1996 Kia Sportage Review

This car won't leave you stranded

Written by: Lena LaFaye on 11/29/2008

Vehicle

1996 Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon

Review

I have owned this car for six years now. It has never once left me stranded. If you treat this car well it will run. Repairs I have done were normal considering the age. Timing belt, front wheel bearings, harmonic balancer, starter, fan clutch, brake drums and other scheduled maintenance. This car has lasted multiple cross country road trips and does exceptional on the highway. Even now, with it being 12 years old I get 23mpg city and 30mpg hwy. The new model sportage is put to shame by this. People mention to me my car doesn't accelerate fast. I don't mind this because I'm not a fast driver. I like that it's high enough that you can step into it not stand up or stoop down.

Favorite Features

I like the trunk space, the height, and the dependability.

Suggested Improvements

Since it's no longer in production it doesn't matter what improvements I say. However, if it had a cd player built in and cruise control that would make it perfect.

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Pros and Cons

Written by: Troy on 06/02/2008

Vehicle

1996 Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon

Review

I have a 96 Kia Sportage and The Kia is good in most cases until it breaks down. For the do it your self mechanic there is NO shop manual avalable, Because KIA wants you to bring the car to them. I am currently having to replace water pump, timing, and work on lifters without a shop manual. Hoping i can find all the timing and torque specs i need. I hope in the future Kia allows a shop manual and more after market parts for the do it yourself mechanic. Hopefully after i am done i can get better fuel mileage.

Favorite Features

4x4 & compact

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders

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Surprising quality for price

Written by: phil on 08/30/2007

Vehicle

1996 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX 4WD Wagon

Review

It's been a great car. Reliable, tough and just keeps running. Even after 11 years, there hasn't been a reason to get rid of it. At this point in its life we are replacing parts and such but it's still far cheaper than a new car. The interior has worn like iron. Even parked in the sun all the time, the dash hasn't cracked. You won't set any speed records in it and the acceleration isn't as good as it was earlier in its life but that's to be expected from a heavy 4WD pulled by a 2 liter 4 cylinder engine.

Favorite Features

Good visibility, 4WD, looks, comfortable in both the front and back seats.

Suggested Improvements

More power. A 6 cylinder would be a nice improvement. The newer models have that now, but aren't a true truck frame so new ones are not nearly as capable off-road as the older ones.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Little blue Devil

Written by: bulldog on 05/09/2005

Vehicle

1996 Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD Wagon

Review

This car has been a fun drive over the last 9 years. Withonly the waterpump (warranty failure), EGR (again warranty failure) and replacing the timing belt at 80000 miles, this car has been perfect. It attacks the mountain roads around Arizona and can get around town just as well. Holds a full load of groceries in the back and add more room with the folding seats. Limits to this car are thelack of leg room for the back-seat passengers if they are over 6 ft. tall. This may seem trivial but there are also no drink holders in the back. We've taken this car on long trips across country, but you have to stop more often for the people in the back to let them stretch.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage always in the 22+ range. Nimble in turns.

Suggested Improvements

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Be very careful

Written by: Bill C on 03/07/2003

Vehicle

1996 Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX 4WD Wagon

Review

My largest complaint comes from the failure of a timing belt. The engines on these vehicles are referred to as an "interfearence" motor which means that if the timing belt breaks, there is a great chance that the motor will destruct via valves and pistons hitting eachother in a furious, mistimed, catastrophic event. Here is the biggest kicker- The water pump is driven by the timing belt which means as in my case, the water pump failed causing the timing belt to fail prematurely ultimately causing a catastrophic disolving of the internal motor parts. IMHO, not a good engineering design.

Favorite Features

Good in accidents, car was struck while stopped at a stop light. A Mitsubishi Eclipse impacted the rear end of the Kia. The Kia had $1,200.00 in damages, the Eclipse ended up with the motor in the passenger seat.

Suggested Improvements

Improve the overall quality, lower road noise, and improve motor performance.

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