Sportage comes in three versions: base, LX and the EX that we drove. The base model comes in front-wheel-drive only while the two higher models are available in either front- or all-wheel drive. In the pecking order, the base model rides on 16-inch wheels, the LX gets 17s and the EX has those cool-looking 18s.

The EX also gets spiffed up with extra chrome trim, roof rails and body-colored side mirrors that are heated, not a critical item in the Southwest.

Sportage's interior is roomy and nicely styled, though hard-plastic surfaces thwart the premium feel. (Photo: Kia)

The interior design and trim are good-looking and workable, but the budget-car limitations are revealed in mostly hard-plastic surfaces. The EX comes very well-equipped with a litany of desirable features, including dual-zone climate control, trip computer, leather steering wheel and shift knob, power windows and mirrors, power driver’s seat and a refrigerated glove box for keeping your owner’s manual cool.

The test Sportage came with a $3,000 premium package that included leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, rear sonar, Homelink, keyless entry and push-button start, and a panoramic sunroof. The level of equipment approached that of premium rides.

The base price started at a reasonable $24,795 for the well-equipped EX, with the options and shipping pushing it up to $29,990. The front-drive base model starts at just over $18,000.

The new Sportage is a far cry from the small, simple original model that first put the South Korean company on the map in the U.S. Now part of the Hyundai empire, Kia is enjoying a renaissance of new models and prosperity.

The Sportage compares well with such competitors as Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, and typically for Kia, it undercuts them in price for comparably equipped models.

Details

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door crossover SUV, all-wheel drive.
Engine: 2.4-liter inline four, 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 168 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual shift.
Wheelbase: 103.9 inches.
Overall length: 174.8 inches.
Curb weight: 3,355 pounds.
EPA mileage rating: 21 city and 28 highway.

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, who has driven and evaluated essentially every new vehicle sold in the United States. A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle, he annually attends and writes about Arizona's famous January collector-car auctions, focusing on Scottsdale’s monumental Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event and other Barrett-Jackson auctions. SPEED.com fans email Automotive Editor Bob Golfen at



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