2000 Kia Sportage EX review from North America

Upon purchase, the hatchback did not close right, dealer staff told me to put more muscle into it.

Replaced OC Sensor; then the 4x4 Solenoid, this I had to fight the dealer and Kia on. I purchased this vehicle 4 months prior to the 100K warranty, this happened just under powertrain warranty exp. I had taken it to the dealer several times with this issue (a loud banging noise in the front end on occasion). Initially they wanted to charge me an insane amount of $$. After I don't know how many calls, I got them to replace the part (which shouldn't have gone bad). I paid about $ 100 bucks so they could warranty the new parts for 1 year.

The 4wheel went one Christmas; the Kia had to be pulled by a Ford! Anyway it was an issue with the vacuums.

Then the hubs had to be rebuilt like a year later, and on more that one occasion I found myself driving in snow storms in the northern tri-state in a rear wheel vehicle. Here is what I learned about the 4 wheel drive system in my Kia, which is a 2000; they used the 4 wheel drive system from the 93-97 Ford Ranger. Ford learned it wasn't a great system so they reviewed it and sold the left over parts to Kia. You can buy just the bearing from Napa for $7 bucks; that is what we got them for, and rebuilt the existing hubs instead of buying new for over $300, I believe from Ford no less.

All in all, I am still driving it mostly because I own it and it has over 96K, but here we go again, she is running hot on me now. I was really hopping to get another few months out of this thing, but it's not looking good.

For about $5k more you can get a Honda or Toyota, and you know you will get well over 100K in mileage and better resale/trade in value.

I don't know what to do with this Kia in good conscious; how do I sell it to someone... thought about donating it, but first I have to know they will some how get cash for it and use it for something someone can actually use...

Almost forgot, the heat shield rattles and continues to rattle... don't park on any leaves in the fall.

Val in Jersey.

Handles pretty well considering... sluggish up hills, and must turn the A/C off in the summer.