1996 Kia Sportage Review
1996 Kia Sportage Review
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What’s new
The world's first knee airbag arrives in conjunction with a driver airbag, and a two-wheel-drive edition is available this year. A spirited twin-cam engine arrived late in 1995, and cured Sportage's power ills.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$227/mo for Sportage EX
Sportage EX
vs
$184/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, currently available only in four-door style but soon to be joined by a two-door model with a removable roof, 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, alloy wheels, tinted glass, split-folding seats, a remote fuel door release, power mirrors and a rear defroster. The EX adds power door locks, cruise control, rear wiper and a remote liftgate release. Optional are a roof rack, a spare tire carrier, air conditioning, premium stereo, 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 Hot Wheels 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 Suzuki Sidekick four-door we recently drove.
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. Without the optional spare tire carrier, the cargo area is downright tiny.
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 EX topping out at around $20,000, we think they've got little to worry about.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Kia Sportage.
5 star(30%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(20%)
1 star(0%)
20 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
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.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Great small SUV
ree, 09/08/2002
1996 Kia Sportage 4dr SUV
This is a great car for anyone who
wants to graduate to an SUV, but
doesn't want the expense or very low
fuel economy of a bigger SUV. This is
a comfortable, reliable vehicle. With
scheduled maintanence (oil changes,
tire rotation, belts, hoses and
filters), this car needs nothing but
gas!
3.75 out of 5 stars
Pros and Cons
Troy, 06/03/2008
1996 Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
I have a 96 Kia Sportage and The Kia is good in most cases until it breaks down. For the do it your self mechanic there is NO shop manual avalable, Because KIA wants you to bring the car to them. I am currently having to replace water pump, timing, and work on lifters without a shop manual. Hoping i can find all the timing and torque specs i need. I hope in the future Kia allows a shop … manual and more after market parts for the do it yourself mechanic. Hopefully after i am done i can get better fuel mileage.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Fun Versatile Runabout/SUV
dirtroaddave, 05/29/2003
1995 Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
Considering the low price I paid new for
this vehicle it has been great value as
well as comfortable convenient and fun
to drive. I like the interior layout
which is more like a car than a truck
and the higher seat position is perfect
for me not too high like many trucks or
too low like all cars. It's ideal for a
single person or couple plus gear to go
and explore the great … american west.
Gets reasonable highway mileage but can
go anywhere.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Kia Sportage, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sportage since its last redesign.
1996 Sportage Highlights
EX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $227/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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