Lineup
Kia offers the Korean-built Sportage in three main trim levels: LX, LX-V6, and EX. The least expensive model is the LX with front-wheel drive, which includes a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The base price for the LX is $16,490, including a $590 destination charge. Power door locks, windows, and mirrors; a six-speaker sound system with a CD player; a tilt steering wheel; a flat-folding front passenger seat; and a reclining 60/40 folding rear seat come standard. Also included are roof rails, rear privacy glass, 16-inch alloy wheels, an eight-way adjustable driver's seat, and a front skid plate. Air conditioning is an $800 option on LX models with front-wheel drive and the five-speed manual, and is standard equipment for all other models. Also optional is a Sportmatic four-speed, manually interactive, automatic transmission for $1,600. Four-wheel drive is available for $2,000 and includes the automatic transmission. Other options include carpeted floor mats ($75), a cargo tray ($75), a rear spoiler ($150), and a trailer hitch ($340). Next up is the LX-V6, priced at $19,090, which includes manual air conditioning and the Sportmatic automatic transmission. The LX V6 also adds a 2.7-liter six-cylinder engine, cruise control, 235/60 B.F. Goodrich Traction T/A tires, and a metallic finish to the center of the instrument panel. Four-wheel drive capability can be added for $1,200; otherwise, LX-V6 options mirror those on the LX.Topping the list of Kia Sportage models is the EX V6, which comes with a power sunroof, heated and color-keyed side mirrors, foglights, and body-color fender flares and body side moldings. Also standard are an MP3 player, keyless entry, an anti-theft alarm, a trip computer, a cargo cover and cargo net, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The front-wheel drive 2005 Kia Sportage EX V6 is priced at $20,589; the four-wheel-drive system requires a $1,400 premium. Also offered is the EX Luxury Package, which for $1,300 provides leather upholstery, heated front seats, a six-disc CD changer, a subwoofer, a Homelink universal garage door opener, and body-color bumpers.What's more impressive is the long list of standard safety features. In an effort to make the 2005 Kia Sportage safe for all passengers, each model comes complete with front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, a stability control system, and a traction control system. That's a lot of security for a starting price of less than $17,000.