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2008 Kia Sportage exterior.
The 2008 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle - enlargeComplete 2008 Kia Sportage New Car Reviews listed below
The 2008 Kia Sportage compact sport utility vehicle (MSRP: $16,675 - $23,520, Invoice price: $15,895 - $21,995) is available in LX (base) and LX trim levels. This model competes with the Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Nitro, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Mitsubishi Outlook, Nissan Rogue, Nissan Xterra, Saturn Vue, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan. The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built by the Korean automaker Kia Motors since 1995.1 Originally it was a mini SUV, but the second generation Sportage has grown in size to become a compact crossover SUV.2 It is assembled in Kwang-Ju, South Korea.
Available engines are a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter I4 engine (has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs.) and a 173-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 engine (has a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs.). Five-speed manual or four-speed shiftable automatic transmissions are available. The Sportage comes in front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions.
The 2008 Kia Sportage compact sport utility vehicle has a four-wheel independent suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, a MacPherson strut front suspension, and a multi-link rear suspension.
Exterior features include 16 x 6.5 inch alloy wheels, a temporary spare tire, a steel spare wheel, and an inside-mounted spare tire. The Kia Sportage SUV is also equipped with variable-intermittent wipers, a privacy glass, a roof rack, a rear defogger, and a rear window wiper. It has skid plates, a manual flip-up liftgate window, and a rear liftgate door. Instrumentation features include a tachometer, a clock, and low fuel level warning.
2008 Kia Sportage sport utility vehicle seats and trim features include a five-person total seating capacity, bucket front seats, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, and a fold flat passenger seat. In the rear, this SUV has a 40-60 split bench rear seat, a split-folding rear seatback, a folding center armrest, and reclining rear seats.
Convenience features for the Sportage SUV are speed-proportional power steering, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, and front and rear cupholders. Also available are front door pockets, power outlets (12V front, 12V rear and 12V cargo area), a front console with storage, and an overhead console with storage. Comfort features include front reading lights, dual vanity mirrors, and a cargo area light, while entertainment features are an AM/FM in-dash single CD player stereo, six total speakers, and a mast antenna.
The 2008 Kia Sportage sport utility vehicle has the following safety and security features: a four-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), ventilated front disc/solid rear disc brakes, traction control, stability control, and dual front side-mounted airbags. It is equipped with front and rear head airbags, passenger airbag occupant-sensing deactivation, front seatbelt pretensioners, and rear door child safety locks. This SUV has child seat anchors, a rear center three-point belt, two front and three rear height-adjustable headrests, and electronic brake-force distribution.
Additional/alternative features on the EX trim level include a power glass sunroof, a remote anti-theft alarm system, tire pressure monitoring, front fog/driving lights, and heated outside mirrors. Also available are a trip computer, MP3 capability for the CD player, keyless entry, a cargo net, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather trim on shift knob, and front and rear floor mats.
A safety and crash test report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that the 2008 Kia Sportage SUV received five stars out of five in frontal and side crash tests; and three stars out of five (FWD) and four stars out of five (4WD) in rollover tests.
A reliability history report from ConsumerReports.org showed how the Kia Sportage sport utility vehicle held up mechanically. The Kia Sportage received the following ratings for the year 2006 (major redesign year was 2005): Excellent ratings engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, exhaust, paint and trim, and audio, drive, fuel, and electrical systems trouble spots; Very Good ratings for its power equipment and squeaks and rattles trouble spots; and Good ratings for body hardware and climate system trouble spots.
Click here for more information on 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Kia Sportage car prices, auto insurance, auto loans, car dealers, and car leases.
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•2007 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
The 2007 Kia Sportage looks good, but the real treat is on the window sticker. It comes with a lot of standard equipment for a low price. Build quality is surprisingly good in the Kia Sportage. Panels like up precisely, and the interior materials feel like they’re designed to last.
•2005 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
For lead in box: Unlike many inexpensive SUVs, Kia's all-new Sportage doesn't resort to cheap styling gimmicks like plastic body panels and funky angles. It has a clean, simple shape that mimics high-end SUVs like the Acura MDX and Lexus RX series.
•2006 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
The small-class SUV by Kia emerged with a new design last year as a crossover wagon built on the front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform of a car with the versatile cabin of a wagon but the smooth ride quality of a compact sedan.
•2005 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Unlike many inexpensive SUVs, Kia's all-new Sportage doesn't resort to cheap styling gimmicks like plastic body panels and funky angles. It has a clean, simple shape that mimics high-end SUVs like the Acura MDX and Lexus RX series.
•2005 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Kia Motor America has come a long way, as both a company and a brand, since they first came to the U.S. to sell cars in 1991. They deserve to commended for their work.
•2005 Kia Sportage Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
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