2002 Kia Sportage Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

For young families and active singles who want to get into 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, convertible body style.

Cons

Anemic engine, cheap interior materials, limited rear seat and cargo room.

What's New for 2002

The Sportage is now in its eighth model year, so to help move its aged sport-ute along, Kia will offer the four-doors in just one trim level (eliminating the EX and Limited trim models) with more standard feature content than before, though you can no longer get leather upholstery. All Sportages are equipped with body-color door handles and an exterior latch on the rear hatch to ease loading cargo. A Two-Tone Package is available for hardtops; this option group contains two-tone cladding, bumpers and fenders and a cladding-color roof rack and hard-face spare tire cover. In addition, Kia has expanded the standard list of safety features to include seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters for the airbags. Finally, interested buyers should note that the Sportage will be going on hiatus for the 2003 model year (to make room for production of the new midsize '03 Sorento); a completely redesigned version (likely with unibody construction) is expected to return in the fall of 2003 as an '04 model.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Great First Car

Written by: Elizabeth on 07/22/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	6	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	9

Vehicle

2002 Kia Sportage 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I absolutely love my Kia. It was my first car. I chose it because it could fit everything I owned inside of it. Not only did it haul me down to Georgia from Ohio but then moved all of my stuff to Florida a few months later. It also made the move to Dallas and back wonderfully. I consistently take it on long trips and it has never given me any trouble. It's a comfortable ride and gets great mileage on the highway. Of the 2 problems I have had the 1st (cracked master cylinder) was under warranty and the 2nd (fluid in the brakes) was my fault. I didn't use the 4WD enough in the florida climate and hoses disintegrated. The dealer told me, but I decided not to fix it and it caused the brakes.

Favorite Features

Full size spare (has come in handy), lots of space (for a small SUV), roof rack, turning radius, stubby rear makes it easy to parallel park and fuel economy.

Suggested Improvements

It could always use a little extra power and the cup holders block the AC vents which are also aimed poorly. You have to do this funny sideways lean. I also wish the back seats folded flush with the floor (which they do in newer models). Can't wait to get a newer one!

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My first Kia

Written by: C.Knill on 03/12/2009


Performance:	4	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	5
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

I wanted a 4x4 bought it used then it cost me $1800 to get the front wheels to work properly.Serviced at the dealship and was treated like royalty. I LOVE the fact its full frame and not a unibody!!! ABS and brake warning light come on stay on till shut down and restart for no reason. Low power but hey 4cyl and 4x4 dont mix LOL. Made its way through 4 feet of snow last winter and numerous flooded streets this spring!!Rugged little beasty...I'm happy with it.

I like the simplicity of the 4x4 selector...even my wife had it figured out first time driving it. (sorry ladies) well laid out dash easy to read. Full frame how cool is that!

Took it mudding and got stuck...beef up the power plant!!! Sound system needs to be located higher and the cup holders lower...ashtray should be optional.

2002 with 152,000 & still going

Written by: Mike on 06/03/2008


Performance:	5	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	9

Very well put together car. Blew timing belt at 120,000, so small stuff also, nothing major. I intend to buy another Kia next year and hope it's as good as this one. No more 4 cylinders, no power and gas mileage is nothing to crow about. I liked the interior design, but the slide out drink tray has broke 3 times, all the lower flap coming off. Still, I would recommend this car to anyone. I sold and was a service director in chicagoland dealerships for 27 years. This was as good as any Chevy or Dodge that I had as a demo. Oh yes, I still have original rear brakes and they are like new. I am on my 3rd front set, which I think is a normal amount. Like I said. Great car!

Interior design, little compartments and a very tight turning radius.

Dump the 4 cylinder.

Do NOT buy if you drive in rain or snow

Written by: Lori on 05/20/2008


Performance:	1	Fun-to-Drive:	5	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	2	Interior Design:	3	Reliability:	4
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	3

2002 Kia Sportage 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

It's a 4x4, bt extremely dangerous to drive in rain or snow, doing below speed limit. The backend slides out constantly, regardless of having new tires because of it being a light weight vehicle. When problems arose w/ an oil leak, the dealer blamed express lube. I was given an attitude by the dealer. They were very expensive. When 4x4 wasn't working, th car was in shop for 3 days, returned unfixed and had to drop it back off for 3 mere days! I replaced the fan belts, alternator and starter. Another annoying fact, it would gt stuck in reverse all the time. I would have to roll a little in reverse, then put in drve for it to go forward from a parked position. It was very noisy w/ the soft top. Catalytic converter smelled going uphill, dlr sd normal

None

It nds to be built mre sturdy w/ more weight to it and be able to withstand driving in rain and snow w/out sliding out in the back end. Renovate the trans. so it's nt gtting stuck in rvrse cnstntly. Rebuild catalitic cnverter that cnstntly smells whn drving uphill. Pls see above prblms in review box

Awesome 4x4

Written by: georgia_bunny69 on 05/10/2008


Performance:	7	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

I love my kia sportage 4x4, its small on the outside, but has way more room than you would expect inside. And the 4x4 has gotten me out of some tough spots. I took it through a creek with the tail pipe submerged in three feet of water, and my truck never once cut out or stalled.

the layout of the truck and the room.

2002 Kia Sportage Consumer Ratings & Reviews