Topic: 2006 KIA Sportage - Thoughts/Opinions/Delivery

[snelly]

Hi all - first post here. 
Well I did it - never thought I'd do it - but it's done.
I've ordered a KIA !?   A KIA Sportage AWD luxury to be exact.  I always kinda shuddered when I'd see a KIA drive by, and say under my breath "why would anyone ever buy a KIA?".  Well, it's much harder to say that now I think after test driving a CRV, an Xtrail, a VUE, an Impreza, and a Vibe.  The ride is impressive, interior build quality nice, attractive styling, and 5 yr warranty.  Let alone the price! 

Anyways, the main reason I'm posting is to see if anyone else has ordered one, and to find if they too have to wait till the end of December for delivery??  Seems a little odd to me, but I figured the city of Calgary would have at least one 06 Sportage with leather in stock - but no dice.  Also, I'd really like to hear some fuel mileage figures from current 05 owners.
Anyhow - great forum and terrific canadian automotive site.  invaluable information
Thanks,
S

[bmorton]

Welcome and congratulations on the new vehicle. You must be really looking forward to getting it.

My sister just bought a 2006 Tucson GLS AWD last week. Equivalent Hyundai model to your Kia. From what I've seen of it I'm very impressed with the build quality. It's solid and feels built to last. The 5-year warranty was a factor in her decision as well. The dealer here had Tucsons on the lot so no waiting.

Considering the Sportage & Tucson are the same basic vehicle underneath, I imagine most people choose one over the other based on personal preference of styling or the dealership. Could be the Kias are harder to get your hands on than the Hyundais, going by you having to wait!

So far my sister has found that the 2.7 AWD combination isn't fantastic on gas, but she was aware of that going in so it's an expected compromise.

[mr_meow]

Hi all - first post here. 
Well I did it - never thought I'd do it - but it's done.
I've ordered a KIA !?   A KIA Sportage AWD luxury to be exact.  I always kinda shuddered when I'd see a KIA drive by, and say under my breath "why would anyone ever buy a KIA?".  Well, it's much harder to say that now I think after test driving a CRV, an Xtrail, a VUE, an Impreza, and a Vibe.  The ride is impressive, interior build quality nice, attractive styling, and 5 yr warranty.  Let alone the price! 

Anyways, the main reason I'm posting is to see if anyone else has ordered one, and to find if they too have to wait till the end of December for delivery??  Seems a little odd to me, but I figured the city of Calgary would have at least one 06 Sportage with leather in stock - but no dice.  Also, I'd really like to hear some fuel mileage figures from current 05 owners.
Anyhow - great forum and terrific canadian automotive site.  invaluable information
Thanks,
S

Well Kia don't make unreliable motors just average   - just filmsy and cheap build quality - (and I don't like them) I'm begin to change B/C I like new Rio - this new batch will change all that we know and thought about Kia and hyundia - fingers crossed - hopefully you got the V6 version - it needs that - but the 4 should be ok - you also have 5 years peace of mind if anything goes wrong - remember its in its first years - so they be a few thinks that will need to be worked out -  I think the Kia is nicer looking too - I like more than its brother the Hyundai Tucson - anyways too late now to be badge snob - post pic's soon as you got it - also what colour is it? and what spec does it come with? - What made this SUV click for you?

Here some reviews

http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/New/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38528/Act/Prices/

http://www.carsurvey.org/modelyear_Kia_Sportage_2005.html

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=104571

http://www.drivingtelevision.com/segmentviewerStandard.php?episode=210&searchStatus=1&keyword=kia%20spotage&segment=2&keywordcall=&segtitle=   Video Review


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[duckhunter1]

Almost pulled the trigger on buying a 2006 Sportage LX Convience package but had second thoughts.  I'm waiting to see when they will release the 2.4L I-4 Theta engine for the Sportage/Tucson.  It should have better gas mileage (10-15%)  and better HP/torque.  I'm betting the new engine will appear in the 2nd qtr 2006 as a 2007 model to compete with the new RAV4 and soon to be released Dodge Caliber which will be using the same Theta engine.  Keeping my fingers crossed as the Sportage is one fine machine but the current I-4 is a little too thirsty and sluggish. 

[Shnak]

Almost pulled the trigger on buying a 2006 Sportage LX Convience package but had second thoughts.  I'm waiting to see when they will release the 2.4L I-4 Theta engine for the Sportage/Tucson.  It should have better gas mileage (10-15%)  and better HP/torque.  I'm betting the new engine will appear in the 2nd qtr 2006 as a 2007 model to compete with the new RAV4 and soon to be released Dodge Caliber which will be using the same Theta engine.  Keeping my fingers crossed as the Sportage is one fine machine but the current I-4 is a little too thirsty and sluggish. 

That's a great idea... I'd wait for the new 2.4L engine myself if I were interested in the Tucson or Sportage. I personally feel as though their current engine choices isn't really competitive with similar vehicles... but once the 2.4L engine finds its way into the Tucson/Sportage sisters, it will be a very tough vehicle to beat, especially if they also drop the new 5-speed automatic transmission from the new Sonata into them.

[duckhunter1]

Concur, the combo of the theta and a 5spd trans would be a killer product!

[snelly]

I ended up going with the Steel Grey, black leather int, AWD LX V6 with luxury package.  Seems pretty loaded, especially safety features which is a big plus -  stability control, AWD, ABS, 6 air bags.  I also liked that it can be locked in a 50/50 power split, a feature that only Xtrail offered.  Although I guess the Impreza had that too, but I found it way too small and too much $$.

Not sure what a theta engine is, but from what I could tell during a couple test drives, the 6 has plenty of power for me.  Right now I have a 01 Honda CRV, and although extremely reliable, the kms are getting up there and I just wanted a change.
 
Plus, the CRV is no rocket, and I've always found it quite loud inside, so the hp of the Sportage will be a nice change for me.  I never was thrilled with the CRVs looks, but at the time it was priced right and could get me and the dog to the mountains and back in one piece. 

Why did I choose the Sportage?? - price, looks, warranty, safety, reviews.   I'll post some pics for sure if anyone wants to see, but it sounds like it won't be here till early Jan. now....

[X-Traction]

It would be interesting to read a comparison of your CRV and the Sportage after you get it.  You must have taken a hit in cargo space.  That and the lack of a low range put us off the similar Tuscon.

[snelly]

Cargo space is still adequate for my needs.  I have one of those long roof top carriers, so that usually holds the skis in the winter and tents in the summer....  As long as there's enough room for a dog, and enough room for the odd trip to the airport with luggage, I'm happy.  We've only maxed out the CRV cargo a coupe times on summer road trips, but that's half the fun - jamming as much stuff as you can into the car 

The low range wasn't a 'make or break' for us.  The most off-road we ever do is rough or steep gravel roads, never really make it into the deep mud or rock canyons.

Ya, a comparison between the two would be interesting, I'lll do that for sure.

[Sienna Stylin']

The Sportage is currently our front runner. Like it much better than the 06 CR/V, and has better features than the Tucson.

I really don't see the "lack of space". Maybe if you fill your car with liquid, but with physical objects, the fold flat seats give you more space than the tumble forward seats used in the CR/V.

[Sienna Stylin']

Could you explain those features?...

As far as I have read, they have virtually the same features, just different in cosmetic appearance and type of ride...

Standard side and curtain airbags are the big obvious difference, completely unavailable on the Tucson. There were some other small differences, nothing I can think of right now.

[random006]

The following comparison from Edmunds show some differences but nothing huge.  I think that the cumulative differences define what sets the two vehicles apart.  One seems built for a little tougher going (Sportage) while the other is a little bit more plush and refined for highway driving (Tucson).

The U.S. price on the Sportage seems to be, on average, a little bit lower.


http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison;jsessionid=DTRX1qrJK7BkKWBmKYPl7RYgw071BJhJ2XBftpG979G8KWWqyVdb!488858440?styleid=100658278&styleid=100658213&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=features

[Sienna Stylin']

Well, we're not looking at the top model.  Price is a big concern for us, and so the 4 cylinder is a good possibility. In the Sportage, I get cruise, fog lamps, the aforementioned side airbags, none of which are possible in the Tucson 4 cylinder. There's a little more flexibility in the Kia features pricing/packages than the Hyundai.

I don't know how reliable that Edmunds page is for Canada, I see several differences. They report heated mirrors and alarm as N/A on the Sportage 4cyl, the airbags, etc. They have the running board as N/A for the Tucson, I don't believe that's the case either.

To me, the deal killer is the airbags. I don't care about an extra pocket here, a dial or a cupholder there. If you don't have side airbags, I'm not buying.