipped to the bottom of the class. It was just too small and its 2.0-liter 94 horsepower four-cylinder engine impressed absolutely nobody.

Gradually things got better; the second-generation Sportage was introduced in 2005 and was markedly improved. The horses were increased to 140 and the interior was much roomier. Reviews painted this generation as adequate but still short of the competition.

Enter the third-generation which began in 2010 and the difference is like night and day when compared to the old models. From bottom of the pack to middle of the pack to leaders of the pack in fifteen years, that’s a pretty impressive resume. The exterior was upgraded to resemble European styling, the interior was quite pleasing, the engine now capable of 176 horsepower and the technology added has made this model a very nice choice for any family looking for comfort and reliability. There is more than adequate room for four adults in the new Sportage and the handling and suspension have been improved so that this model actually feels sporty when driven, like there is communication between driver and vehicle.

Used parts are readily available for all models and years of the Sportage, and if you are looking for a great value in a used SUV then the earlier generations offer that value. If, however, you are looking for a top of the line SUV, stay clear of the older version and opt for the new Sportage because this really is the best imported SUV on the market. Unlike the expensive replacement parts for European vehicles, the Asian products can still be had for a reasonable price. And like Toyota, Honda, and others, Kia has now made a name for itself based on reliability and fine craftsmanship.

Everyone loves a success story and none is better than the story of the Kia Sportage. From last place to first place in fifteen years; not a bad testimony for Kia Motors.