Used Kia Sportage review: 2005-2007

Most of the time it was the front wheels doing all the driving, it was only when wheel slip was detected at the front that drive was directed to the rear, up to a maximum of 50 per cent.  At its peaks the double overhead camshaft V6 engine was putting out 129 kW at 6000 revs and 241 Nm at 4000 revs.

The suspension was independent at both ends, the brakes were disc all round and supported by ABS, and the steering was power-assisted rack- and-pinion.

The Sportage had a host of standard features, including air, remote central locking, immobiliser, power mirrors and windows, six-speaker CD sound system, fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels.

In the shop

As the quality of Korean cars has improved so too has their reliability, and carsGuide receives little in the way of complaint about Korean cars in general, and the Kia Sportage in particular.  Owners appear content with their cars and little of a serious nature goes wrong with them.

When checking a car for purchase make the usual checks for crash repairs, make sure it's been regularly serviced, and inspect the underbody for signs of extensive offroad use.  Sportage owners are unlikely to have driven their cars offroad, but it's worth taking the time to check underneath.

On the road

The KM Sportage, while not sporty, was a decent driving car with secure handling and a comfortable ride on most surfaces.  While the V6 engine was a good performer, the overall performance was dulled a little by the wide spread of ratios of auto 'box.

In a crash

The Sportage suffered from the same dull dynamics most, if not all, SUVs suffered from. The handling was secure without being sporting, but that came with the SUV territory.

Standard ABS and traction control, and all-wheel drive helped on the active safety front, while dual front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners gave decent crash protection.

At the pump

Kia's lab rats claimed an average fuel consumption of 10 L/100 km for the KM Sportage, 13.0 L/100 km when driven in town, and 8.2 L/100 km when outside the city limits.  Road testers of the time of the Sportage's launch reported an average of 11.5 L/100 km in real world driving conditions.

Look for

Pleasant SUV styling . Lots of standard gear . Decent performance . Secure handling . Comfortable ride . Improved build quality . Robust and reliable . Value-for-money

The bottom line

Well-built, reliable, comfortable wagon should be on family shopping lists.

Rating

75/100