Overview

The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV, available in front- or all-wheel drive (FWD or AWD), first introduced to the United States in 1995. For 2011, the Sportage has been extensively redesigned, with somewhat sharper lines and a different drivetrain.

The 2011 Kia Sportage's base trim features 16-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power windows and locks, 6-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Sportage LX trim adds keyless entry and upgrades the mirrors and windows. The Sportage EX trim level steps up to 18-inch wheels, fog lights, power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear spoiler, LED running lights, and more. An upgraded sound system is optional; so is a voice-activated navigation system bundled with a rearview camera. Available only on the Sportage EX trim is a Premium package that includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, rear parking sensors, a cover for the rear cargo area, and various other upgrades. The new Sportage provides 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats; with rear seats folded flat, total cargo space amounts to 54.6 cubic feet, according to Kia.

The 2011 Kia Sportage's standard power plant is a 176-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with FWD, according to the EPA. It works with a 6-speed manual transmission on the base model, or with a 6-speed automatic on the upper trims. An optional turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine will be available on an additional trim, the SX, later in the model year.

Standard safety features on the 2011 Kia Sportage include anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, front side air bags, and side curtain air bags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2011 Sportage highest-possible "Good" ratings in frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.

Depending on trim level, starting MSRPs for the 2011 Kia Sportage ranged from $18,295 to $27,295.