The Kia Sportage has a little more bite to it as far as handling goes than your average SUV. This makes it a more sporty option and a fun to drive vehicle. Although the Sportage comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower as standard, most reviewers prefer the 2.7-liter V6 engine with 173 horsepower. You can get the upgraded V6 engine for only $1,000 more than the standard price. However, there are complaints that the Sportage is rather sluggish in comparison to other vehicles of this type. Fuel economy isn’t really anything to brag about with this latest Kia getting 20 mpg city and 25 for highway driving based on the 2 wheel drive model. Looking at the exterior of the 2010 Kia Sportage you can see the quality and elegance of syle shine through. The wheel arches are emphasized making the car look sporty, and its looks are appealing to any age group. The overall body shape has a toned and somewhat chizeled appearance to it, the Sportage is bold without being over the top. The interior proves to be comfortable with lots of leg room in the front as well as the back of the vehicle. There is room for 5 in this SUV, but the back middle seat was found not to be as comfortable as the rest and only really any good for short trips. The Sportage comes with standard features, but for an extra $1,300 you can invest in the Luxury Package. This package allows you to have chrome interior door handles, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and more. There is quite a lot of cargo space in this SUV it has 23.6 cubic feet with the back seat up, and 66.6 cubic feet when the seat is folded down. Also included is under floor cargo space in the back with additional space in the rear center arm rests. Electronic Stability Control, dual front advanced air bags, full-length side curtain air bags, and dual front seat-mounted side air bags are all part of the safety package for the Kia Sportage. At a starting price of $17,042 for the basic model it is one of the cheapest in its class. It faired well in frontal and rear impact tests, but for the roof strength test it didn’t do so good. The 2010 Kia Sprtage is a reasonable ride both on the highway and in the city, although it could have been much better if fuel economy wasn’t an issue. It is an affordable SUV, however there are other models in the market that would probably beat it hands down in many departments. Category:Home › Home • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 2 • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 1 • Should the crew of the Sea Shepherd board whaling ships? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 13 • Grandparents: Can blogging chronicle your genealogy? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 12 • Are teachers unions the cause of public school problems today? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 11
