2001 Kia Sportage LX 2.0i from Russia

Summary:

The car to buy

Faults:

Left back glass lift was broken on 2nd thousand. But immediately changed for a new one for free.

General Comments:

It seems to be the best one I have for that money.

Super off-road traction (do not forget to change tires for bigger ones and not Korean).

Safe and nice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th September, 2002

2001 Kia Sportage EX from North America

Summary:

Money Pit that is cheaply made

Faults:

Passenger side back door would not close properly.

Back breaks were not adjusted and the front brakes began to wear dramaticly.

Three of the six speakers crackled.

Shakes after it is started.

Front passenger side tire made a grinding noise.

Back fires at times.

Cost depreciated more than half.

General Comments:

I initially did a lot of research when purchasing a Kia Sportage there were no bad review out.

I purchased the car because it came with a great warranty. However, the service department has the mentality of a fast food worker and does not care.

I have recently traded in the Kia Sportage for a more reliable, better made car and have taken a significant loss for the trade in value because the depreciation of the Kia is half of the cars original value when it is new.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th June, 2002

2001 Kia Sportage from North America

Summary:

Over all it's a good car except for it being to light

Faults:

I never realised how light the Kia is. If there are any winds above 15 to 20 miles per hour the 4x4 is all over the place.

Have to say it's great in snow and ice. I did not get stuck even once this winter.

General Comments:

If you want a fast start it will not happen. It takes awhile to get into gear.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th May, 2002

2001 Kia Sportage LX 2.0 Four Cylinder from North America

Summary:

All it needs is the 3 pointed star!

Faults:

Air conditioning stopped working.

Transmission went at 12,000, and wouldn't shift into 2nd gear.

Four Wheel Drive went first at 6,000 miles (replaced under warranty), and again at 16,32

0 miles (replaced again at own expense!)

Grinding noise in driveline when on full-throttle. Not fixed.

Engine takes awhile to start. I will have the dealer look at it.

Not sure, but I think there is a fluid leak somewhere. I will see at my next check-up.

General Comments:

This is my first car. My parents bought it for me when I went off to college (sophomore year), and literally optioned out every feature in the book! I have driven my parent's Mercedes / Saabs, and I hate to say it, but my KIA was more luxurious than their E-Class!

The leather seats are great, especially for long drives! They look classy, and feel great!

This car itself also looks very upscale! It feels like a luxury vehicle inside and out! There's even wood-grain trim, just like there is in a Mercedes!

My friends are usually thoroughly impressed with the quality of the vehicle. The stereo sounds good, as long as you don't crank it up, and the air conditioning... when it works... works reasonably well!

Also, the Sportage is a tad pokey when it comes to acceleration, and it makes an awful grinding noise when you push it hard. It's best to glide along traffic.

The interior is moderately roomy, although nothing to brag about, it will fit your friends nicely.

There have been a few reliability hiccups, but I think that's to be expected, because each car has its problems.

The dealers, fortunately, seem to have the confidence to fix these problems. They seem experienced with these problems, and really don't get too worried about not being able to fix the car, which is good, because I'm no auto mechanic myself! Of course, I'm surprised at what isn't covered under warranty, like the transmission and the air conditioning. They replaced the four-wheel drive once when it went out under the warranty, but apparently, if something under warranty goes more than once, it comes out of your pocket, at least according to the dealer. (check with yours, I've heard some people say I'm being lied to) Oh well, as long as they keep my car running, I'm fine!

If you're looking for an affordable luxury SUV, you've found it! This car makes you feel so rich, without having to spend the extra dough! Just make sure to be careful with some things like accelerating, otherwise some flaws will show through. But each car has its problems, and I can live with a slightly slow SUV!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th April, 2002

2001 Kia Sportage 2.0 from South Africa

Summary:

A bad buy

Faults:

Rear window winder had to be repaired 6 times and subsequently replaced.

Battery went flat twice, the first time at 2 500 kilometres.

Very poor service facilties

Generaly poor attitude to service problems from dealer

Very poor standard of manufacture.

General Comments:

Very poorly built car with bad service record.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th April, 2002

2001 Kia Sportage EX 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A overpriced piece of junk that is not safe and/or reliable in any way, shape, or form

Faults:

This is real piece of junk!

The sportage is only 6 months old.

Has been in for a service 3 times already.

Front windshield wiper(s) motor component has already blown, almost killing me while driving in a rain storm.

Obvious brake dust problem.

Constant "clicking" noise in the engine while the truck is running, that the dealer seems to think is quite normal?

Entire steering column shakes while driving.

Overall rough driving performance.

Interior satisfactory.

General Comments:

For anyone who owns a piece of junk like this it's nice to know that other people can understand your frustration with this heap!

For anyone who was thinking about purchasing a Kia Sportage, you probably will think twice about it due to all the horrible reviews you have just read.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th December, 2001

11th Nov 2005, 11:45

I could not agree more!