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:
Battery
For best battery service
• Keep the battery securely mounted.
• Keep the battery top clean and dry.
• Keep the terminals and connections
clean, tight, and coated with petroleum
jelly or t ...
A COMFORTABLE AND SOFT RIDE (TOO SOFT)
Behind the wheel of the new Optima it’s easy to point out several more faults
– although there are certainly some positive aspects to the driving experience
as well.
On the down-size, the ca ...
Using four-wheel drive
Driving on snow- or Ice-covered
roads (“4WD LOCK” for
full-time 4WD operation)
• Use snow tires. See “Tires” in this
section for more information.
• Keep an adequate distance
between ...


