Used 2002 Kia Sportage Consumer Reviews
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Got My Money's Worth!
prissy, 11/13/2010
2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
Bought this suv only for the fuel mileage. My job required traveling and I live on the road. This car has surpassed my expectations on fuel savings and other than changing the oil & routine servicing, it hasn't cost me one penny! When I purchased it, it had 22k miles & now I'm just over 113k miles. This is a lightweight suv and I found it odd to be rear-wheel drive. It isn't a luxury vehicle but I didn't buy it thinking it was. It's been a great vehicle and has saved me lots in gas and was easy to own. Low auto insurance, maintenance and property taxes. Not a great ride for long trips but if gas consumption is your concern - look no further!
great friend for almost 14 years
M Allen, 12/21/2015
updated 06/30/2016
2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
My only complaints were 'cosmetic' interior, such as: cup holder is above and so blocking radio, clock and climate control. My grand daughter loved it because with the stadium back seat she could see out easily. One thing I wish I had checked before buying is how back seats fold up to enlarge cargo space. Since they fold up against the front seats at least 8 possible inches are lost. I bought it to be my ridge runner when living in Big Sur, which it was 'excellent' for size-wise and 4x4, and its safety features, structurally better than other baby SUVs of the period, as it is a small truck frame and drives like a small truck; has cross beams in the doors and an extra air bag for driver's knees. I never had to do anything except regular maintenance, as the only major thing that ever went wrong was shortly after I bought it and warrantee totally covered it. It has been rear ended 3 times, progressively worse each time, and fully repaired the first 2 times. This last time hit and run while it was parked, at a speed high enough to throw it about 20 feet forward, frame was bent in back, but was still totally drivable and seemed structurally sound except for the smashed rear lift door and spare tire. I let it go so its heart could be transplanted into another, but I miss it terribly. I was the only owner and was quite happy with it, regardless of the cosmetic interior complaints. I would highly recommend this car, especially if you have a need to run ridges.
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Cheap, Fun 4x4
aleksg, 04/27/2014
2002 Kia Sportage 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
23 of 26 people found this review helpful
I bought my Sportage for 350 dollars, so I wasn't expecting perfection. It has 228k km on the clock, and the manual transmission is noisy, the synchros are worn, so it shifts hard when cold, but still works. All of the door handles were loose or broken when I got mine, but these problems are easy to fix for a weekend warrior because the door panels are a cinch to remove. The window switches are a common problem, but also very easy to fix. Basically this is a car you can buy for REAL cheap from someone who doesn't know how to fix small problems. Then you fix them yourself and boom, perfectly good car.
Still going strong !
Bruce Drury, 02/14/2019
updated 11/13/2023
2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought it used with 23000 miles on it, in 2003...this car has been a work horse, from being filled with bricks and other building materials, being a plumber, on more than one occasion I have unboxed 40 gallon water heaters, and fit it in the back, look at the vehicle, and a 40 gallon water heater...no way, YES WAY! I am a rock drummer, and have a seven piece set, and that's drums alone, not to mention stands, cymbal bags, etc. I can fit the entire set in the car, easy, my wife calls it the magic car, holds everything, and parks on a dime...I have had some extensiv,e repairs on it, but not too bad, new radiator,exhaust manifold,starter,timing belt, etc. Well worth it ! I now have 149000 miles on her, and still running smooth....and I must add, I drove from California to Florida, pulling a trailer that was a few hundred pounds over the recommended weight, but I drive conservatively. and she made it fine, no problems...I understand the newer Sportages are even better, and when the time comes, that's what I will check out first! 2020 now, just an addition here, I moved from Florida to Tennessee a month ago, again with a LOADED trailer, she made it with no problem,and has 154000 miles on her now...still going strong!!! It is now April 2021, still going, got 1 issue, the wiper spray motor died, will replace...did a transmission fluid replacement, oil change, and it's still kicking !!A few minor maintenance repairs, not much else, still going! 11/09/22... Still going, had to get the brake master cylinder and brake booster replaced, $800 worth, was a surprise cuz altho I knew I was leaking a little, I figured a new master cylinder, but a brake booster? Never heard of it, but I saw it, and I'm glad I didn't attempt this, as a plumber, when I hear " already took it apart for ya", I cringe, cuz it's not gonna be good...anyway, mileage now at167000, still going!! OK, now things are going down a bit...power for all passenger side windows out, stereo died, rear windshield washer is gone, but all around it's running good, still a pleasure to drive,best car I ever had...
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VALUE
Ken, 09/08/2016
2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Owning a car is all about value. Do you get your moneys' worth? My 2002 Sportage passes in all areas. Bought because my wife thought it was "cute". Kept it for 15 years and 150,000 mi. because it was very cheap to maintain. Will keep to see how much further it will go. If it falls apart today, then I got my moneys' worth. Great, (not perfect, but what is?) little car.
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