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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Yes, One Trim Is Really Called the “ !”
Dealers will have four trim levels with which to lure the young and
impressionable—Soul, Soul+, Soul ! , and the top-of-the-line Soul Sport. “!” is
pronounced “exclaim,” although we’d ...
Acceleration and Power
All Rio and Rio5 models have a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 110
horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Rio sedan, and a
four-speed automatic is available for ...
Seating
The Rio can accommodate five passengers, but reviewers recommend that you
limit it to four since the rear seat can be a squeeze for adults. The front
seats may also be a tight fit for taller adult ...