2008 Kia Sportage Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
19 - 22 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(16 Total Reviews)
no power steering
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I like my 2008 Kia Sportage but I am wondering if it built to withstand the extreme cold of northern Canadian climate. In under a year, it has been to the one and only Kia dealership in the Yukon to have the power steering hose repaired twice. Both times it let me down in the cold... to deal with two small children, no vehicle to travel 100 kms home and to arrange transportation and towing. Local dealer said to back into parking spots! And, to warm it up really good. It is at the dealership to be repaired again. Is this a design problem? I believe with this problem and in these temperatures it is not reliable! I wish I would have bought a FORD!
Favorite Features
Comfort, leg room, lots of room in the rear for passengers.
Suggested Improvements
Better power steering systems for cold climates
2000 miles and I like it
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
My clock just turned and I am happy with my new car.I did not want to spend a lot of $ but was in desperate need of a new car and this filled my needs. this being kind of a low end car I did not hold high expectations for the sportage, but I am surprised at how much I like the little suv. sure I have the same complaints as other owners, blind spots, arm rest to low not great millage, but overall I am very happy. Only regret is I should have got the EX. I miss the remote unlock and the ability to plug in iPod the ride has seemed to improve and I think the millage is getting a little better with a little break in.
Favorite Features
Heat and A/C both crank.
Suggested Improvements
Arm rest/ center console
6 out 6 people found this review helpful
Not bad at all
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
Traded a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V8 for a 2WD Sportage back in 2005. We already owned a Kia Sedona minivan, and have short commutes, so were not put off by Kia's less than stellar mileage. I use it to carry a load of sailboard equipment on the roof and it drives well under that load. This SUV is reliable and very safe. Unfortunately, it has been in three crashes, but is built like a tank and appears to be very repairable. Not a single issue with either car except Hankook tires, which are just serviceable. I recommend an upgrade to a good truck tire. (We also have a Honda CR-V)
Favorite Features
Reliability has been superb. Ride and seats comfortable. Build is solid. Feature-for-feature, comparable with the CRV and Rav4 for a much better price. KIA's current pricing makes it a very good deal. Will very probably buy another KIA. KIA stands behind their warranty.
Suggested Improvements
Agree that the armrest situation needs fixing. KIA knows they need to tweak the gas mileage upwards by getting the weight down. Can't really complain at anything, because I thought I was buying an econobox and I got a nice, competitive little SUV.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Piece of JUNK
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Piece of junk. I will not buy another KIA. It is in the shop with more repairs being done than I am able to drive it. Heater blows cold air, Shocks and bearings have had to be replaced, ESC sensor goes out on it, Wiper blades stick to the windshield. This is just to name a few of the problems with it.
Favorite Features
None
Suggested Improvements
Do not buy. Send this and other KIA's back to the manufacturer. This car is very undependable.
4 out 8 people found this review helpful
Love my Kia
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Just purchased my first Kia, I love it! It drives very nicely, quiet cabin and plenty of room for a family of five. I'm not sure about the gas mileage, 155 miles on a half a tank. The ECS OFF light came on the day after buying the car, getting fixed this week. Dealer said the sensor has to be reset. The warranty is great. The car will be paid off before the warranty is gone. After driving a automatic for so long the clutch was easy to relearn.
Favorite Features
The whole car!
Suggested Improvements
none that i can think of.
4 out 6 people found this review helpful
Great vehicle so far
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
We just bought our new suv a few days ago and we love it. We test drove the mazda 3, chev malibu and the honda civic but ended up buying an suv. It was less expensive than any of the other vehicles with just as many or more features.
Favorite Features
We like the fact it has a 5 star safety rating. It looks great, rides nice, has lots of interior room and is quiet on the highway.
Suggested Improvements
The center console could be longer so you could actually use it as an armrest. Maybe put the cruise on the steering wheel and put the rear wiper controls elsewhere.
9 out 11 people found this review helpful
Great Value
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
We've had a 2005 Hyundai Elantra that gave us no issues at all, so we looked at the Tucson, but liked the more modern look and feel of the Kia Sportage. Surprised at the tight fit and finish, and the nice interior does not really feel or look cheap. Quiet cabin, great ride and beautiful paint and quality. Lots of room and a very well put together vehicle. Performance is actually OK in the 4-Cyl...I mean this isn't a racer but not what you buy these for anyway. It's more than adequate for ramps and merging and drives great on the highway.
Favorite Features
All the luxuries, like Power Windows and locks, A/C tilt etc make this a great value, but the safety side Air Bags , Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Traction Control are the best.
Suggested Improvements
If I *had* to pick something to complain about, I guess the radio could use an upgrade. Better EQ Management and a USB for MP3 player would go a long way.
20 out 22 people found this review helpful
Needs Armrests
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Like the car but don't like the fact there are no front center arm rests. Would not buy again unless they improve that feature. Like everything else, great car.
Favorite Features
Turning radius, luggage compartment, wide doors, plenty of leg room
Suggested Improvements
Please, please include some front center arm rests in this car. Not a thing to stop one from falling over or to lean on. Car is wonderful except for that feature or lack thereof. Would stop me from getting another one.
10 out 10 people found this review helpful
Impressed
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
My daughter went looking for a new car in January. She wanted a small SUV. I talked her into looking at the KIA Sportage, mainly due to price and warranty. She really didn't think she wanted a KIA, but to placate me, she decided to look at the Sportage. She ended up purchasing a 6 cylinder LX and so did I! We both love our Sportages. They get better gas mileage than what is published. They are fun to drive and very comfortable. We are both very happy with our purchases!
Favorite Features
Interior room
Suggested Improvements
Door locks standard
8 out 8 people found this review helpful
Best vehicle I have ever owned!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2008 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
Review
In 2006, our family purchased our first Sportage. It was Jade Green and I loved it so very much. Due to rising gas prices, we recently went on the lookout for a better commuter vehicle and, while impressed with the looks and mileage of the Kia compacts, we went right back to a new Sportage. This one is silver gray and happily accepted by the whole family. We love the safety it offers, the height, and the roomy interior. I'm sure we will always go to the Kia Sportage as new vehicles are required by our family. My only issue is the ESC Off light came on as we drove it home from the dealership. Will call immediately to have it fixed.
Favorite Features
Very comfortable, roomy interior, great value on purchase price, contemporary, stylish exterior, Kia always offers excellent cash back and loyalty incentives
Suggested Improvements
Offer an MP3 port standard (as on other Kia vehicles), I also agree with the reviews calling for rear air vent and audio controls on steering wheel
13 out 16 people found this review helpful
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