Interior Design and Special Features

The Sportage features a functional, roomy and attractive interior. Both the materials and build quality are very good, especially for this price point. The rear-seat design makes hauling a large amount of cargo a breeze -- it folds and lowers into the footwell, making for a flat load floor, and removing the head restraints isn't required. Thusly configured, the Sportage offers 67 cubic feet of cargo capacity, a respectable figure for this class.

Driving Impressions

On the road, the 2008 Kia Sportage provides a carlike ride and relatively sporty handling that makes it a little more fun to drive than many other compact SUVs. It's capable of being both a good city runabout and a long-distance highway cruiser. Power from the standard four-cylinder is barely adequate, so we recommend you opt for the V6. The four-speed automatic isn't quite as smooth as the five-speed units offered by competitors, but it's alert enough to usually keep the V6 right in its power band.

    See also:

    Tires and wheels
    Tires care For proper maintenance, safety, and maximum fuel economy, you must always maintain recommended tire inflation pressures and stay within the load limits and weight distribution recomme ...

    Hood
    Opening the hood 1. Pull the release lever to unlatch the hood. The hood should pop open slightly. 2. Go to the front of the vehicle, raise the hood slightly, pull the secondary latch (1) in ...

    Engine coolant
    The high-pressure cooling system has a reservoir filled with year round antifreeze coolant. The reservoir is filled at the factory. Check the antifreeze protection and coolant level at least once ...