Korea’s proving to the world that they can produce vehicles to give the pricier and more established Japanese brands a run for their money in the new-car market.
Thankfully for the used car shopper, second-hand Korean vehicles from the modern era seem to be doing the same thing. Where reliability is concerned, many Kia and Hyundai products look like solid second-hand bets—and thanks to relatively low resale values, one won’t be required to sever an appendage when it comes time to pay.
Looking for a second-hand family hauler crossover? The second-generation Kia Sportage is worth a check. It’s a five-seater, compact ute that was available with four or six-cylinder power. Sizing was in roughly the same ballpark as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape. The second-generation Sportage’s lifespan on our shores ran from model years 2005 to 2009, with a mandatory make-over and refresh part way through.
Note that under its skin, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were the same vehicle—so if you’re shopping, this information will be relevant to both. Look for a two-litre, four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard and four-wheel drive was optional.
The base engine created 140 horsepower, though a 2.7 litre V6 with 173 ponies was available. It was paired only with the automatic transmission. Consider the larger engine for more confident passing and acceleration if you frequently travel with a fully-loaded vehicle. For the average driver and connoisseur of patient acceleration, the four-cylinder should be just fine.
Shoppers can look for features like heated leather seats, a sunroof, traction and stability control, USB audio input, remote entry, alloy wheels and more. Kia nomenclature puts an LX badge on most Sportage models, with sportier and more generously-equipped units wearing SX or EX badges.
A scan of online polls indicates that most last-gen Sportage owners enjoy a sturdy ride, compact handling and parking dynamics, confidence on slippery roads and plenty of real-world versatility. Overall interior and exterior styling are also rated highly, as is fuel efficiency with the four-cylinder engine.
 |
| 2009 Kia Sportage (Photo: Auto123.com) |
Thankfully for the used car shopper, second-hand Korean vehicles from the modern era seem to be doing the same thing. Where reliability is concerned, many Kia and Hyundai products look like solid second-hand bets—and thanks to relatively low resale values, one won’t be required to sever an appendage when it comes time to pay.
Looking for a second-hand family hauler crossover? The second-generation Kia Sportage is worth a check. It’s a five-seater, compact ute that was available with four or six-cylinder power. Sizing was in roughly the same ballpark as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape. The second-generation Sportage’s lifespan on our shores ran from model years 2005 to 2009, with a mandatory make-over and refresh part way through.
Note that under its skin, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were the same vehicle—so if you’re shopping, this information will be relevant to both. Look for a two-litre, four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard and four-wheel drive was optional.
The base engine created 140 horsepower, though a 2.7 litre V6 with 173 ponies was available. It was paired only with the automatic transmission. Consider the larger engine for more confident passing and acceleration if you frequently travel with a fully-loaded vehicle. For the average driver and connoisseur of patient acceleration, the four-cylinder should be just fine.
Shoppers can look for features like heated leather seats, a sunroof, traction and stability control, USB audio input, remote entry, alloy wheels and more. Kia nomenclature puts an LX badge on most Sportage models, with sportier and more generously-equipped units wearing SX or EX badges.
A scan of online polls indicates that most last-gen Sportage owners enjoy a sturdy ride, compact handling and parking dynamics, confidence on slippery roads and plenty of real-world versatility. Overall interior and exterior styling are also rated highly, as is fuel efficiency with the four-cylinder engine.
 |
| 2005 Kia Sportage (Photo: Auto123.com) |