Compact SUV Offers Comfort, Convenience and Safety at a Tremendous Value
11/30/2006
Kia
For 2007, the award-winning Kia Sportage continues to offer the same combination of comfort, convenience and class-leading safety features that have established the compact SUV as the value standard in the segment since its debut in 2005. An available Sport Package for LX V6 models adds distinctive features such as fog lights, sport gauge instrument cluster, black mesh grille, dark metallic gray bodyside cladding, leather steering wheel and shift knob, rear spoiler, cargo cover and the AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers from the EX trim level.¹
Designed with both young-at-heart and value-conscious customers in mind, Sportage places a heavy emphasis on safety. Its long list of standard safety features includes: six standard airbags (two advanced front airbags, two front-seat-mounted side airbags, and two full-length side-curtain airbags); four-wheel disc brakes with antilock brake system (ABS); traction control system (TCS); aluminum trim assist grips, and electronic stability control (ESC).
Sportage is an exceptionally spacious vehicle with an interior that can transport five adults in comfort, or fewer people and a wide variety of cargo with its innovative easy-to-use 'Drop & Fold' rear seat.
The 'Drop & Fold' rear seating system utilizes a 60/40 split cushion and backrest that allows the bottom cushion to move forward and down into the rear footwell area, which in turn allows the seat backrest to be folded completely flat and onto the same level as the trunk floor. This easy-to-perform operation can be carried out without removing the rear head restraints.
The 'Drop & Fold' rear seat, plus the fold-flat front passenger seat, gives Sportage users a large number of seating/luggage carrying combinations. With all seats occupied, the Sportage can carry three sets of golf clubs in the load area. Maximum cargo volume is 66.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The fold-flat front passenger seat allows for carrying long loads or simply providing more legroom for passengers traveling in the right rear seat. The fold-flat seat also can be utilized as a "work table" for the driver when the vehicle is parked.
Access to Sportage's cabin is particularly easy, with large, wide-opening doors and especially generous legroom - 42.1 inches at the front and 37.2 inches at the rear. Front headroom is 40.7 inches, while rear headroom is 39.4 inches. Sportage's front seats can be fully reclined (with head rests removed) to meet second-row cushions for sleeping.
In addition to its sheer volume, customer convenience benefits offered by the load area include: a rear-cargo under-floor oddments tray (above the spare wheel), three seat-back hooks for grocery bags, six tie-down anchors in the floor, side-wall storage with net, and a two-position rear cargo cover.
Sportage also offers a wide range of storage compartments including a large center console with two-stage tray top², large lockable glove box, overhead sunglasses holder, map and cup holders in all four doors, rear-seat central armrest and floor-console dual cup holders. A handy shopping bag hook in the front-passenger area keeps bags upright and easily accessible.
Sportage comes with the choice of two engines, a five-speed manual or four-speed Sportmatic(TM) transmission, and the choice of either two-wheel or full-time four-wheel drive.
The 2.0-liter, 16-valve engine uses Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to boost performance, enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions at low and mid-range rpm. This engine generates 140 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm, giving the Sportage competitive power for its class.
For even better performance, a powerful V6 engine is available, mated to a four-speed Sportmatic(TM) transmission. The lightweight, compact, DOHC 24-valve all-aluminum 2.7-liter engine generates 173 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.
Fully independent suspension systems in both the front and rear are designed to deliver responsive on-road handling and a comfortable ride on a wide variety of road surfaces, while retaining long-wheel-travel and a genuine talent to perform with true off-road ability.
A four-channel, four-sensor, antilock brake system (ABS) is standard. This system incorporates electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), which helps to distribute braking force evenly to all four wheels as weight shifts during cornering. The standard traction control is a fully-automatic dual-mode system that either reduces engine power or applies the vehicle's brakes - or both when appropriate.
All Sportage models come with 16-inch alloy wheels. The four-cylinder Sportage LX is fitted with 215/65R16 tires, while Sportage V6 models make use of 235/60R16 BF Goodrich tires.
The Sportage LX model is loaded with standard equipment. In addition to antilock brakes (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), traction control system (TCS), electronic stability control (ESC), six airbags, and a choice of engines and drivetrains, the LX trim level also offers power windows with a driver's one-touch down feature, power mirrors, rear privacy glass, roof rack, and an AM/FM/CD stereo system with six speakers. Cruise control comes as standard equipment on all V6 models.
In addition to the V6 engine with automatic transmission, opting for the EX model adds a power-operated, one-touch sunroof, fog lights, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), heated outside mirrors, a leather-covered shift knob and steering wheel, illuminated ignition, remote keyless entry system, a cargo cover and upgraded seat fabric.
The EX also offers a Luxury Package, which includes leather seats and interior trim, heated front seats, automatic headlamps, electrochromatic interior mirror with HomeLink(R), upgraded stereo system complete with subwoofer and external amplifier, and special body-color bumpers. The leather seats and trim are also available as a stand-alone option for the EX model.
Like all Kia models, the Sportage is covered by a comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in the package are a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty; a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty; and a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan is also part of the comprehensive coverage program.
Kia Motors America - the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea - offers a complete line-up of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For more information visit www.kiamedia.com.
¹ Sport Package was available on a limited number of 2006 model year Sportage LX V6 models