1997 Kia Sportage Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
18 - 19 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(11 Total Reviews)
97 Kia--Poor Mechanical Quality
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon
Review
I bought the truck used because it was cheap, I have owned it less than 2 years. It has 62k miles on it. I just brought it in for the transmission to find out, Transmission is shot, head gasket is blown, and I need a new clutch. I also recently replaced the starter and had 4 wheel drive repaired. The truck never drove well to begin with. Very noisy and no power at all.
Favorite Features
None
Suggested Improvements
Mechanical quality is extremely lacking. Need to upgrade everything on the vehichle
5 out 7 people found this review helpful
WORK CAR
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD Wagon
Review
SOME WIRE PROBLEMS, FUN TO DRIVE LOW PRICE
Favorite Features
5 SPEED, AIR
Suggested Improvements
REAR DOOR
GOOD LITTLE TRUCK
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon
Review
IT IS A GOOD CAR IN GENERAL, VERY GOOD IN THE SNOW, THE WIND NOISE IS JUST ABOUT AVERAGE, AND WHEN GOING UP HILL WITH FOUR PEOPLE IN THE CAR DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT PUT THE A/C ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND THE BELTS SQUEEL NOT MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU CHANGE THEM, BUT REGARLES WE ARE HAPPY WITH IT...YOU CAN GO WRONG WITH IT
Favorite Features
EASY TO HANDLE, RELIABLE, AND GREAT FOR THE MONEY
Suggested Improvements
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NOISE BELTS, BIGGER ENGINE, WINDOW DEFROST
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Kia Sportage
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon
Review
No major problems! Resetting the radio was annoying; locating the horn's zone was annoying; Otherwise, a better than fair smaller SUV.
Favorite Features
Gas mileage and reliability. I haven't seen one stranded on the road and it has run well. I had questions initially and the KIA headquarters were GREAT!!
Suggested Improvements
Sales Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX 4WD Wagon
Review
I bought my Kia new. During the first 6 months I had a few problems. The air bag lights would not go out. I brought the vehicle for service about 6 or 7 times and finally they fixed it. Overall the vehicle has been reliable. I had the front bumper repainted(the paint flaked off) However, I used the vehicle for a sales position. I drove all over New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, and Texas in this vehicle. The only thing I did was replace the brakes and change the oil. The vehicle ran great until 90,000 miles and then I had to replace the timing belt.
Favorite Features
Reliability, Compact Style, Smooth Ride
Suggested Improvements
More Power, Rear Door hatch, and Folding rear seats.
Sportage EX 4x4 Time to let go of it.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX 4WD Wagon
Review
I purchased this Kia new in 1997, except for the Check Engine light which came on all the time during the first 3- 4 years, I have not had any major problems. I currently have 107,000 miles on it and it still starts and runs good every day. Just oil changes every 5,000 miles and a front gear clutch at 59,000, covered by warrantee. I am now in the market for a new car and am considering KIA again. I feel I got my moneys worth out of this car. I did also replace the front windshield glass 3 times due to stones, maybe the Kia glass is too soft I dont know.
Favorite Features
Ride, starts every day, runs good.
Suggested Improvements
What a CUTE car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX 4WD Wagon
Review
We love our Sportage! We've had it for 4-1/2 years, and the only (minor) problem has been the check enging light, which comes on and goes off at will. It has never been in for servicing except for the recommended 60,000 miles and a minor factory recall on the locks, which was fixed by the dealer in minutes. Does FANTASTIC in the snow! Everyone else is stranded, and I pop it into 4WD and take off! This is our 2nd Kia, and we've got over 120,000 on our Sephia and no problems with it either. For an inexpensive 4- cylinder, we've gotten our money's worth of fun! What do you expect for $16,000? (Ours was loaded).
Favorite Features
The way it looks. It's SOooooo Cute! Easy to maneuver, can park in pretty tight spots. Took it from Seattle to Reno - twice! Have never had a problem.
Suggested Improvements
Stronger engine would be nice. Cupholder position is awkward, blocks access to radio and climate controls. Don't like having to open the back end from inside the car. Cupholders in the rear, along with an auxilliary 12-volt port. Dual front airbags.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Doesn't suck
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX 4WD Wagon
Review
Bought the Kia new. Have been relatively satisfied. Currently have 64,000 miles on it and have been places other mini-utes can't even dream of driving. It's great in the snow and off road. There has been one major issue - having to replace the radiator at 44,000 miles and one minor issue - a check engine light that is more of an annoyance than anything else. Every dealer I called says that unless it's flashing it's not a major problem. So, it comes on and off every once in a while and I ignore it. No sense replacing the computer for a minor annoyance.
Favorite Features
Off road capablilty for a small vehicle. Good manuverability in the snow.
Suggested Improvements
Move the trunk and fuel tank releases to somewhere else. A/C that cools the car down quicker. A better computer system.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Cross Country in a Kia
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX Wagon
Review
We took a cross country trip in May this year from Florida to California. We drove to San Antonio, Carlsbad Caverns,NM, through Roswell and into Albuquerque. From there it was onto The Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, then Las Vegas and finally Coronado Island off of San Diego, Calif. The Kia Sportage EX took those mountains roads like it was made to do so. It never overheated during our trek through the deserts either. Came back along I-10 without a hitch. I'd do it again in this car without a worry.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
A little more leg room for the back seat.
this vehicle sucks
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX Wagon
Review
i have had this vehicle for only about a year and a half. replaced air,computer problems and muffler problems and also ignition problems. don't ever buy one
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
whole vehicle
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
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