1997 Kia Sportage Review
1997 Kia Sportage Review
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Pros
- Slick styling, cheap price, spunky DOHC engine
Cons
- Build quality, cargo room, cheap interior materials
What’s new
An automatic transmission is offered on 2WD models, and the EX trim level is available in 2WD for the first time. Power door locks, a theft-deterrent system and a spare tire carrier are all standard on all Sportages for 1997. A new option is a CD player. Sportage gets a new grille. A tan interior can be combined with black paint for the first time. Base 2WD models lose their standard alloy wheels.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$229/mo for Sportage EX
Sportage EX
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Vehicle overview
Many residents of the Midwest and along the East Coast don't know what the heck a Kia is. Kia's are built near Seoul, South Korea, and are currently sold in western and southeastern U.S. markets. The company builds an inexpensive compact sedan, called the Sephia, and a wonderfully affordable sport utility called the Sportage.
Part-owned by Ford and Mazda, Kia relies heavily on resources from both companies as it struggles to its feet in a tough marketplace. The Sportage is the product of a collaboration between Kia, Ford, Mazda and suspension-tuning guru Lotus. Designed from the start as a sport utility, the Sportage sports tough ladder frame construction, shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive, and a Mazda-based powerplant.
Two trim levels are available: base and EX. Base models are well-trimmed, including power windows, tinted glass, split-folding seats, a remote fuel door release, power mirrors and a rear defroster. Power door locks, a theft deterrent system, and a spare tire carrier are newly standard for 1997. The EX adds cruise control, rear wiper and a remote liftgate release. Optional are a roof rack, air conditioning, premium stereo, CD player, leather interior, an automatic transmission and a limited slip differential.
A wide variety of colors are available on the Sportage's smoothly styled flanks; few of which appear to have originated from the minds of the folks currently in charge of painting Matchbox cars. The look is rugged yet cute; perfect for family duty in the burbs. Off-road, we found the Sportage confidence-inspiring, but it didn't feel as tight as a Toyota RAV4.
For most owners, that won't matter. Few SUV's actually leave the pavement, and on the pavement is where the Sportage shines. Lotus engineers worked wonders here, and the Sportage is stable and comfortable. The seating position is high and upright, visibility is outstanding, and the layout of the dashboard and controls is top-notch. Rear seat riders enjoy lots of room and support, afforded by "stadium style" elevated seating. From the driver's seat, the Sportage looks and feels much more substantial than its low price would lead you to believe. Our only quibble with the Sportage's interior was the lack of storage space, though this year's standard spare tire carrier certainly helps.
Kia hopes the younger families and active singles that will be buying the Sportage will find its affordability a welcome trade for some cargo room. With a loaded 4WD EX topping out at around $21,000, we think they've got little to worry about.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Kia Sportage.
5 star(17%)
4 star(45%)
3 star(10%)
2 star(21%)
1 star(7%)
29 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Sportage EX 4x4 Time to let go of it.
jkwh50a, 11/14/2002
1997 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD
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.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Doesn't suck
Ginsu68, 07/17/2002
1997 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD
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.
4.5 out of 5 stars
This car won't leave you stranded
Lena LaFaye, 11/29/2008
1996 Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
I have owned this car for six years now. It has never once left me stranded. If you treat this car well it will run. Repairs I have done were normal considering the age. Timing belt, front wheel bearings, harmonic balancer, starter, fan clutch, brake drums and other scheduled maintenance. This car has lasted multiple cross country road trips and does exceptional on the highway. Even … now, with it being 12 years old I get 23mpg city and 30mpg hwy. The new model sportage is put to shame by this. People mention to me my car doesn't accelerate fast. I don't mind this because I'm not a fast driver. I like that it's high enough that you can step into it not stand up or stoop down.
2.13 out of 5 stars
Nightmare
Elnur, 03/08/2006
1997 Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
Door key cylinder fell inside the door body the day I brought it home. I had nearly 20 visits to the dealership that year for that problem alone. There were times I was entering the car from the passenger side. 2nd year: O2 sensor went, front brakes cylinders (?) collapsed, service light came on and off. I developed tennis elbow using the Kia shift stick For as long as I owned the car: … The car shook anytime over 45 mph - multiple visits to dealership. A horrible rattling sound under the driver's side - multiple visits to dealership. Could not get a clear view in the rear when reversing. Overall an annoying, frustrating and painful experience!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Kia Sportage, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sportage since its last redesign.
1997 Sportage Highlights
EX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $229/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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