2012 Kia Sportage

Because of a fun-to-drive nature, the 2012 Kia Sportage is often a realistic replacement for other top small crossover SUVs out there. For 2012, every Kia Sportage gets revised suspension tuning for improved handing. Kia has added more sound insulation to cut back noise. LX models get standard 17-inch alloy wheels and low-rolling-resistance tires. EX and SX models now come standard with Kia’s Uvo hands-free interface for cellphones and portable music players.

Every personality have their character flaws, though. In such cases, it’s really a ride quality that might be too harsh for a lot of people’s tastes. The interior’s relative absence of cargo and passenger room compared to competitors such as the Chevy Equinox, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 are often a problem for many people buyers. Kia’s own Sorento can be worthwhile considering for those which has a need for greater space.

Without having this sort of need, the 2012 Kia Sportage can be a strong choice as compared to SUVs sticking with the same interior volume such as the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-7 and Volkswagen Tiguan. While all have their own strong points, the 2012 Kia Sportage features a unique personality which will very well just win you over.

2012 Kia Sportage SX SUV

The 2012 Kia Sportage is really a compact crossover SUV with seating for five. These days there are a complete of four trim levels available, including Base, LX, EX and SX.

Standard features about the base model include 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning, a tilt-only tire, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, full power accessories, an outing computer, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a four-speaker sound system with satellite radio, a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack with an iPod/USB audio interface.

2012 Kia Sportage LX SUV

Stepping up to the Sportage LX adds 17-inch alloy wheels, turn signals integrated into the exterior mirrors, tinted rear windows and keyless entry. The actual package adds rear parking sensors, a rear spoiler, roof rails, a tilt-and-telescoping tyre and floor mats.

The Sportage EX includes the particular package in conjunction with 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, foglights, dual-zone automatic heating and cooling, a power driver seat, upgraded cloth upholstery, leather-wrapped tyre and shift knob, an easier-folding rear seat, a rearview camera, the Uvo voice-activated cellular phone and audio interface, along with an upgraded audio system with HD radio, digital music storage along with a small touchscreen interface. The EX Premium package adds a panoramic sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, the SX’s upgraded gauges, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a cooled driver seat with an auto-dimming mirror.

2012 Kia Sportage EX SUV

The SX model boosts the EX’s standard equipment a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition/entry, upgraded gauges, leather upholstery and distinctive exterior and interior styling details. The SX Premium package is similar to the EX version.

Most versions with the 2012 Kia Sportage are powered using a 2.4-liter inline-4-cylinder engine which causes 176 hp and 168 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual may be the only transmission offered on base models, while all the versions feature a six-speed automatic with manual shift feature.

Front-wheel drive is standard on all Sportage models and all-wheel drive is offered for an option on just about the camp model. In Edmunds performance tests, a front-wheel-drive Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine and automatic accelerated to 60 mph at a standstill in 9.5 seconds, a normal time for this class. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with the automatic and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive drops those to 21/28/24.

The SX model gets to be a stronger turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that thumps out an outstanding 260 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Estimated gas mileage is 22/29/24 with front-wheel drive and 21/26/23 with AWD.

Standard security measures on all 2012 Kia Sportage models include front-seat side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags, active front head restraints, antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control, together with hill descent and hill start control.

The 2012 Kia Sportage’s interior incorporates a pleasing combination of complex and organic shapes to generate a more interesting look than most competitors manage. There may be a substantial amount of plastic during the entire cabin, but also for the greater degree, it’s well textured and adequately padded where passengers generally get in touch.

Leading seats are nicely contoured and provides good comfort, with adequate headroom and legroom. The 60/40-split rear seat is set up for 3 passengers, however it is tight enough that it is just passable for 2 adults. The belief that this seat lacks the ability to recline and slide fore and aft when they do in several competitors is really a a weakness.

The interior’s other major shortcoming is its relative not enough cargo space as compared to some other small crossover SUVs. Behind the spine seats are just 26.1 cubic feet of space, which grows to 54.6 cubic feet with all the rear seatbacks laid flat. To put that last number in perspective, that makes it about 15 cubic feet smaller compared to the cargo holds of both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

While the 2012 Kia Sportage is actually no means a tall four-door racecar, is still relatively fun to drive. The 2 main.4-liter engine makes enough get-up-and-go to be intriguing and the six-speed automatic transmission is effective in fully automatic and manual shift modes. The turbocharged engine is energetic, though its impressive gas mileage numbers are predicated on your being conservative with the throttle.