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.

    See also:

    Parking brake
    Checking the parking brake Type A Check whether the stroke is within specification when the parking brake pedal is depressed with 20 kg (44 lb, 196N) of force. Also, the parking brake alone sh ...

    Trailer Towing
    If you are considering towing with with your car, you should first check with your country’s Department of Motor Vehicles to determine their legal requirements. Since laws vary from province to ...

    Safeguarding occupants to maximise protection
    If an accident is unavoidable, new Kia cee'd is engineered to safeguard the occupants with a robust bodyshell and a range of passive safety measures to offer its occupants maximum possible protect ...