2001 Kia Sportage Review
Fuel Economy
17 - 19 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
For young families and active singles looking to own a sport-ute without getting into financial servitude, the Sportage is worth a look.
Pros
Budget price, impressive equipment levels, stout construction, high fun factor.
Cons
Anemic engine, cheap interior materials, limited rear seat and cargo room.
What's New for 2001
Kia's Long Haul warranty, introduced late in model-year 2000, provides powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles, while a new Limited trim level includes lots of standard goodies over the already well-equipped Base and EX versions.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Good Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Sportage EX 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Out of all the horror stories of previous reviews. I must be a lucky one. My Kia has 88,000 miles. It runs great. No interior accessories broken. Everything electrical works. 4WD work. Heater works great. A/C works great. Everything works great. The only thing I am disappointed of is Gas Mileage. (Whoever heard of a 2.0L 4cyl getting 17mpg city?)
Favorite Features
Side, and front view look. 4WD. Roof rack.
Suggested Improvements
Better quality interior parts. More HP. Better gas mileage.
What a pile...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 2 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Sportage EX 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This is a pile of junk. I have had to fix ignition coils, replace sparks plugs(x4), air conditioning doesn't work, heat only works on the highest or lowest setting, thermostat (x2), timing belt, other belts, battery, starter, alternator, catalyc converter, entire exhaust, transmission, and the fan clutch. The 4WD doesn't work, and I haven't been able to find a mechanic that will touch it. I have had 3 out of the 4 doors break so that they either won't open from inside or out, and the windows on all 4 doors have needed to be fixed at one time or another because they wouldn't open or shut. 2 of the seatbelts are broken and cant be used. Cupholders, paint, ALL JUNK! DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!
Favorite Features
none
Suggested Improvements
Everything.
Not the Best!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Sportage 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bougth this thing used. I read reviews before I bought it, and I ignored them, thinking it can't be that bad. I was wrong. Problems after problems with this thing, I blew out the front dif, gas leaks, slow acceleration, no power, and just before I traded it in, it would only start once in a while... piece of junk.
Favorite Features
4X4 was nice to have.
Suggested Improvements
Everything else.
What a disaster...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 2 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 2 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Sportage 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought it new... loved it for about 6 months when everything went wrong... Replaced exhaust 3 times, drive train broke and service center destroyed my hubs (to factory standard apparently)... heater fan replaced 2x... took it to a non-dealership to have heat shield replaced and weld one in... rear seatbelt (where my kid's where)... broke and wasn't usable... dealership wanted $150. to replace, bought at a wrecker for $20., rear hinges on rear tire bracket rusted within a year... no warranty here either!(look at all of them they all rust!)... All I discovered about Kia was don't trust their warranty. I'd never... ever buy one again!
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Everything! Service was terrible. Tried to take advantage of a woman who they seemed to me couldn't read their warranty sheets about the terrible exhaust system that falls apart on the highway... (actually watched my rattle and clang that they couldn't hear... as it later skidded across highway.
Transmission Sensor
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Kia Sportage 2WD 2dr Convertible SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
This is the perfect vehicle for the city inwhich I reside, narrow streets and no relative high speed areas. However my Sportage has the power to move out on the highway when necessary. A fun vehicle to drive. I love it! Too bad you guys stopped making this model. I do like the new Sportage SUV, but my 2001 Kia fits the bill!! I would have bought one of these new had I known about the vehicle at that time.
Favorite Features
I guess my favorite feature would be the removable canvas top. Living in South Florida makes it a real fun drive around town car.
Suggested Improvements
Would have liked to see some improvements with the sensor located in the transmission. This sensor when it goes bad causes the speedomed to stop working, the check engine lite to stay on and the hold light to flash. Had it repaired once but only worked properly for two weeks. Still love the car!
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