2002 Kia Sportage 4x4 from North America - Comments

Check engine light came on. A minor oopsie that the dealer corrected!

This is a real SUV! Unlike those sissy little Rav 4's and CR-V 's! It has a rugged body on frame design, and it's ready for anything you can throw at it!

The interior is both classy and elegant. A definite grade above that of a CR-V or a Rav 4. Fit & Finish is also the quality of a Mercedes. Whatever bugs Kia originally had, they've smoothed them out nicely.

The car has reasonable pep, although it's a tad sluggish.

The interior is roomier than that of a CR-V or a Rav 4. It is extremely comfortable too.

The Sportage is also a very safe car, much safer than the CR-V and Rav 4. The Sportage has an advanced airbag system that also protects the knees.

The Sportage has an excellent stereo system, and the air conditioning works marvelously!

The seats are made of richly woven fabric, and feel exquisite.

Kia also stands behind their vehicle. Unlike the stingy warranties from Toyota and Honda, Kia offers 10 year coverage for the powertrain. I'm glad they do, because I plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time, and if anything happens, I won't have to choose between a bus pas or a hefty repair bill, unlike I would in the CR-V or Rav 4.

And did I mention the price? It's lower than that of the CR-V and Rav4 by quite a significant margin. It's an excellent value that I would highly reccomend.

I will definitely be buying another Kia!

I have owned two Kias so far--a 2000 Spectra and a 2002 Sportage. They are a great value, certainly cheaper than a CR-V or RAV-4, but you have to consider the resale value. You can buy a CR-V or RAV-4 and they will hold very, very good resale value (Honda and Toyota after all), but as great as the kias are you will be losing major money in the long run because resale value falls to almost half the day after you've bought it.

I own a Sportage 2002 and absolutely love it. I have experienced a couple minor problems (air pressure at high speeds not allowing window to fully close, dash lights: to be specific only one, the rear wiper light is sometimes on and sometimes off, 4x4 on the fly was a bit stiff for first 25,000 kms, but eased up nicely around 30,000 kms) all of which were repaired promptly by my dealer. I drive in harsh conditions (Manitoba Canada winters...brrr) and can't rave enough about the handling of this little roughneck 4x4. Finally one of the most important reasons I love this vehicle is I am very comfortable with my loved ones using the vehicle in any driving condition regardless of their driving experience.

As a side note, doesn't the original entry on this page look like it was written by a Kia dealer or PR rep for Kia? lol oh well at least it was accurate :)

I have been looking at buying a Kia Sportage. Unfortunately I cannot afford the 2002 model. If one reads through the reviews of people that have had basically a Sportage from 1996-2001 - it would seem foolish to purchase one of these cars. Virtually without exception - most people are enraged by this car. I agree - this review seems to be written by a dealer! I think it is inappropriate to highlight a vehicle by constantly (and repetitively) under-mining other makes of similar cars. Why not just talk about the car in isolation? Also - there is a very big difference in slagging off other cars without ever having owned and driven one for an extended period of time. If you read some of the original reviews of new Kia Sportage's when they are tested - they are all glowing. But read those reviews of people who owned them, drove them for EXTENDED periods and you find totally different opinions coming through. I am grateful to have found this site where personal, long term experience of a motor vehicle is expressed.

I would never say that a sportage is better then a rav4 or a crv... specially only after 1 year / 10000km.

Hyundai and Kia have horrible dealership reputation when it comes to honoring their warrenties.

Some Kia's and Hundais are fantastic cars.

I own an Elantra and I find it superior to a same year 1.7l civics in most aspects... (with exception of fuel consumption and resell)

Overall, I think your review is a little exagerated.

Fact is, A CRV and a Rav4 have reputation and long term durability.

The Kia Sportage, well half of them will come with tiny little problems everywere and have more breakdowns then a crv or rav4.

Your review is unrealistic as it exagerates and glorifies the car way to much.

I purchased my 2002 Kia 4x4 through an auto auction and found that I still had a car under warranty. I made a list of all of the things the previous owner had not repaired and headed for the KIA dealer on a tow truck. Forgot to mention that KIA included emergency roadside assistance and towing in their warranty. Anyway, the KIA dealer repaired every problem and replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump, and exhaust system. All repairs have been free of any charge and have restored my used KIA to the condition of a brand new car at no cost to me. KIA even furnished me with a replacement car during all of the repairs free of charge.

First day at home after all the repairs a neighbor was stuck in the mud with his 2006 Ford F-350 4x4 and I offered to help. He is still upset that he had to have a little KIA Sportage pull him out of the mud. lol.

I could not be happier with a car if it cost a million bucks and I am very impressed with the performance of the car and the warranty service I have received. Also, when the car runs out of warranty KIA still gives free warranty road side assistance and towing for as long as you continue the normal maintenance (OIL CHANGE) at the KIA dealership.

I bought a 2002 4X4 Kia Sportage as a used vehicle... with 120,000 miles on it and have had virtually NO problems although I took it into the shop for any necessary maintenance it may have needed. The interior/exterior were in great condition, but I did need to do some brake work and replace the struts. Not bad for a car which you knew nothing about. I really like it's tight cornering capabilities. And though mine is a 5 speed, once it's up and going it has plenty of life. Thanks KIA, a great little SUV.

For use, even if the Sportage will drop value after buying... the look and uses of this Kia Sportage more than realizable. The geography of our country is helped by this model. MALAYSIA - SABAH MOUNT KINABALU.

I bought a 2002 Sportage. Gas tank had a severe hole in it where it was seamed together, and the fuel pump is leaking out of the cheap plastic hose outlets. This tank has two other parts (breather ports) that screw into. Tank $400, pump $500, breather ports $80 each. It would be nice to buy something for this car and have everything plug and play.

If I had to pay a dealer to fix it, I would rather set it a fire in the guy's driveway that I bought it from. Dealers look and act like they just opened for business, clueless.

I like the look and the way it drives, but because of the repairs and the amateur dealerships, I'm a bit bitter at the moment.

I bought my 2002 KIA Sportage EX new, and have to say this is the hardest working, best little car I have ever owned. Troubles in the 205,000 hard-driving kms on the odometer now have been few and far between - the car owes me not one cent. It's done everything I've asked of it, gone everywhere I've wanted it to, whether city or snow-country. Emission testing comes up with only 0 to minor tracing reading. It's a surprisingly comfortable ride, a good solid vehicle, and I'd recommend KIA to anyone who asks. I'm about to sell it (almost breaks my heart)... but replacing with the new Koup, so staying with the KIA family. For outstanding value, they can't be beat.