Sportage: value, in the best sense of the word

  • By Mary Lowry Automotive Reviewer
  • Friday, October 19, 2007 9:47am

Have you noticed that whenever Larry Lark reviews a vehicle with an MSRP in the teens, all he talks about is its value?

In the Lark lexicon, “value” is code for “a piece of crap, but at least it doesn’t cost much.”

In Lowry language, “value” means “you get a lot for your money.”

It’s a good thing I, and not Larry, got the Kia Sportage to test-drive.

If you don’t consider air conditioning a necessity, you can buy a new 2007 Kia Sportage LX for $16,525 including destination charge. It’ll have a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. You can add AC for $800.

Or, for $19,520 you can get the same vehicle with AC included and a four-speed automatic transmission.

And so it goes, on up through the model lineup to the Sportage EX 4×4 with a 173-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 engine, all-wheel drive, LCD trip computer, and sunroof — base price, $23,520.

Even the least expensive model has gobs of standard equipment, including power rack-and-pinion steering, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, 16-inch alloy wheels, two-speed variable intermittent windshield wipers, six-speaker audio system with CD player, tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locks, eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split-flat-folding rear seats with easy “drop and fold” feature, tire pressure monitoring system, front-seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags.

My tester, the LX 4×4, comes with the V6 engine and automatic transmission. Its base price: $21,790. A cassette/CD/MP3 audio system, keyless entry, fog lamps, cargo cover and some sporty cosmetics were added by a $900 optional Sport Package.

The Kia Sportage is a five-passenger compact SUV. Though it originally had body-on-frame construction, since 2005 it has had a car-based platform, with four-wheel independent suspension. Sportage has a smooth, civilized ride and commendable handling.

Even with slight pedal pressure, the V6 provides more-than-ample acceleration, and the automatic transmission is seamless. The EPA rating for the V6 4×4 is 19 mpg city, 23 highway. The four-cylinder engine with 4WD, available only with a manual transmission, has a 22/26 EPA rating; with 2WD its numbers are 23/28.

Sportage’s exterior design is understated but attractive. Its relatively long wheelbase and short overhangs boost its sportiness factor and also contribute positively to its handling characteristics.

But inside the vehicle, where 99 percent of an owner’s time with it will be spent, is where the Sportage really shines. The flat-woven cloth upholstery with trim inserts has a very high-quality look and feel, and is static-free. Driver-seat comfort is equally upscale, with lumbar support and just the right amount of side bolstering.

Leg room is generous, outdone only by the enormous amount of head room. Visibility is excellent. All controls are simple to use, easy to see and a cinch to operate.

The center stack has two storage bins and two cupholders designed to hold small as well as large containers. A big double-decker covered bin between the front seats provides more storage and also works as an armrest. Long, wide map pockets in the doors include an integrated water-bottle holder.

With quality construction, a high comfort level, great handling characteristics, good gas mileage, many standard features and modest pricing, the Kia Sportage is a tremendous value.

And this isn’t Larry talking.

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