2010 Kia Sportage Review

The spunky 2010 Kia Sportage has competitors including the Chevrolet HHR and the Toyota RAV4 sweating bullets while trying to meet the value that it presents. Pricing starts in $16,995 for this tough, able compact SUV. It's loaded down with standard features that other vehicles in its class simply do not offer. It accommodates 5 adult passengers with high degrees of comfort, and it's easy on your pocketbook at the gas stations.

Power for the 2010 Sportage by Kia is derived from one of two engines: a 2.0L 140hp 136 lb-ft I4 or a 2.7L 173hp 178 lb-ft V6. V6 trims receive a 4-speed automatic transmission while the I4 engine-equipped models feature a 5-speed manual. All trims feature stock safety features including 4-wheel antilock braking, electronic traction control, 6 separate airbags, privacy glass, electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring. It has received double 5-star front and side crash test safety ratings from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Interior measurements of the 2010 Sportage Kia are surprisingly accommodating. 41 inches of headroom, 57 inches of shoulder room, 55 inches of hip room and 42.1 inches of legroom are offered for front passengers. Rear passengers are treated well, not scrunched in like in many other compact SUVs, and still enjoy 37.2 inches of legroom. On the outside, length, width and height measurements are reported at 171.3, 70.9 and 66.7 inches respective. There's also 23.6 cubic feet of luggage capacity that can be expanded up to 66.6 cubic feet when traveling without rear passengers. A 103.5-inch wheelbase clears the ground by 7.7 inches and balances its 3230 pound curb weight eggectively. The Sportage is available as either a front wheel or four wheel driven vehicle and all trims require 17.7 feet of turning radius.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the 2010 Kia Sportage will deliver 20/25 mpg city/highway fuel economy. That means with the base model's 15.3-gallon fuel tank filled to capacity, owners will be able to travel nearly 400 highway miles without refueling. Base model maximum towing capacity is rated at 1500 pounds, with a payload rating of 1195 pounds. Attractive Kia financing incentives are being offered right now including the KMFC $1000 Bonus Cash Program, a $400 cash back KMF College Graduate Program incentive that ends on 12/31/10 and a Military Specialty Incentive worth $500 cash back good until 06/30/10. Little to no APR rates are also in effect. Take advantage now.