2008 Kia Sportage Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
19 - 22 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(27 Total Reviews)
Don't buy a Kia Sportage
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I own a 2008 Kia Sportage EX which my daughter got into an accident with. The front end had damage and the engine needed to be replaced because the liguids were drained from the vehicle after the accident and the engine got ruined. Kia replaced the engine and the engine light kept coming on. After returning the vehicle again they have now replaced it with its 3rd engine and there is still the same low compression in the #2 cylinder. Kia cannot figure out what is wrong with these engines, so they have sent a Kia representative to the dealership to try to find out. I believe Kia is supplying faulty engines for replacement. How can the same thing be happening to this car for the 3rd time?
Favorite Features
Plenty of leg room and its comfortable to drive.
Suggested Improvements
The arm rest is not in the correct position and its uncomfortable.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Sportage
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
Have had Kia Sportage 2 months. Have tried competitors and $ for $ cant beat value. Have an Amanti (2nd one) and as for value/comfort for $$ compares to the best of them. Not small guy was going to get Cadillac but not enough difference to make the addl $$ worth it.
Favorite Features
Style and interior cabin room
Suggested Improvements
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
better deal than gm
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
My sportage was a leftover 2008 and i bought it feb 2009 i was very happy with the warranty and the rebate of 4000 .i will never go back to gm after owning a kia.it handles good on the road ,and in the snow and ice.only complaint i have is that the front seats need to have arm rest.
Favorite Features
favorite features are the sterio,the sport shifter,and the 4 wheel drive.also the price
Suggested Improvements
arm rest in the front seats a gps
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
Crazy about my KIA
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I wanted a midsize SUV after always having sedans, but wanted something good on gas, and a good warranty. I am SO HAPPY with this car! We can't believe how much we can fit in it, and will never have to ask friends to pick up large items for us that we can't fit in our car. My husband who drives a Cougar, says he doesn't like sitting up so high, but I can see better over snowpiles. Yet anytime we both go anywhere, he wants to drive my KIA! I must say, I am really impressed with this vehicle. I average about 19-20mpg city, 23-24Hwy. So far, not one problem with anything. I drove a Ford Escape, Jeep Patriot, Saturn Vue; all felt like riding in a truck! My KIA has a nice soft ride.
Favorite Features
Fantastic ride, soft like a car; loads of storage; CD player; body style looks great; great warranty and roadside assistance, feel very safe with 6 airbags; very quiet; decent gas mileage; so fun to drive
Suggested Improvements
Give it a "real" horn; (my husband's only complaint) and put keyless entry on all models, not just an option you pay extra for. For women, this is a safety issue. I had it installed on mine.
11 out 11 people found this review helpful
A Competitive vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
This vehicle was 50 percent of the time used in very harsh, snowy, hilly and icy winter conditions of northern canada for the last 15 months. It performed mainly at low speed, backcountry road and also some highway conditions max speed 90 km/hour. Fuel consumption was normal under those conditions and was 12,63 litres/ km. Engine starts easily even under - 30 degrees celtius. Overall performance was more than more acceptable. Overall quality and handling was excellent. The engine performance improve sharply and significanly after 5000 miles. Breaks, ABS and ECS systems are excellent. Car suspension is optimum and bumps are absorbed easily.
Favorite Features
Radio is excellent, ABA, brake, ECS, Small turn radius, handling, suspension, driving visibility rear, side and back.
Suggested Improvements
Totally lacks of steel plate protection under car, Quality of interior plastics, seems too hard, suspension make noise under very low temperature( Was easily corrected by KIA dealer, dust deflector are not anough flexible to resist snow and low temperarture( 2 broken). Same for under fender.
8 out 8 people found this review helpful
Kia Sportage 2008
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
The Sportage offers a great deal for the right price. Purchased through the "Same as Kia employee program" offered by the dealership. Sticker at 22100 and paid 16400. The truck rides very well for a SUV. The braking is excellant and the steering is very responsive. Noise is limited, but rear tire noise from buzzing down the road could be annoying at times. The heat and air con work very well, has a airflow filter and the fan has great airflow if desired. I don't think the seats would be very comfortable on long trips. The back seats especially. The seats seem very stiff but are ok on the back. The warranty is unsurpassed. See if your Ford or honda offer that! Needs higher center armrest.
Favorite Features
Anti-lock brakes, Stability control,Traction control, Warranty,Safety rating,The detail in design and craftmanship inside and out. Look closely at the design of other suvs and compare. Doesn't have the muffler on display like a hood ornament like other models. Best is that isn't anything like a FORD
Suggested Improvements
Raise the center armrest. Improve the seating. Quiet the rear tire hum noise.
17 out 17 people found this review helpful
Truly Understated All-Around Roadster
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
As i was trying to find a better off or on-road veh to own this early 2009, i end up looking at the 2008 Sportage model. A lot of disappointing feedbacks causing me to wonder how true these feedbacks really was. i drove two brand new units in the past from toyota and Volks. But i made a test on this one. God It's understated 1000x!! The 5 speed manual can climb any dune and boost 195kph in few seconds... who tells its a slow starter? Only at 200+ plus a buzzing sound seems noticeable. braking is great too. In cornering u must slow- down. Space is too good for my field projects with many small equipment and computers. Very dependable. Cute everyone love its curves. Im just too happy for it.
Favorite Features
Milleage? it ran 450 km using less 1/3 full-tank (riyadh to Dam.) Tell me is there any car better milg than that costing me 18SAR /5US$? Speed at 195 is unbelievably smooth. i will challenge any one to ride with me. Now at 1700 i spent 32SAR with perfect comfort.sori cant accept neg comment bout mlg
Suggested Improvements
arm rest, stronger horn, a sound will improve keyless entries. a fog light must be a standard in M.E. for safety reason. Please. CD mp3 should be standard too.
8 out 10 people found this review helpful
Don't buy a Kia Sportage LX 2008
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Don't buy one at all! I have asthma, and the airflow system is so bad, that every time I pass a vehicle with a bad exhaust system, all that polluted air comes into my vehicle, and I get an attack. Whenever it rains or there is an ice-storm, the elements pile up inside the rim of the door jamb, and this increases the possibility of the vehicle rusting. It is a spacious vehicle, but I would never recommend anyone buy this model. The ABS system is horrible. Don't even think about braking! It was my first experience with such a system, and I had to go to the dealership about 3 times, before I realized that this is what I have to deal with until I sell this vehicle.
Favorite Features
Spacious inside; stereo system is great (if you're not looking for a boom-box). The TPMS lets you know when your tires need air (especially during the winter time).
Suggested Improvements
The ABS system is horrible; the air inflow system is not healthy at all for those with asthma or other breathing problems. If you enjoy driving a vehicle with frozen feet, get this vehicle -- the floor heating elements are worthless! I'd rather ride my bike any time.
6 out 32 people found this review helpful
Great Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
My past 4 SUVs have been Jeeps. After my last experience, I decided to look elsewhere. I was about to purchase a Honda CR-V and decided to look at the Kia first. I loved the car so much, that I purchased it that night. The Kia Sportage was $7000 less than the CR-V and the 10 year/100,000 mile bumper to bumper $0 deductible warranty sealed the deal.
Favorite Features
My Kia goes great in the snow. The exterior design is sporty and the interior is comfortable with a lot of leg room. I love it!
Suggested Improvements
It definitely could use an armrest and the horn is a little wimpy. The gas mileage isn't that great but I knew that when I bought it.
6 out 6 people found this review helpful
Love My 2008 KIA
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
Bought new at end of Dec 2008. First brand new car. This car is great, interior room, style, gas is good. Gets about 25 mpg. Not having the problems some are having. Guess they got the defective models. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have driven. I am very pleased with my car. No major complaints
Favorite Features
Rear wipers, heat and air controls (really blows), interior room, curve handling, styling (cute SUV). I love it all!
Suggested Improvements
Arm rest, remote lock, MP3 jacks should be standard.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Kia Sportage
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