Driving Impressions

The 2006 Kia Sportage provides a carlike ride while returning relatively sporty handling on par with that of most peers. Should you push too hard through a corner, the standard stability and traction control system will intervene to keep you headed in the right direction. Additionally, the Sportage's four-wheel independent suspension system helps smooth bumps without the jittery feel typical of many SUVs. Power from the standard four-cylinder is barely adequate, so we recommend you stick with the larger 2.7-liter V6. The four-speed automatic isn't quite as smooth as the five-speed unit in the CR-V or RAV-4, but it always manages to keep the V6 right in its power band.

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    Modern and Tech-Inspired Interior
    Moving inside, the feeling of spaciousness is all the more evident, and with both five- and seven-passenger seating configurations, Kia Sorento is now more versatile than ever. With 142.5 cubic fe ...

    Automatic climate control system
    1. Temperature control knob 2. A/C display 3. Fan speed control knob 4. AUTO (automatic control) button 5. Mode selection button 6. Air conditioning button 7. Front windshield defrost button ...

    Interior light
    CAUTION: Do not use the interior lights for extended periods when the engine is not running. It may cause battery discharge. Map lamp • : Push the switch to turn the map lamp on or off. Th ...