| Year Make Model | 2011 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) |
| Vehicle Type | Four-door, five-passenger SUV |
| Base MSRP | $23,990 |
| Options on test vehicle | Navigation With Premium Audio ($1,500), Premium Package With Leather ($3,000). |
| As-tested MSRP | $28,490 |
| Assembly location | Hwasung, South Korea |
| North American parts content (%) | 1 |
| Configuration | Transverse, front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, port-injected gasoline inline-4 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,359/144 |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.5:1 |
| Redline, indicated (rpm) | 6,500 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 176 @ 6,000 (SULEV: 170 @ 6,000) |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 168 @ 4,000 (SULEV: 163 @ 4,000) |
| Fuel type | 87-octane recommended |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic |
| Transmission ratios (x:1) | I = 4.212, II = 2.637, III = 1.800, IV = 1.386, V = 1.000, VI = 0.772, R = 3.385 |
| Final-drive ratio (x:1) | 3.195 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric-assist, speed-proportional, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 15.9 |
| Tire make and model | Hankook Optimo H426 |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | 235/55R18 |
| Tire size, rear | 235/55R18 |
| Wheel size | 18 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 11-inch ventilated disc with single-piston sliding caliper |
| Brakes, rear | 10.3-inch solid disc with single-piston sliding caliper |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.5 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 6.1 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 9.5 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 14.5 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 17.1 @ 82.0 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 9.3 |
| 0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 3.5 |
| 0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 6.1 |
| 0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 9.2 |
| 0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 14.5 |
| 1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph) | 17.1 @ 81.9 |
| 0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 9.2 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 124 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 62.2 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON | 60.6 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.76 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON | 0.77 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 42.8 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 73.5 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 70.6 |
| Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm) | 2,100 |
| Acceleration comments | Virtually nothing to be gained by turning off traction control and using brake torque. Not enough power to make either work. Upshifts occur at redline and are rather smooth. |
| Braking comments | Some dive. Good initial bite, but the ABS cycle gets "chunky" and pulses obtrusively from about 40 mph to zero. Adequate fade resistance. Medium-soft pedal. |
| Handling comments | Fairly stubborn understeer with ESP off that is dealt with effectively with ESP on where it dabs a brake to make a better result. Confident handler at first, but grows less so as tires get greasy after a few runs. Likes to rotate off throttle, yet that ability has a limit. Steering feel is good, with good precision. Easy to place near cones. ESP on runs eliminate rotation, hence slower ultimate speed. |
| Test date | 8/3/2010 |
| Test location | California Speedway |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 80.8 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 33.8 |
| Barometric pressure (in. Hg) | 28.8 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2.2 mph headwind |
| Odometer (mi.) | 1,557 |
| Fuel used for test | 87-octane gasoline |
| As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi) | 33/33 |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 21.3 combined |
| Driving range (mi.) | 0 |
| iPod/digital media compatibility | Standard generic aux jack, USB input |
| Satellite radio | Standard Sirius |
| Bluetooth phone connectivity | Standard |
| Navigation system | Optional |
| Smart entry/Start | Optional ignition, doors |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,186 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,329 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 59/41 |
| Length (in.) | 174.8 |
| Width (in.) | 73.0 |
| Height (in.) | 64.4 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 103.9 |
| Track, front (in.) | 63.5 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 63.6 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 34.7 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.4 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 38.5 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.1 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 38.5 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 56.7 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 55.1 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Step-in height, measured (in.) | 18.9 |
| Max cargo volume behind 1st row (cu-ft) | 54.6 |
| behind 2nd row (cu-ft) | 26.1 |
| Cargo loading height, measured (in.) | 30.0 |
| Ground clearance (in.) | 6.8 |
| Approach angle (degrees) | 28.1 |
| Departure angle (degrees) | 28.2 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years/60,000 miles |
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