Kia Sportage (2005 – 2010) Review

2023 Kia Sportage 1.6T GDi 48V ISG GT-Line 5dr DCT

Kia Sportage
1.6T GDi 48V ISG GT-Line 5dr DCT
£29,645

Kia Sportage (2005 – 2010) At A Glance

Enjoyable drive, especially in diesel form. Plenty of kit. Rear seats recline and fold flat easily. Roomy and practical.

Not as fuel efficient as a RAV-4, CR-V or X-Trail diesel. Thick back pillars compromise rear three-quarter vision.

Insurance Groups are between 18–22
On average it achieves 84% of the official MPG figure

The first nice surprise when you step inside the a Sportage is the smell. There isn't one. Interiors of cars from South Korea used to pong like a glue factory, but thankfully the Sportage is an odour-free zone.

If you're looking for the newer version, you need our Kia Sportage review.

Reviews for Kia Sportage (2005 – 2010)'s top 3 rivals

Hyundai Tucson

A satisfying drive in diesel manual form. Very well equipped and roomy. Five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Chevrolet Captiva

Well equipped as standard. Seats seven reasonably comfortably. Quiet when cruising. Decent diesel engine....

Mitsubishi Outlander

Well equipped, solidly built and roomy, with a good view out.

Kia Sportage (2005 – 2010) handling and engines

Engines range from 2.0 to 2.7 V6
Readers report Real MPG to be between 18–41 mpg

The big surprise is, just like the Hyundai Tucson of which it is pretty much a badge-engineered clone, it handles brilliantly for an SUV. It doesn't lumber like a Freelander, it isn't overlight like a CRV. The steering is pleasantly weighty. It grips as if the front wheels have claws, and you can fling it around like a RAV-4.

You quickly learn there is a huge blind spot at both rear three-quarters which is mostly compensated for by big, convex mirrors. However, as the warning states, what you see in them will be ‘closer than you think' from experience of normal door mirrors. And, despite quite low gearing of 22.5mph per 1,000rpm in 5th, the 2.0 litre petrol engine doesn't give you much go.

I'd guessed the 2.0 litre diesel would be the engine of choice, and that was confirmed when I got to drive it in February 2005. First, off-road on two courses through some woodland both with M+S and more roadgoing snow tyres. There is a selectable centre diff lock and, on XS versions, a Traction Control System which you can leave on or switch off.

With bags of low-down torque from the diesel engine, the car romped through both courses, accomplished some steep ascents, descents and back-breakers and only got stopped once when I didn't give it enough welly on an uphill hairpin through some trees. Once I backed up and went for it again I was through. So, very impressive off road.

On the road I first tried the diesel automatic, which is competent rather than exhilarating. Though it's fine in the suburbs and will cruise all day at 80, main road overtaking is not its forte. However, it is a diesel automatic compact 4x4 SUV and there aren't many alternatives: only the almost identical Hyundai Tucson, the Suzuki Vitara and the LandRover Freelander TD4.

Pick of the bunch for value has to be the Sportage 2.0 diesel XE manual at £15,695. Geared at around 27mph/1,000 rpm it's a bit slow accelerating but will hold 80 - 100 with plenty of steering feel and stability at that sort of speed. It's not as quick or as smooth as the £3,000 more expensive Honda CRV 2.2i CDTI but the steering is sharper and the brakes are really excellent. And it's a comparatively low Insurance Group 9D.

So the Sportage is a good vehicle, with a top of the class rear compartment, it's well equipped and it's very good value for money. For the money its only competitor is the Suzuki Vitara and the basically similar Hyundai Tucson and it's streets ahead of the Vitara. It makes CR-Vs, RAV-4s and X-Trails seem expensive, Freelanders look overpriced and X3s silly money. It looks good too. Especially those dual rear exhaust pipes.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO₂
2.0	34 mpg	11.3 s	194 g/km
2.0 2WD	35 mpg	10.4 s	190 g/km
2.0 CRDi	40 mpg	12.0 s	187 g/km
2.0 CRDi 2WD	35 mpg	15.1 s	184–210 g/km

Real MPG average for the Kia Sportage (2005 – 2010)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

84%

Real MPG

18–41 mpg

MPGs submitted

230

Kia Sportage (2005 – 2010) interior

Boot space is 364–3440 litres

Dimensions
Length	4350 mm
Width	1800–1840 mm
Height	1730 mm
Wheelbase	2630 mm
Full specifications

The indicator switch is on the right. It has a fiddly DIN fit radio/CD with a cheesy ‘welcome' display. And until you get used to them the ergonomics feel all wrong. It doesn't fit around you the manner of a modern motor. The gearlever, parking brake and steering wheel don't all naturally fall to hand. However, with one further reservation, that's all the bad bits done and dusted. It's a very impressive SUV.

The back seats are especially good. Just pull the catches on the top and the squabs move forward as the backs come down leaving a flat load area very quickly indeed. As well as that, the back seats recline slightly, as in the Nissan X-Trail, enabling rear seat passengers who already enjoy plenty of legroom to sleep a long journey away. And in a £15,995 car, leather comes as standard.

The rear hatch of the XS has a separately opening window, as on some Renaults. Unlike Renaults, the button switches are clearly marked and easy to find.

Kia Sportage (2005 – 2010) models and specs

Dimensions
Length	4350 mm
Width	1800–1840 mm
Height	1730 mm
Wheelbase	2630 mm

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight	1615–1842 kg
Boot Space	364–3440 L
Warranty	3 years
Servicing	10000 miles

Costs
List Price	£15,350–£21,045
Insurance Groups	18–22
Road Tax Bands	I–K
Official MPG	27.7–39.8 mpg

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult	-
Child	-
Pedestrian	-
Overall	-

On sale until July 2010

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.0 CRDi XS (2WD) 5dr Auto	£19,895	35.3 mpg	15.1 s

On sale until May 2010

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.0 CRDi TITAN 5dr	£21,045	39.8 mpg	12.0 s
2.0 CRDi XE (2WD) 5dr	£17,195	-	-
2.0 CRDi XE 5dr	£18,195	39.8 mpg	12.0 s
2.0 CRDi XS 5dr	£19,695	39.8 mpg	12.0 s
2.0 XE (2WD) 5dr	£15,995	35.3 mpg	10.4 s
2.0 XE 5dr	£16,995	34.4 mpg	11.3 s
2.0 XS 5dr	£18,495	34.4 mpg	11.3 s

On sale until March 2008

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.0 XE 5dr	£15,350	34.4 mpg	11.3 s
2.0 XS 5dr	£17,050	34.4 mpg	11.3 s
2.7 V6 XS 5dr Auto	£19,535	-	-

On sale until January 2008

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.0 TITAN 5dr	£17,295	34.4 mpg	11.3 s
2.7 V6 TITAN 5dr Auto	£19,435	-	-

On sale until September 2007

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.7 V6 XS 5dr Auto	£19,435	-	-

May 2005

New Sportage based on Hyundai Tucson. Has 112PS 2.0 litre common rail diesel with 245Nm torque from 1,800 - 2,500rmp, 140 PS 2.0 litre petrol engine or 175PS petrol V6. Can be ordered front wheel drive only (in some markets), or four wheel drive.

Four wheel drive distributes power evenly 50/50 front and back. All come on 16" wheels with 235/60 R16 tyres. All have ABS with EBD. In UK Janaury 2005 from £15,000, with two wheel drive model possibly arriving later at from about £12,000. Handles as well on the road as a RAV-4. KIA showed a hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) version at the Paris Show in September 2004. Diesels from a bargain £15,695 for the 2.0 CRDi XE manual (automatic £16,695). Higher-specified XS manual £17,195 (automatic £18,195). 4,350mm x 1,840mm x 1,730mm.

November 2007

2008 Sportage announced. Now built in Zilina, Slovakia, in the same factory as the Cee'd, the 2008 Sportage has a new front bumper, grille, wing mirrors and headlights. PAS has been re-calibrated to be more responsive while new dampers provide a firmer ride with less body roll. Braking power has been increased with a change from 15-inch to 16-inch brake discs, transmission ratios have been adjusted and the towing limit has been increased to 1800kgs.

All seats have been remodelled to cater more for European shaped drivers and passengers and indicator stalks have been moved to left side of the steering wheel in response to customer feedback, now used to having the indicators on the wrong side for RHD.

Entry level is XE, XS adds more kit, range topper is called TITAN, offering ESP, electric sunroof, privacy glass, heated seats and automatic rear view mirror.

Two-wheel drive version also available bringing the entry level price down to £13,995 on-the-road. A diesel-automatic 2WD is also be available. 2008 Sportage come with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty and an improved corrosion warranty of 10 years. Diesels available November 2007, petrol from early 2008.

Full on-the-road price list for the 2008 Kia Sportage:

2.0-litre XE 2WD 140 @ 6000 184 @ 4500 190 35.3 £13,995
2.0-litre XE 4WD 140 @ 6000 184 @ 4500 194 34.4 £14,995
2.0-litre CRDi auto XE 2WD 138 @ 4000 305 @ 1800 - 2500 210 35.3 £15,995
2.0-litre CRDi XE 4WD 138 @ 4000 305 @ 1800 - 2500 187 39.8 £16,195
2.0-litre XS 4WD 140 @ 6000 184 @ 4500 194 34.4 £16,495
2.0-litre CRDi auto XS 2WD 138 @ 4000 305 @ 1800 - 2500 210 35.3 £17,495
2.0-litre CRDi XS 4WD 138 @ 4000 305 @ 1800 - 2500 187 39.8 £17,695
2.0-litre TITAN 4WD 140 @ 6000 184 @ 4500 194 34.4 £17,795
2.0-litre CRDi TITAN 4WD 138 @ 4000 305 @ 1800 - 2500 187 39.8 £18,995
2.7-litre V6 auto TITAN 4WD 173 @ 6000 241 @ 4000 237 28.2 £19,995

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

Brake pad wear chime warning does not always work with the result that worn out pads can damage the discs. Good idea to inspect the pads as much as possible through the wheels on a regular basis.

30-08-2011:

Airbag sensors can fail on 2006 models due to a tight wiring loom.

19-12-2011:

2006 model 2.0 diesels had Diesel Particulate Filters and reader experience indicated that these last up to about 170,000 miles, after which replacement cost is £2,500.

16-04-2014:

Main front to back propshaft reported as simply "falling off" 2008 KIA Sportage, causing considerable damage.

07-07-2018:

Report of severe rust to rear axle and subframe of 2005 KIA Sportage 2.7 V6.