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2009 Kia Sportage Sport Utility Crossover

2WD 4dr I4 Manual LX

Starting at $12,550 | Starting at 20 MPG City - 25 MPG Highway

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$12,550 average Retail
$16,695 original MSRP

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Overview
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Printable Version

2009 Kia Sportage Sport Utility Crossover

Summary

Provided by NADAguides.com

For 2009, the Kia Sportage, a small four-door SUV, is updated with new wheel designs, active front headrests, keyless entry, auxiliary input jacks and satellite-radio as standard, while a navigation system becomes an option. With a choice of front- or four-wheel drive, the base Sportage is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine good for 140 hp and 136 lb-ft or torque paired to a five-speed manual transmission, but a four-speed automatic is available as an option. Stepping up, the Sportage can be equipped with a 173-hp 2.7L V6 engine with 178 lb-ft of torque mated to a standard automatic transmission and is available as front- or four-wheel drive. With fuel economy as one of its strong suits, the I4 Sportage gets 20 mpg city/25 mpg hwy with the manual transmission and 19/25 mpg with the automatic, while the 2WD V6 achieves 17/23 mpg and the 4WD V6, 17/21 mpg. Kia Sportage safety features provide traction control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and six standard airbags, including front- and side-impact airbags for driver and passenger, and side curtain airbags for front- and rear-seat occupants.

Benefits of Driving a 2009 Kia Sportage Sport Utility Crossover

Its generous list of standard equipment, impressive 10-year/100,000 mile warranty and base price affordability make the 2009 Kia Sportage a value leader among compact SUVs.

What's new for 2009?

The Kia Sportage gets a facelift for 2009 including redesigned headlamps and front grill fascia. The updated interior trim and new electronic features like optional navigation, Sirius satellite radio, MP3 compatibility, as well as USB and auxiliary jacks all lend a refreshed feeling to the 2009 Kia Sportage.

Model Strengths

Wide array of standard safety features
competent handling
stylish and versatile interior
remarkable warranty

Model Review

Kia's Sportage is still available in both front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive for 2009, and can be powered by either a 140-horsepower, 2.0L 4-cylinder engine or a 173-horsepower, 2.7L V6. The 4-cylinder engine comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed electronically controlled 'Sportmatic' transmission. The V6 is only available with a 4-speed 'Sportmatic'.

Printable Version

2009 Kia Sportage Sport Utility Crossover

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2009 Kia Sportage

Source: The Car Connection

TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Kia Sportage and bring you their expert opinion in this Bottom Line. Then, from available road tests, TheCarConnection.com's researchers gathered some of the most useful information on the 2009 Kia Sportage to produce an especially useful review.

The Kia Sportage was introduced in 2005, and it sees some slight styling changes for '09, plus improved fuel economy, better drivability, and a sprinkling of internal technological niceties.

The Sportage's makeover includes body color-matching front and rear bumpers, a new grille design, new headlights and fog lights, and new alloy wheels.

To enhance fuel economy, boost performance, and reduce emissions at low- and mid-range rpm, the 2009 Kia Sportage with the 2.0-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder engine uses continuously variable valve timing (CVVT). The 2.0-liter engine produces 140 horsepower, while the 2.7-liter V-6 produces 173 horses. Both engines can be mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. EPA fuel economy estimates range from the base four-cylinder/five-speed manual (the most efficient combination) at 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, to the least efficient V-6 and automatic rated at 17 mpg city, 21 highway.

Kia's V-6 isn't blazingly powerful, so it's not quite the advantage one might initially consider it to be. Acceleration is a little bit better with the V-6 than the four-cylinder, but neither is a Corvette killer. However, the V-6 engine comes in at a price point that competes with most competitors' four-cylinder engines, so the Kia has a lead on paper right from the start.

The 2009 Kia Sportage is built off of the Kia Spectra car chassis, and this is good because it gives the little SUV a smooth ride and comfortable handing dynamics. The Sportage rides on MacPherson struts up front, with gas-filled shock absorbers at the rear, stabilizer bars at both ends, and 16-inch wheels and tires. Handling is secure and adequate, but not inspiring.

Performance in government crash tests is middle of the pack, with "acceptable" side-impact results from the IIHS. The 2009 Kia Sportage's long list of standard safety gear includes dual front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; traction and stability control; and tire pressure monitors.

Standard features on all LX models include multi-reflector headlamps, roof rails, front and rear towing hooks, and a front-end skid plate. Upgrading to the EX model includes a power sunroof, fog lights, and heated outside mirrors. The Sport Package, available on LX V-6 models, includes fog lights, leather steering wheel and shift knob, rear spoiler, rear cargo cover, and the brand-new 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the 2009 Kia Sportage features a redesigned center fascia, but more important, all Kia Sportage models come standard with Sirius Satellite Radio and auxiliary and USB jacks with MP3 playback capabilities.

Kia provides excellent coverage on the 2009 Sportage with a five-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, plus a ten-year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain.

The Bottom Line:

If you can live without top-level refinement and the latest technology, 2009 Kia Sportage is a fine little SUV and, considering its price, a genuine value.

Printable Version

2009 Kia Sportage Sport Utility Crossover

Safety Ratings What do the Safety Ratings mean? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performs independent crash testing of new vehicles and then assigns them a score based on their performance. The overall crash test rating is based on how a vehicle performs in the following tests: Driver Crash Grade: Measures the chance of a serious injury to a crash test dummy that is placed in a driver's seat and driven into a fixed barrier at 35 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less chance of injury. Passenger Crash Grade: Similar to the driver crash grade, only now the focus is on the passenger. Rollover Resistance: Simulates an emergency lane change to measure the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less risk of rollover. Side Impact Crash Test - Front: Focuses on the front side of a vehicle. It simulates crashes that can occur in intersections by striking a 3,015-pound weight against the side of a vehicle at 38.5 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 5 percent or less chance of injury. Side Impact Crash Test - Rear: Similar to the front side impact test only now the focus is on the rear passenger.
Driver Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Passenger Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Rollover Resistance	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Front	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Rear	No consumer rating Rate & Review

Safety Features & Equipment

Braking & Traction
4-Wheel ABS	Std
Traction/Stability Control	Std
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	Std

Passenger Restraint
Driver Air Bag	Std
Passenger Air Bag	Std
Side Air Bag	Std
Side Head Air Bag	Std
Rear Head side Air Bag	Std
Child Safety Locks	Std

Road Visibility
Intermittent Wipers	Std
Variable Inter. Wipers	Std

Printable Version

2009 Kia Sportage Sport Utility Crossover

Original Warranty Original Warranty An original warranty is the warranty associated with a vehicle when it is brand new. In addition to the original warranty, select items, like tires, are typically covered by respective manufacturers. Also, an act of Federal law sometimes provides protection for certain components, like emissions equipment. The original warranty is often broken down into multiple sections, including: Basic Warranty: Typically covers everything except for parts that wear out through normal use of the vehicle. Examples of non-covered items are brake pads, wiper blades and filters. Drivetrain Warranty: This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect. Wear and tear items such as hoses will not be covered, but key items like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft often will be. Roadside Assistance: The level of service differs greatly with this warranty, but many manufacturers offer a toll-free number that helps provide assistance in case you run out of gas, get a flat tire or lock your keys in the car. Corrosion Warranty: This warranty focuses on protecting you from holes caused by rust or corrosion in your vehicle's sheet metal. Please check the owner's manual, visit a local dealership or look at the manufacturer's website to learn more about the specifics of the warranties that apply to a vehicle.	Miles	Months
Basic	60,000	60
Drivetrain	100,000	120
Corrosion	100,000	60
Roadside Assistance	60,000	60

Kia Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Certified Pre-Owned Warranty To be eligible for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) status, vehicles generally must be recent models with relatively low mileage. CPO vehicles must also pass a detailed inspection, outlined by the manufacturer, which is measured by the number of inspected points. Warranty coverage can vary from one manufacturer to the next. While most certified pre-owned programs transfer and extend the existing new car warranty terms, others offer a warranty that simply represents an additional year and mileage value. Always check with the manufacturer for the specific warranties they offer. Common features and benefits of Certified Pre-Owned warranties include: Age/Mileage Eligibility To even be considered for certification, a car must be a recent model year and have limited mileage. The exact requirements are established by individual manufacturers. Lease Term Certified Some manufacturers offer certified pre-owned cars for lease. The length of the lease is often shorter than a new car lease, but it will cost you less. Point Inspection These inspections entail a comprehensive vehicle test to ensure that all parts are in excellent working order. The point inspection list is simply a numbered list of exactly what parts of the car are examined. While many inspections range from a 70- to 150-point checklist, most are very similar and are performed using strict guidelines. Ask your local dealer about specific details. Return/Exchange Program Some manufacturers offer a very limited return or exchange period. Find out if you will get the sales tax and licensing/registration fees back should you return or exchange the car. Roadside Assistance Most certified pre-owned programs offer free roadside service in case your car breaks down while still under warranty. Special Financing Reduced-rate loans are available through many certified pre-owned programs. Manufacturer-backed inspections and warranties help eliminate the risks involved with buying pre-owned, so buyers who qualify can take advantage of the great offers. Transferable Warranty When a new car warranty transfers with the certification of the car and remains eligible for the next owner, it is known as a transferable warranty. Once the original transferable warranty expires, an extended warranty takes effect. Warranty Deductible This is the amount for which you are responsible when repair work is performed under the warranty. Some manufacturers require a deductible while others don't, so always ask.
120-months/100,000-mile Powertrain warranty from original in-service date
Age/Mileage Eligibility	up to 5 model years old w/ less than 60,000 miles
Lease Term Certified	No
Point Inspection	150
Return/Exchange Program	No
Roadside Assistance	10-Year/Unlimited Mileage from In-Service Date
Transferrable Warranty	Yes
Warranty Deductible	$50