Air-conditioning really rocks! Comfortable drive. The cost of options (leather seats, auto transmission, etc.) are not too costly.

Poor paint, poor CD placement, poor cup holder placement. Cannot operate the CD player and radio without removing whatever is in the cup holder. While I have not had this problem, I understand that the air bags do not deploy when they should on the 1997 model.

The Kia Sportage does well for a small SUV. It seems to have systematic problems with rear bumper slightly hanging, paint peeling from front bumper and driver's side-view mirror, and the terrible placement of the CD player and cup holder. Also problem with "Check Engine" light coming on intermittently.

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Better gas milage than larger SUV's. Great A/C and heater. Seems to have higher head room than some of the ones I have looked at lately. That's a big plus as my husband is very tall.

Small paint chips on front bumper. Cup holder not in the greatest place as hot coffee gets cold from the A/C. Break dust leaves the crome on the wheels looking dirty and has to be cleaned often.

I have owned my Kia Sportage for 5 years now and have just over 50,000 miles. Honestly I have not had anything go wrong except normal wear, things like tires, muffler replaced once, and my usual oil and filter changed. I have always had a tune up every winter. Has been a great little car for me so far. Been looking for a new SUV but there aren't many out there in the same price range in that size. Been maintained well by the dealer and so far been pretty lucky.

Its fully loaded

Check engine light constantly comes on. The spare wheel in back is a pain to open just to get in the back of suv.If you have drinks in cup holder then you can't see whats on under it. No leg room in back seat. My mechanic won't even touch this auto.

It looked like the perfect suv for the money. Low mileage, power everything, cruise control etc. We bought it for our daughter and have had nothing but trouble from day one.I'm very sorry I bought this suv and I will never buy another Kia or any foreign auto again!

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Fun to drive, Pep, air conditioning.

Cup holder location (hot coffee will cool down quick with the AC on).

My wife and I have each owned a 2 door Sportage for almost 2 years and over 20,000 miles. They are fun to drive. I have owned Fords and Chryslers over the years but the Kia's are more reliable. The only problem that we have had is the cooling fan on both vehicles cracked (but didn't break) and were replaced under warranty by the dealer. If you take care of anything properly, it will last a long time.

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Gas Mileage (30 mpg on the highway). Off road performance. Great for carrying kayaks & bicycles. Fits anywhere! Comfortable on long trips

Danged Cup holder! (However it does hold cups very solidly)

I have been very pleased with this vehicle. I purchased it in October of 2003 and have put almost 15000 miles on it. To date, I have had absolutely NO issues with it. I am into hiking, kayaking, and bicycling and this little car gets me and my gear where ever we need to go. I have read in many posts that the engine is sluggish & under powered ... I don't feel that is the case. If you keep your shifting and passing RPM to at least at 3000, I find there is plenty of pep in this litle power plant. I think that the drivetrain ... from the manual transmission, all the way down to the differentials is kind of noisy and seems to have a good bit of backlash but it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Remember ... this is a small $13,000 SUV ... it isn't a Hummer! Creature comforts are quite good for a car of this size. The back seats are comfortable and I've taken several reasonably trips greater then 300 miles. I've arrived at my destination rested and enjoyed the drive. Finally ... I think this car has personality! Everyone who has ridden in it likes it. Perhaps the older Kia Sportages had more Quality Control issues but I am as happy as a lark with this zippy little vehicle.

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Welds in body keep rubbing through wires and messing up electrical system; air sensor always has trouble; window motors wear out fast; paint chips easily; body dings easily; Kia has terrible customer service (not dealerships, main company); welds on heat guard for muffler let loose so it rattles against muffler (not covered on warranty); too many others to list.

I would honestly tell anyone looking into this vehicle to run away. The one I have has been nothing but trouble. We've covered everything from the 4-wheel drive, to the electrical system. Thank God for warranties!

Great Traction, especially in snow. Handles great. Good gas mileage. Interior is very comfortable.

Somewhat under powered, as far as fast starts. Poor cupholder placement(I can live with it though). Not too many after market accessories.

I purchased my Sportage new in '98. It had an internal computer problem which messed up the electrical system. It was under warranty and was replaced. NO problem. Since, I have put 91,000 miles on it and wouldn't be afraid to take off cross country in it. I took it to Boston on vacation and had no problems whatsoever. It is a little under powered, especially with the A/C on, but I bought it knowing the engine size. It has great traction, especially in the snow. I drive 40 miles one way to work, on county roads no less, and it has not failed to get me there yet(except for an ice storm, and NO one was going anywhere). I don't know if I would ever buy another one, if they still made them, but I am not sorry I bought this one. You get what you pay for. If I wanted something with faster pick up, I would have gotten something with a 6 or 8 cyl.

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great gas mileage. cold air. good power.

nobody makes any cool extras for it.

My Sportage is great, outdoorsmans dream. I pull my boat with no problem. Gone off-road many times, handles great. I take it hunting. It gets me where i want to be (family too) I'm a tinkerer so i have put off-road lights on, a safari rack, one size larger off-road tires, i carry the equipment to get me out any trouble i might drive into and have never needed them, maybe i'm a good driver. Ha I know what you mean about the engine light but what i have figured in my case is it comes on for almost anything gas cap, the thermostat was sticking open causing temp. problems, a valve for the emissions wasn't working properly.Which tells me it's all about preventive maint. if the problem persists it cost BUCKS to repair. I have taken the SUV back to dealer, They fix, no drips, no runs, no errors.And no cost. They have also replaced the master Cilynder. In all cases back the same day. Now i keep a close eye on my SUV and as far as the power is concerned theres plenty and its there when i need it and an exceptional passing gear. But i'm a cruiser, no need to hurry. About the only problem i have had is they (who ever they are) don't make many extras for SUV's, no lift kits, no body lift, i wanted to change trans. oil & filter but you can only get the filter through kia and their servicemen.

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Jeep Laredo, but too plush for my use, i'm an outdoorsman.

The look is nice although I hate the color (Gold with brown interior)...This was the only Sportage that they had...knowing this and what I know now..I would have never bought it.

It sucks..I wish that I could find the people that invented this crap...I would fly all the way across the ocean and get my money back personally.

I hate my Sportage... The engine stalls which causes my whole vehicle to shake really really badly (the whole time the check engine is blinking after its been lit forever). I believe that the back window molding is loose...I have no power to my vehicle what so ever. When I put my foot on the gas, it's slow to get to 40 to 0. When I put the air on, the vehicle really starts to shake like it's about to cut off. I have a toddler and this summer is going to be very hot so I would think that the air is important. I also found out the Kia doesnt' make Sportages anymore. Thank God because I wouldn't want any one to be in the predicament that I'm in. MY KIA SPORTAGE SUCKS.... Incidently, my son's name is Kai...go figure....lol

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EVERYTHING

THis car is JUNK! Wind noise, took it in for warranty work and was made to pay for it. The warranty is a farce. THey will tell you they can find nothing wrong, but as soon as the warranty is over, they detect what you have been saying all along. DO NOT BUY A KIA THEY ARE CHEAP JUNK!

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