- Kia Sportage
Infobox Automobile
name=Kia Sportage
manufacturer=Kia Motors
parent_company=Hyundai Kia Automotive Group
production=1995–2003
2005–present
class=Mini SUV (1995-2002)
Compactcrossover SUV (2005-present)
transmission=4-speed automatic
5-speed manualThe Kia Sportage is a compact
crossover SUV built by theKorea nautomaker Kia Motors since 1995. Originally, it was amini SUV , but the second generation Sportage has grown in size to become a compactcrossover SUV .First generation (1993-2002)
Infobox Automobile generation
name=First generation
production=1995-2003
engine=2.0L Convert|130|hp|kW|0|abbr=on I4
wheelbase=2-Door: Auto in|92.9|0
1995-96 4-Door: Auto in|104.4|0
1997-2002 4-Door: Auto in|104.3|0
length=1995-97 4-Door: Auto in|159.4|0
1998-2000 4-Door: Auto in|167.1|0
2-Door: Auto in|156.4|0
2001-02 4-Door: Auto in|107.3|0
width=1995-97 4-Door: Auto in|68.2|0
2-Door & 1997-2002 4-Door: Auto in|68.1|0
layout=Front-engine,rear-wheel drive /Four-wheel drive
height= Auto in|65.0|0
related=Mazda Bongo
assembly=Hwasung ,Korea The first generation Sportage was amini SUV developed with a Lotus engineering base platform.Sportage was sold in either a four-door or a two-door soft-top
convertible . The first-generation Sportage was discontinued inNorth America for 2002 and worldwide for 2003 and put on hiatus until a second generation model was ready. The four-door model measures just a quarter of one inch longer and the same width as theGeo Tracker , but boasts 140 hp (108 kW) and optionalfour wheel drive . The 1998 Kia Sportage was the world's first production vehicle to be equipped with a kneeairbag . This first generation model (1995-2002) sold in low numbers even domestically inSouth Korea , however, and was recalled twice for rear wheels dismounting while driving.From 1995, the Sportage was built in
Germany andEurope an buyers only received German-built versions, while the rest of the world received Korean-built versions.econd generation (2005–present)
Infobox Automobile generation
name=Second generation
production=2005–present
engine=2.0 LDiesel , 2.0L I4, 2.7LV6
wheelbase=Auto in|103.5|0
layout=Front-engine,front-wheel drive /Four-wheel drive
length=Auto in|171.3|0
related=Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Tucson Kia Spectra
width= 2005-08: Auto in|70.9|0
2007-08 4WD (Europe): Auto mm|1840|1
2007-08 2WD (Europe): Auto mm|1800|1
height= Auto in|66.7|0
2007-08 (Europe): Auto mm|1730|1
assembly=Gwangju ,South Korea After a 2-year hiatus, the 2005 Sportage returned, sharing its Elantra-based platform with the 2005Hyundai Tucson . As part of the shift, theKia Sorento now becomes Kia's compact off-road SUV, and the Sportage moves to become Kia's firstcrossover SUV . The Sportage will also have a 2.0 L I4Diesel engine available in theUnited Kingdom . Pricing starts at just over US$16,000. Critics and fans of the original, pre-Hyundai Sportage complain that it is considerably larger than the original Sportage and has none of the earlier offroad capability, the two keys for its success. However, buyers of the second generation model are likely to favor the available Convert|173|hp|kW|0|abbr=onV6 , with 178 pounds of torque (241 N·m). The ride is considerably more comfortable, quiet and fun. Overall fit/finish and quality is noticeably improved over the 1st generation model.Facelift model of the second generation was introduced in May 2008.External links
* [http://www.sportagedrivers.com SportageDrivers.com: A Kia Sportage Community & Forum]
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