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:

    Customer choice of advanced drivetrains with 2WD and AWD
    Depending on individual markets, consumers ordering a new Kia Sportage will be able to select from five models with 2WD and four with AWD - employing advanced drivetrain systems similar to those i ...

    Winter driving
    More severe weather conditions of winter result in greater wear and other problems. To minimize winter driving problem, you should follow these suggestions: Snowy or icy conditions To drive you ...

    Air bags-supplemental restraint system
    (1) Driver’s air bag (2) Front passenger’s air bag (3) Side air bag* (4) Curtain air bag* (5) SRS Control Module (6) Side impact sensor* (7) Front impact sensor * : if equip ...