2002 Kia Sportage Review
2002 Kia Sportage Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
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
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.
Edmunds 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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 2dr Convertible SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A) 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 $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$236/mo for Sportage Base
Sportage Base
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Vehicle overview
Designed from the ground up to be a real truck and not some hopped-up, car-based mini-SUV, the Sportage sports tough ladder-frame construction, shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive, and a Mazda-based 2.0-liter, 16-valve engine that makes a rather meager 130 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. A standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic makes sure as much of that power reaches the rear or all four wheels as possible.
The Sportage comes in two body styles, a two-door soft-top convertible and a four-door hardtop, with either 2WD or 4WD. For 2002, Kia will offer both body styles in just one trim level, meaning that hardtop buyers can no longer choose between base, EX and Limited trim. That's OK, because the standard hardtop now comes with more features, including air conditioning, alloy wheels, privacy glass and an upgraded audio system. The leather upholstery option (formerly included in the Limited package) has been deleted.
Convertibles are a bit more sparely equipped than the four-doors, but you still get lumbar adjustment for the driver, a tilt steering wheel, a full-size spare tire and power windows, mirrors and door locks. Air conditioning, alloy wheels and a stereo with a cassette or CD player are available as options. You can option any Sportage with four-wheel ABS, cruise control and keyless entry.
In spite of its generous equipment list, interior materials are not the Sportage's strong suit. The quality of the Kia's headliner, dash panel and seat fabric falls well below that of competitors like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Xterra and Toyota RAV4. But none of those SUVs can boast of a driver knee airbag (in addition to the requisite front airbags), which comes with every Sportage.
The Sportage looks rugged yet cute, perfect for family duty in the suburbs or a jaunt along the coastline. On the pavement, the sport-ute inspires confidence and is fun to drive. Lotus engineers worked wonders with its suspension, which includes a relatively sophisticated double-wishbone arrangement up front. Overall, the Kia feels stable and comfortable.
On off-road trails, the sport-ute's short, sloping hood allows excellent visibility for climbing or descending hills, and its suspension soaks up ruts and bumps without bottoming out thanks to 7.9 inches of ground clearance.
Seating positions are high and upright, and the user-friendly layout of the dashboard and most controls makes the Sportage easy to live with. Rear-seat riders get minimal legroom, but "stadium style" seating offers a clear view of the outside world. Cargo room behind the rear seat in hardtop models measures 25.8 cubic feet; with the back seat folded, capacity increases to 55.4.
This is the last year for the current Sportage, as it will take a year off to make room for production of the all-new midsize '03 Sorento. While still a decent vehicle even in its eighth year on the market (and worth consideration if you can get a great deal on one), its spare furnishings, meager power supply, "old-fashioned" body-on-frame construction are unlikely to appeal to those who can afford a CR-V or RAV4. A redesigned Sportage -- likely employing unibody construction for better on-road handling -- is expected for the 2004 model year.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Kia Sportage.
5 star(26%)
4 star(42%)
3 star(10%)
2 star(14%)
1 star(8%)
73 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
Got My Money's Worth!
prissy, 11/13/2010
2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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!
5 out of 5 stars
great friend for almost 14 years
M Allen, 12/21/2015
2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
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.
3.25 out of 5 stars
Cheap, Fun 4x4
aleksg, 04/27/2014
2002 Kia Sportage 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
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.
4 out of 5 stars
Still going strong !
Bruce Drury, 02/14/2019
2002 Kia Sportage 2WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
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...
2002 Sportage Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $14,645 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $236/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
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