Kia Sportage

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Kia Sportage

Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Parent company	Hyundai Motor Company
Production	1995–2003 2005–present
Class	Mini SUV (1995-2002) Compact crossover SUV (2005-present)
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Similar	Honda CR-V Jeep Wrangler Toyota RAV4

First generation

Production	1995-2003
Assembly	Hwasung, Korea
Engine	2.0L 130 hp I4
Wheelbase	92.9 in
Length	156.4 in
Width	68.1 in
Height	65.0 in
Related	Mazda Bongo

Second generation

Production	2005–present
Assembly	Kwang-Ju, South Korea
Engine	2.0 L Diesel, 2.4L I4, 2.7L V6
Wheelbase	103.5 in
Length	171.3 in
Width	70.9 in
Height	66.7 in
Related	Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Tucson Kia Spectra

The Kia Sportage (pronounced Spor'tij in the United States and Spor'tahj in French-speaking countries and Canada) is a compact crossover SUV built by the Korean automaker Kia Motors since 1995. Originally, it was a mini SUV, but the second generation Sportage is a compact crossover SUV.

[edit] First generation (1993-2003)

Kia Sportage Convertible

The first generation Sportage was a mini SUV or "toy" sport utility vehicle, based on the Mazda Bongo platform.

Sportage was sold in either a four-door or a two-door soft-top. The first-generation Sportage was discontinued in North America for 2002 and worldwide for 2003 and put on hiatus until a second generation model was ready. The four-door model comes in just a quarter of one inch longer and the same width as the Geo Tracker, but boasts 145 hp (108 kW) and optional four wheel drive. The 1998 Kia Sportage was the world's first production vehicle to be equipped with a knee airbag.

[edit] Second generation (2005–present)

After a 2-year hiatus, the 2005 Sportage shares its Elantra-based platform with the 2005 Hyundai Tucson. As part of the shift, the Kia Sorento now becomes Kia's compact off-road SUV, and the Sportage moves to become Kia's first crossover SUV. The Sportage will also have a 2.0 L Diesel engine available in the United Kingdom. Pricing is expected to start at just over US$17,000. Critics and fans of the original, pre-Hyundai Sportage complain that it is considerably larger than the original Sportage and has none of the earlier offroad capability, the two keys for its success. And Kia's only off-roading compact SUV is still the Kia Sorento.