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Buzzwords have become the crutch of every marketing department in the automotive industry. During the introduction of the 2005 Kia Sportage, the manufacturer's reps used the term "DNA" so many times it sounded like closing arguments in the Scott Peterson trial.
They were making the case that although the Sportage shares its engines, transmissions, chassis, dimensions and other minor details with the Hyundai Tucson, it's still a uniquely Kia vehicle.
Yeah, and Scott just liked to fish.
Less Money, More Stuff
Apart from obvious similarities to its corporate cousin, the Kia Sportage is a competent mini SUV, but in today's cutthroat market every vehicle needs a hook. In the case of the Sportage, it's price. Just ask Phil Kelley, Kia's VP of sales. "The Sportage has a positive value proposition," he told us. "With its unexpected value, safety and style, it enables self-confident 'SUV Club' aspirers to get more out of life."
The base price is $15,900, but that's for the stripper 2WD base model that would barely qualify for rental fleet duty. Add 4WD, a reasonable amount of features and the optional V6 engine and the Sportage comes in at just under $20,000. Deck it out in top-of-the-line EX trim and the Sportage tops out at $21,400, which is still a couple grand less than a similarly equipped Honda CR-V, Ford Escape or Hyundai Tucson.
Two engines are available: a 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower inline four-cylinder and a 2.7-liter, 173-hp V6. The V6 comes with a four-speed automatic only, while four-cylinder models can be equipped with a five-speed manual or the automatic.
The base LX model comes with basic stuff like power windows, locks and mirrors and a CD player. Move up to the EX and you get keyless entry, an upgraded stereo, a rear cargo cover and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Leather seats can be added as well, or you can go with the luxury package that combines leather with heated seats, automatic headlights and a premium audio system with a six-disc CD changer.
An even stronger selling point for the Sportage is its array of standard safety features. Every level of trim comes with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control, six airbags (front, side seat-mounted and side curtain) and stability control. Most vehicles in this class don't offer these items at all, let alone as standard equipment.
Less Tough, More Comfort
A few hours in the Kia Sportage and the popularity of such vehicles isn't hard to understand. The Sportage is easy to get into, easy to see out of and feels instantly familiar.
The front seats remain comfortable after several hours and the thick side bolsters — a rarity in this class — give you something to lean against in the turns. In back, the Sportage has more head-, leg- and hip room than an Escape. Its seats fold completely flat in one motion, opening up an evil 66.6 cubic feet of cargo room, an average amount for the class.
The dash features recessed gauges that are plain but easy to read, and simple climate and radio controls, which could feel more substantial. Higher-line models use metallic accents to liven up the cabin, but this trim just makes the grainy plastic next to it look that much worse.
We drove V6-powered models and came away impressed with the engine's refinement but disappointed with its power. With several other V6s in this class topping 200 hp, the Sportage feels sluggish in comparison. The automatic transmission knows what you want most of the time, and there's a manual-shift gate if you think you can do better.
Unlike most mini-utes that try to isolate you from the road, the Sportage rides a little firmer, with reasonably tight steering and moderate body roll. It's not sporty, but if that's what you're looking for, you're in the wrong category to begin with. Road and wind noise are also kept to a minimum, so the cabin is quiet even if it's bouncing around.
Unlike the original Sportage that used rugged body-on-frame construction and a two-speed four-wheel-drive system, the '05 model rides on a unibody chassis with a fully independent suspension and all-wheel drive. Standard traction control and a push-button center differential lock give it some measure of off-road ability, but like most mini-utes the Sportage wasn't designed for the dirt.
What's In a Name?
If you're a brand snob or need low-range gearing, the second-generation Sportage isn't going to cut it. The transfer case is gone and that Kia badge isn't getting any smaller. But if you value a long warranty, the latest safety equipment, plenty of features and a decent price, Kia now has a truck you will like. Turns out the Kia Sportage does have the right DNA, and the right value proposition.
Used 2005 Kia Sportage listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2005 Kia Sportages for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 432 used and CPO 2005 Sportages listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 5,462 and mileage as low as 22,032. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2005 Kia Sportage. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2005 Sportage available from one of 2,634 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2005 Kia Sportage ?
Save up to $300 on one of 7 used 2005 Kia Sportages for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $5462 as of Apr 20, 2018, based on data from 7 dealers and 13 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1.7 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2005 Kia Sportage trim styles:
The used 2005 Kia Sportage EX is priced around $5462 with average odometer reading of 111593 miles.
The used 2005 Kia Sportage LX is priced around $11995 with average odometer reading of 70558 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2005 Kia Sportage?
Available Kia Sportage 2005 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Kia Sportage 2005 Trims: SX, LX, Base, EX
Exterior Colors: Black Cherry, Mineral Silver , Sparkling Silver, Pacific Blue, Hyper Red, Twilight Blue, Burnished Copper, Snow White Pearl, Bright Silver, Signal Red, Sand Track, Sage Green, Smokey Brown, Steel Silver, Royal Jade Green, Smart Blue, Volcanic Red, Champagne Metallic, Clear White, Natural Olive, Satin Silver, Silver, Verdant Green
Interior Colors: Black leather, Black cloth, Black premium cloth, Alpine Gray cloth, Gray leather, Gray premium cloth, Gray cloth, Beige cloth, Alpine Gray leather, Alpine Gray premium cloth, Beige leather, Beige, Black, Gray
Popular Features: Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, USB Inputs, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Bluetooth, Back-up camera, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Heated seats, Power Driver Seat, Leather Seats, Keyless Entry/Start, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Blind Spot Monitoring, Post-collision safety system, Parking sensors, Cooled Seats, Navigation, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Upgraded Headlights, Upgraded Stereo, Remote Start, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, AWD/4WD, Towing Hitch, Alarm, Sunroof/Moonroof, Trip Computer
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 4 cylinders
Transmission: MANUAL, AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: four wheel drive, all wheel drive, front wheel drive, rear wheel drive
Used 2005 Kia Sportage Overview
The used 2005 Kia Sportage is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include LX AWD 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A), LX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A), and LX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A). Pre-owned Sportage models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2005 Sportage comes with all wheel drive or front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed shiftable automatic.
