Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is a great looking compact SUV. It offers plenty of comfort, it is easy to drive, and it can get into small spaces without difficulty. Yet it offers the value of an SUV with higher vision level, optional 4 wheel drive, and you don’t have to sacrifice great fuel economy to get those perks.

The Kia Sportage entered the market in 1993 as a response to the demand from consumers. They loved the SUV concept, but not the large vehicle as not everyone needs room for 8. Large SUVs can be comfortable but they can also consume plenty of fuel. That makes a compact SUV a better option for someone that doesn’t need all the extra room.

Sales started to drop for the Kia Sportage around 2003. The decision was made to discontinue production and to revamp it. In 2005, the updated version was introduced, and it has done very well with consumers. The extra safety features and additional cargo space are key selling points. Before the changes, it had one of the lowest scores for crash testing and now it has a 5 star rating.

The third generation Kia Sportage was released in 2011. It even received the award for the safest compact SUV in 2012. The 2013 model features a sloped hood design and more flare around the sides and the fender wells of the vehicle. It has brought more attention to it as a consumer top pick due to the style, handling, and price combined with excellent safety.