1997 Kia Sportage EX review from North America
"Good vehicle if still under warranty"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
My four wheel drive gave out two months after the original 5-year/50,000 mile warranty.
I recently received a recall notice about my seat belt latches.
My dashboard sensor to tell me that I'm running low on gas worked for about one week after purchase.
General comments?
This Kia Sportage is the best four wheel drive vehicle I have ever driven in snow. Honestly, it is a tank. Unfortunately, the four wheel drive stopped working 2 months after the drive train warranty ended. I felt this most untimely inconvenience today shortly before being pulled out of snow by a Nissan Pathfinder, which I will mention has four wheel drive even after the warranty has expired.
Otherwise, this mini-SUV is a good vehicle for long and short trips. The gas mileage could be better, but I've had worse.
Recommended reviews
| A piece of junk, not worthy of the junkyard |
|
| Dependable little car |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 32000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 54000 miles |
| Previous car | Mazda B2600 |
| Date of Entry | 17th February, 2003 |