2002 Kia Sportage Walkaround Review at Automotive.com
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Kia
Sportage
2002

2002 Kia Sportage Review: Exterior

Below is a full, detailed 2002 Kia Sportage review and road test from New Car Test Drive. A full evaluation of price, equipment, the driving experience, and specs are all here in a structured, easy-to-navigate format from journalists with limitless e ...     read more
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2002 Kia Sportage Review

Tough little SUV with new standard features.
Walkaround
Its utilitarian looks and proportions give the Sportage a cute, capable look. The design of the Kia Sportage is rugged and functional, however. Short front and rear overhangs improve its ability to clamber over rugged terrain.

Choosing an SUV depends a lot on what you want it to do. Right now, the market offers several compact sport-utilities with tough-truck looks, but hiding beneath their tough exteriors are the hearts and souls of passenger cars. Built on passenger-car platforms, with car-like unitbody construction, they usually feature a full-time four-wheel-drive system that's a real plus on snow-covered roads. But many of them lack real off-road capability. When the tough get going, they're better off staying in the parking lot. These include the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute.

The Kia Sportage is not a car-based SUV. Its body-on-frame construction is a true truck-style design. Its ladder frame has six cross members for increased rigidity.

For 2002, Kia has redesigned the latch on the rear hatch of four-door versions. Also new for 2002 is a two-tone option package that includes contrasting-color body cladding, bumpers, fender flares, roof rack and a hard spare tire cover. Next Page


2002 Kia Sportage