2006 Kia Sportage EX review from North America

Purchased a 2006 EX w/Lux pkg in June for wife/family vehicle replacing a larger SUV. Initially attracted to vehicle by warranty and all the many "safety" & "std" features. Test drove a Sportage over a wk-end and since we keep our vehicles for 6-10 yrs, then took a look at almost everything out there that matched our few minimum requirements.

After every other test drive, the Sportage move back up to 1st place based upon price/features/safety/warranty/rear seating comfort (note: most rear seats in other SUV's/cross-overs do not furnish decent support/comfort!)

Took a 4.0 hr mostly hwy round trip next day, varying speed up & down for a good break-in and got 22.9 MPG. WOW! Haven't ck-ed since, but will again soon.

But there are a couple of more or less nagging issues that I believe could be fixable, but dlr says "all is normal":

(1) 4-speed auto trany REALLY drags down the speed when letting off the gas (IE: doesn't "free wheel" too good). This takes quite a bit to get use too (still haven't) and we are guessing may also impact MPG in long haul!

(2) Front wheels tend to want to "self-center" themselves way too much. IE: Steering wheel spins back VERY HARD and VERY FAST as you make a corner or take a curve. This could be dangerous. We never ever experienced this un-controlled feeling with any other vehicle. The test drive vehicle did it just a bit, but not so much pronounced.

Has anyone else experienced these short comings?? Have they been corrected?

Otherwise, quite a nice all around vehicle! Thanks, JF.