2013 Kia Sportage Platinum 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Great for a family of four

Faults:

The only issue in the time we have had it is a worn out sway bar link that I replaced in the driveway at home.

General Comments:

This car has been great for our family, it has plenty of get up and go from the diesel engine and is great on fuel; on longer trips we average around 6 l/100km, but around town it's closer to 9.5, which for an AWD SUV isn't too bad.

It handles well enough for the type of vehicle and has good visibility.

I service it myself and it's easy to work on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2025

2007 Kia Sportage CRDI 2.0 diesel

Summary:

Safe, modern, reliable and versatile - but probably boring

Faults:

Ignition immobiliser failed at about 42000 km.

General Comments:

Plenty of power, never feels laboured, but not a sprinter.

Versatile - big enough to carry a reasonable load - with good folding seats etc, but small enough to be a city car and park easily.

Tows my boat and climbs up snowy mountain roads.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th November, 2010

1999 Kia Sportage FX 4X4 2.0 DOHC

Summary:

Nice enough vehicle, just needed too much TLC to keep it running

Faults:

Engine would turn over, but not start. After much research and frustration, this was traced to the fuel relay and ECI relay in the engine bay. Rather than replacing them, it was easier to carry a piece of 600grit wet+dry sand paper and clean the contact points on the relay. Then it would start straight away.

Front brake rotors became warped easily, only lasted about 5000km when replaced, got so bad the whole car shuddered, so had to replace again, just before selling.

Metal on metal banging noise on every bump you travel over, seems there was no rubber on a part of the front stabilizer bar, just got used to it.

Automatic locking front hubs would not work if the flimsy rubber vacuum hoses had any holes in them or had cracked, replaced them a few times.

General Comments:

Overall, it was an OK car with a few annoying things.

It could get going pretty quickly if the revs were kept up high from gear to gear.

The cabin was comfortable, and the rear seat folded down and forward, giving heaps of room in the back, nearly enough to lie down in.

Fuel economy was around 11.5 liters per 100 kilometres, but I didn't drive it gently.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th February, 2010

2002 Kia Sportage 4x4

Summary:

OK small 4x4 around town, light sand, no good for heavier off road performance

Faults:

Electric window switches were replaced on the drivers and passenger door... Now faulty again... Cannot wind the passenger door down from the drivers door and intermittently won't go up.

Clutch burning smell for 18 months, dealer couldn't find a fault. Clutch went, was replaced and had ran out of warranty.

Noisy diff, bad bearings??? etc replaced 12 months ago. Same noise starting to come back... Advised may need complete diff assembly replacing, which will be expensive as diff needs to come from Korea.

Rear tailgate door lock rattles and doesn't close properly after the dealer decided to adjust, was working fine before hand.

Rear cab light blows glove as soon as replaced.

Brake transmission lines replaced as leaked fluid when vehicle was purchased in 2004. 2005 fan and fan assembly was replaced as had a crack in it.

Squeaky front drivers door, which has been adjusted oiled etc won't go away.

Radio/CD player has been replaced under warranty had very faded display and shuts off requiring reset and code to be re-entered. Replacement often shuts off, and requires reset and code to be entered also.

Front brakes recently replaced, rear ones also getting due for replacement too.

4x4 sometimes sticks when going back to 2x4, generally just reversing then going forward again disengages hubs.

General Comments:

For a small 4x4 it travels okay and has reasonable power.

For 4x4 side of things pretty average. Not much good in the sand, compared to other 4x4's I have owned.

For mechanical side, pretty poor with things that have gone wrong for a reasonably new car that has done less than 100 000 kms.

Have towed a small camper trailer approx 2000kms round trip, the vehicle handled and pulled it reasonable well, which was surprising. Was on a main highway.

I don't think I would buy another as I haven't been overly happy with this one. Really think the dealer should have repaired faults whilst the vehicle was under warranty, now out of warranty I am left to foot the bill.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th May, 2007