Kia Sportage

The fifth generation of the Kia Sportage dramatically improved the compact SUV by increasing cargo and interior space and adding the latest tech. 

The all-new Sportage improved on just about every aspect of the previous vehicle. For starters there's the looks, which are subjective to be sure but no doubt help this compact SUV stand out from the crowd. The same is true of the interior, which features high-tech touches like standard smartphone integration and noteworthy driver aids like parking sensors and automatic emergency braking. The Sportage is also considerably roomier, with a big jump in cargo space and more rear-seat legroom as well.

In addition to the standard gasoline engine, the Sportage is available as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid for those who want to drive an electric vehicle around town but still like to take impromptu road trips. If there's one downside to the Sportage it's that the standard engine still feels a little pokey compared to its competitors, and unfortunately, fuel economy trails them as well.

The fourth generation Kia Sportage is easy to use and comfortable enough for city driving. But its drawbacks hurt its chances against stiff competition. 

There's a lot to like about the fourth-generation Sportage. It's available with a choice of powertrains, including a turbocharged engine. There's good cargo space, and the rear seat is also accommodating to adults, as well as child booster seats. Up front, the Sportage offers up considerable tech for the time. In 2020, Kia revised the Sportage lineup with styling changes and expanded features, such as making Apple CarPlay® standard equipment across the board and adding adaptive cruise control as an option.

The Sportage also tends to cost a little less than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Just note that whether you choose the standard or turbocharged engine, the Sportage isn't quite as quick as its competition, and fuel economy lags as well.

The third generation Sportage is notable for being a bit sportier than the newer generations. An available turbocharged engine and smooth handling add some spice to this SUV.

The Sportage's swept-back headlights give it an aggressive appearance, and under the hood, Kia offered a turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower to back up those looks, and the suspension was also suitably tuned for better handling. Inside, this Kia pre-dates modern technology such as smartphone integration. However, there is a USB port for plugging in your phone, along with an available touchscreen, which was expanded to the entire lineup for the final 2016 model year.

Just note that this generation Sportage has a couple of drawbacks compared to its primary competitors of the time, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It's smaller, which makes it more maneuverable around town but also means it's short on passenger and cargo space. That sporty handling means the ride is on the firm side. And the engines don't offer the fuel economy of its rivals either.