Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built by the South Korean manufacturer Kia Motors since 1993.
First generation (NB-7; 1993–2005)
The first-generation Kia Sportage was developed with a Mazda Bongo engineering base platform. It shares many mechanical components such as the engine, transmissions, and differentials with the Mazda line of vehicles. This was during Kia's alliance with Ford and Mazda, which involved Ford/Mazda providing technology and Kia providing inexpensive manufacturing facilities for Ford.Early in 1994, an experimental project was attempted between Kia Motors and Daimler-Benz AG. A small number of converted three-door convertibles into two-door pickups, designated GLL200, were produced. Actual production numbers have never been verified, but were rumored to be no more than 25 units assembled. All were test marketed through franchise dealerships in Seoul, South Korea, and Taipei, Taiwan. The collaboration was soon abandoned as Daimler unexpectedly withdrew before a formal agreement was achieved.
From 1995 to 1998, the Sportage was built by Karmann in Germany; European buyers received German-built versions in that period, while the rest of the world received South Korean-built versions. It was launched in Asia in July 1993 and European sales started two years later.
The Sportage was sold in either a five-door SUV or a three-door soft-top convertible. Kia initially developed the wagon in standard length form, but in circa 1996, the company released an extended length version. This stretched model—mainly sold in Asian markets under the name "Sportage Grand", but also as the "Grand Wagon"—featured a longer body utilizing the same wheelbase, an increase in luggage capacity from, and the relocation of the spare wheel from the tailgate to underneath the floor.
Kia offered three Mazda-sourced engines in the Sportage, beginning with the 2.0-liter FE DOHC inline-four gasoline unit producing and the 2.0-liter RF inline-four diesel rated at. Diesel-engined models were mostly restricted to European markets, as was the more basic single overhead camshaft version of the 2.0-liter FE gasoline inline-four. Delivering, this gasoline engine was available from 2000 onwards. In North America, the 2.0-liter FE DOHC engine produced and had optional four-wheel drive. The 1997 model year Kia Sportage was the world's first production vehicle to be equipped with a knee airbag.
This first-generation model sold in low numbers, even domestically in South Korea, and models after Hyundai's 1998 partial takeover of Kia were recalled twice for rear wheels dismounting while driving. The first-generation Sportage was discontinued in South Korea in 2002, and in North America after the 2002 model year. By 2003, most international markets had discontinued the Sportage range, although it remained on sale in some developing countries until its second-generation replacement arrived in 2005.
The Kia Sportage scored the lowest possible result in the Australian ANCAP crash tests – one star out of five. As well as a failure of the seat belts, the vehicle structure collapsed.
Second generation (JE/KM; 2005–2010)
After a two-year hiatus, the Sportage returned in model-year 2005, sharing an Hyundai Elantra-based platform with the 2005 Hyundai Tucson. A 2.0 L straight-4 diesel engine was available in the United Kingdom. Pricing started at just over US$16,000. Fans of the original pre-Hyundai Sportage and critics complained that it was considerably larger than the original Sportage and had none of its off-road capability, the two keys to its success. However, buyers of the second-generation model were likely to favor the available V6, with 178 lb·ft of torque. Overall fit/finish and quality was noticeably improved over the first-generation model.A facelift model of the second generation was introduced in May 2008. From 2007, it was manufactured at the Žilina Plant in Slovakia. A second facelift was introduced in the UK in early 2009, only a few months after its first facelift.
The Sportage was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey. The Kia Sportage ranked second in the "20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure" list by Insure.com. According to research, the Sportage is one of the least expensive vehicles to insure. Low rates tend to reflect a vehicle's safety.
Safety
The second-generation Sportage earned a top rating of five stars in crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety judged it merely acceptable for frontal and side-impact crash, performance, and poor strength of its roof in a rollover.| Test | Rating |
| Overall: | |
| Moderate overlap front: | Average |
| Side: | Average |
| Roof strength: | Poor |
| Head restraints & seats: | Poor |
Third generation (SL; 2010–2015)
The SL series Sportage was released to Asian and European markets in April 2010, the North and Central American markets in August 2010, and the Australian market in October 2010, for the 2011 model year. Two engines were available, a 2.0-liter Hyundai R diesel engine with, and a 2.0-liter Theta T-GDI gasoline engine. In China, it was released by Dongfeng Yueda Kia in October 2010 and called the Sportage R, and was to be built and marketed alongside the previous generation rather than as a replacement for it.The Sportage won the 2011 Car of the Year in Slovakia and "Truck of the Year" nomination of International Car of the Year. It was top of the JD Power Survey for 2012, the only car in the survey to score five stars across all categories, from mechanical reliability to ownership costs and the dealer experience. In South Africa, it took the 2013 Standard Bank People's Wheels Award for "SUVs and Crossovers – City & Suburban".
The third generation received a facelift for the 2014 model year that included new headlamps and fog lamps.
Safety
The third-generation Sportage received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States. Earning the award became tougher in 2010 when IIHS added the rollover crash test, which measures roof strength and is twice as stringent as the federal requirement. To pass this test, a vehicle's roof must be able to withstand the force of three times the vehicle's weight. The federal standard requires a roof to hold 1.5 times the vehicle's weight.| Test | Rating |
| Overall | |
| Small overlap front | Poor |
| Moderate overlap front | Good |
| Side | Good |
| Roof strength | Good |
| Head restraints & seats | Good |
Fourth generation (QL; 2015–present)
Kia unveiled its newly redesigned Sportage at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015, and brought it to market in 2016. The company said the contrasting sharp edges and smooth surfaces were inspired by modern fighter jets.There are three gasoline engines, as well as one diesel engine in the line-up. The gasoline options are a 1.6-liter, 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter, offering around 97 kW/161 N⋅m, 120 kW/200 N⋅m and 138 kW/241 N⋅m respectively, while the diesel is a 2.0-liter turbo that will produce around 135 kW/400 N⋅m. A 130 kW/265 N⋅m 1.6 T-GDi turbo-gasoline with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and a 136 kW/400Nm 2.0 R-Series diesel. Front- and all-wheel drive configurations are available.
In North America, the new Sportage is offered with three trim levels. Much like the previous model, it is available with two inline-four engine choices, a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter and a turbocharged 2.0-liter. The 2.4-liter produces and, while the turbocharged engine makes and, with small differences in performance dependent on whether FWD or AWD is configured. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Kia KX5 (Chinese version)
In China, the fourth generation Sportage was sold as the Kia KX5, the third generation model was sold alongside as the Sportage R, while the Kia Sportage name was used on a separate model developed from the second generation Hyundai ix35 chassis and also sold alongside.The Kia KX5 received a facelift in 2019 conducted by Dongfeng Yueda Kia that would exclusively be sold in China only.
Available from March 2019, the front fascia was completely restyled with headlamps integrated with the grille and the rear end of the KX5 was also slightly redesigned for the Chinese market. Despite the exclusively restyled exterior, the wheels of the Chinese version are the same as the ones on the international Kia Sportage facelift.
Safety
The 2017 Sportage received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.| Test | Rating |
| Overall: | |
| Small overlap front: | Good |
| Moderate overlap front: | Good |
| Side: | Good |
| Roof strength: | Good |
| Head restraints & seats: | Good |
| Front crash prevention: | Superior |
| Headlights: | Acceptable |
| Child seat anchors ease of use: | Acceptable |
Awards
The Sportage won the 2016 Red Dot Award for Car Design.Sales
The Sportage was Kia's best selling model worldwide in 2016, overtaking the Rio.| Calendar year | United States | Canada | South Korea | Europe | Global |
| 1998 | 28,582 | ||||
| 1999 | 52,383 | ||||
| 2000 | 62,350 | 2,506 | |||
| 2001 | 52,369 | 2,922 | |||
| 2002 | 39,436 | 1,399 | |||
| 2003 | 5,616 | 0 | |||
| 2004 | 121 | 27,559 | |||
| 2005 | 29,009 | 57,031 | |||
| 2006 | 37,071 | 35,867 | |||
| 2007 | 49,393 | 32,563 | |||
| 2008 | 32,754 | 23,974 | |||
| 2009 | 42,509 | 27,874 | |||
| 2010 | 23,873 | 44,770 | |||
| 2011 | 47,463 | 52,018 | |||
| 2012 | 36,357 | 43,993 | 359,742 | ||
| 2013 | 32,965 | 29,168 | |||
| 2014 | 42,945 | 47,729 | |||
| 2015 | 53,739 | 6,509 | 52,748 | 399,969 | |
| 2016 | 81,066 | 49,877 | 515,067 | ||
| 2017 | 72,824 | 42,232 | |||
| 2018 | 82,823 | 37,373 | |||
| 2019 | 89,278 | 28,271 | 109,838 |