Kia Sportage 2004–2008 car dimensions: 4350 mm long, 1840 mm wide and 1730 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,525 kg. Braked towing is 907 kg.
Air conditioning is standard on most grades with automatic climate control available on higher ones. Cruise control is standard on V6 and EX models. The cabin has a basic AM/FM/CD stereo, power windows, locks and mirrors, tilt steering and split-folding rear seats. No parking sensors, cameras or electronic driver aids are fitted.
Cargo volume is 667 litres behind the rear seats and expands to 1886 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat. A separate flip-open rear glass and underfloor storage add practicality for everyday loads.
Braked towing capacity is 680 kg on 2.0-litre models and 907 kg on 2.7-litre V6 models. Unbraked towing is 454 kg across the range. An optional tow hitch is available.
Payload is around 530 kg depending on engine and drivetrain. The vehicle suits light work use with standard skid plates and tow hooks but has no heavy-duty cooling or reinforced suspension packages.
The cabin seats five with firm, supportive front seats that have good side bolstering and an 8-way manual driver adjustment including height. Rear seats recline and use a drop-and-fold design for a flat load floor. A power tilt-and-slide sunroof is available on higher grades. The ride is comfortable and fairly quiet with low noise levels for the class, though taller rear passengers may notice less headroom with the sunroof. Cloth or optional leather trim feels solid, and storage spots plus cupholders make daily use easy.
EPA fuel economy ranges 19-22 city and 23-27 highway depending on 2.0L or 2.7L engine and drive type.
Engine oil and filter service every 8,000 km or 4 months.
Standard six airbags, four-wheel ABS with EBD, traction control and electronic stability program.
NHTSA five-star frontal and side ratings on tested models. IIHS Acceptable in frontal offset and side tests.
Basic warranty 5 years/60,000 miles. powertrain 10 years/100,000 miles.
Fuel use sits in the mid-teens to low-20s mpg combined. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder with manual returns the higher figures around 22/27, while the 2.7-liter V6 automatic drops to about 19/23. Tanks hold 15.3 or 17.2 gallons. Regular unleaded is specified.
Oil changes come every 8,000 km or four months. Coolant starts at 48,000 km then every 48,000 km. Timing belt is listed at 160,000 km. Transaxle fluid inspects and replaces on a 32,000 km cycle. Follow the schedule to keep the car reliable.
Safety kit is strong for the year: dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags are standard along with ABS discs, traction control and stability control. Crash scores reach five stars in NHTSA frontal and side tests on available data, with Acceptable IIHS results. Three-point belts cover all seats with pretensioners up front and LATCH anchors.
Keep up with oil, fluid and filter services. Check for any open recalls on the stability system, parking brake or fuel tank. The long powertrain warranty helps if the car stays in the family. Parts are straightforward and the unibody is durable with regular care.
Length 4350 mm, Width 1840 mm, Height 1730 mm, Wheelbase 2630 mm (Sportage 2004–2008)
Sources: manufacturer data, 2005 Kia Sportage Owner's Manual, 2005 Kia US brochure.