Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage
Overview
Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Production	1993–present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact SUV

The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built by the Korean automaker Kia Motors since July 1993.

First generation (1993–2004)

First generation
1994–1998 Kia Sportage, Germany
Overview
Production	July 1993–2004
Assembly	South Korea: Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Germany: Osnabrück Russia: Avtotor Plant, Kaliningrad
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible 5-door wagon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive Front-engine, four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L FE I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L FE DOHC I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L RF I4 (diesel)
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual

1994–1998 Kia Sportage, Germany

1996–1998 Kia Sportage Grand

The first generation Kia Sportage was developed with a Mazda Bongo engineering base platform. It shares many mechanical components such as the engine, transmissions (early versions), and differentials with the Mazda line of vehicles. This was during Kia's alliance with Ford and Mazda, which involved Ford/Mazda providing technology and Kia providing cheap manufacturing facilities for Ford. From 1995 to 1998, the Sportage was built by Karmann in Germany; thus, European buyers received German-built versions between these years, while the rest of the world received South Korean-built versions.

Sportage was sold in either a five-door wagon or a two-door soft-top convertible. Kia initially developed the wagon in standard length form, but in circa 1996, the company released an extended length version. This stretched model—mainly sold in Asian markets under the name "Sportage Grand"—featured a 305 mm (12.0 in) longer body utilising the same wheelbase, an increase in luggage capacity from 1,570 to 2,220 liters (55.4 to 78.4 cu ft), and the relocation of the spare wheel from the tailgate to underneath the floor.

Kia offered three Mazda-sourced engines in the Sportage, beginning with the 2.0-liter FE DOHC inline-four gasoline unit producing 95 kW (128 hp) and the 2.0-liter RF inline-four diesel rated at 61 kW (82 hp). Diesel-engined models were mostly restricted to European markets, as was the more basic single overhead camshaft (SOHC) version of the 2.0-liter FE gasoline inline-four. Delivering 87 kW (117 hp), this gasoline engine was available from 2000 onwards. In North America, the 2.0-liter FE DOHC engine produced 130 hp (97 kW) and had optional four-wheel drive. The 1998 model year Kia Sportage was the world's first production vehicle to be equipped with a knee airbag.

This first generation model (1993–2002) sold in low numbers even domestically in South Korea, and post-Hyundai takeover models (1997–2002) were recalled twice for rear wheels dismounting while driving. The first generation Sportage was discontinued in South Korea in 2002, and in North America after the 2002 model year. By 2003, most international markets had discontinued the Sportage range, although it did remain on sale in some developing countries until its second generation replacement arrived in 2004. 

Facelifts

c. 1996–1998
1996–1998 Kia Sportage, Korea

c. 1998–2001
MY 1998–01 Kia Sportage, US

c. 1998–2001
MY 2000–01 Kia Sportage EX, US

c. 2001–2004
MY 2002 Kia Sportage convertible, US

Second generation (2004–2010)

Second generation
Overview
Production	2004–2010
Assembly	Gwangju Plant, Gwangju, South Korea Žilina Plant, Žilina, Slovakia Yangcheng Plant, Jiangsu, China Kaliningrad, Russia (Avtotor) Zaporizhia, Ukraine (AvtoZAZ) Bicutan, Parañaque City, Philippines Quito, Ecuador (AYMESA)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Related	Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Matrix Hyundai Tucson Hyundai Tiburon Kia Spectra
Powertrain
Engine	2.0L Beta II I4 petrol 2.7L Delta V6 petrol 2.0L CRDI I4 diesel
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	103.5 in (2,629 mm)
Length	171.3 in (4,351 mm)
Width	2005–08: 70.9 in (1,801 mm) 2007–08 4WD (Europe): 1,840 mm (72.4 in) 2007–08 2WD (Europe): 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height	66.7 in (1,694 mm) 2007–08 (Europe): 1,730 mm (68.1 in)

After a 2-year hiatus, the 2005 Sportage returned, sharing its Elantra-based platform with the 2005 Hyundai Tucson. The Sportage will also have a 2.0 L straight-4 Diesel engine available in the United Kingdom. Pricing starts at just over US$16,000. Critics and fans of the original, pre-Hyundai Sportage complain that it is considerably larger than the original Sportage and has none of the earlier offroad capability, the two keys for its success. However, buyers of the second generation model are likely to favor the available 173 hp (129 kW) V6, with 178 pounds of torque (241 N·m). The ride is considerably more comfortable, quiet and fun. Overall fit/finish and quality is noticeably improved over the 1st generation model.

2009 Kia Sportage LX (US)

Facelift model of the second generation was introduced in May 2008. Since 2007, it is manufactured at the Žilina Plant in Slovakia. A second facelift was introduced in the UK in early 2009 only a few months after its first facelift.

Kia Sportage named as one of the most reliable vehicles from 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey. The Kia Sportage ranked second in the “20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure” list by Insure.com. According to research, the Sportage is one of the least expensive vehicles to insure. Low rates tend to reflect a vehicle’s safety.

Total U.S. sales

Calendar Year	Sales
2005	29,009
2006	37,071
2007	49,393
2008	32,754
2009	42,509

Crash test ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) displays a 2008 Sportage as an example of a weak roof

The second-generation Kia Sportage earned a top rating of five stars in crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety judged it merely Acceptable for frontal and side-impact crash performance, and Poor for the strength of its roof in a rollover.

Third generation (2010–present)

Third generation
Overview
Production	2010–present
Assembly	Gwangju Plant, Gwangju, South Korea Žilina Plant, Žilina, Slovakia Karawang, Indonesia
Designer	Peter Schreyer
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door wagon
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L I4 GDI petrol 2.0 L I4 petrol 164hp 2.0 L I4 GDI (turbo) 2.4 L I4 petrol 175hp 1.7 L I4 CRDi turbo diesel 2.0 L I4 CRDi turbo diesel
Transmission	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,640 mm (103.9 in)
Length	4,445 mm (175.0 in)
Width	1,855 mm (73.0 in)
Height	1,645 mm (64.8 in)

The 2011 Kia Sportage was released in April 2010 to Asian and European market, with North and Central American market release on 8 August, 2010. Australian market release debuted in late October. It currently uses a 2.0L CRDi 136 and 184 hp (137 kW) Hyundai R diesel engine. The engine is the same one used in the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T.

In China, the third generation, called Sportage R, was released by Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia in October 2010, and to be built and marketed alongside—rather than as replacement of—the existing model. Kia Sportage win award Car of the year 2011 in Slovakia - originally "Auto roku 2011 na Slovensku".

Safety

The 3rd generation Kia Sportage, designed by Peter Schreyer, awarded 'Top Safety Pick' from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States. Earning the award became tougher in 2010 when IIHS added the rollover crash test, which measures roof strength and is twice as stringent as the federal requirement. To pass this test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of three times the vehicle’s weight (acceptable rating). The federal standard requires a roof to hold 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight.

Kia Sportage Si, Australia

External links

• New Kia Sportage 2010
• Sportage Forums for Owners