Kia Sportage, in need of info

It's a shame Mike Harding has gone, he has done heaps in the Victorian High Country with his Sportage & would say that they are far from being a 'softroader'. He would also have known fuel figures etc.
They were originally designed for the Korean military.

Fuel economy is about 10/100.They do have low range, the downside to them is they are regarded as death traps in an accident. See the dog and lemon guide for more info on this.
But they are a reasonable off roader.
Cheers Pete

Also used to be another bloke on here, garyinoz, who had one lifted and modified. Apparently quite a significant beast in the bush.

Jim.

I have had 2 Kia Sportage vehicles, 1 swb (1996) & 1 lwb (2000) I still have the 2000. They are very strong, have a full ladder chassis and are excellent 4wd's except for a low ground clearance. They were originally built for the Korean army as a utility jeep type vehicle and then had a 'shiny' body added for the civilian market. The engine is mostly a Mazda (Ford) 626 but the brakes and a few other bits are American. If you need ground clearance I would suggest that you get something else but if you just want it for outback roads I think it would be great. Check my profile pics and you will see my wife's 2000 model.

I have a friend who travelled with us across the Simpson Desert French Line in a 2001 Sportage. Issues were:
#1 Engine Check dashlight kept coming on on the rough roads - ended up ignoring it.
#2 The vacuum operated front hubs refused to disengage, so it either had to stay in 4wd, or we listened to the gears crashing - had to deactivate the 4wd system to get home
#3 Clearance was not enough - needed pulling over a few dunes because it bottomed out in the sand and wouldn't go forward or backwards. I had his water and other heavy stuff in my truck.
#4 Hard to get strong tyres. One of his split a sidewall from running over a bump.
#5 His fuel usage Ood- Bville was 104 litres. My diesel 79series used 92 litres.

He likes the vehicle, but rarely uses it offroad. Its a softroader with low range.

I have one (2007 model) but its fuel consumption is about the same as our '97 GXL turbo diesel Landcruiser! - ie not great. Bought new and believed the "ticket" fuel consumption - this was misleading which i challenged at the first service and they didn't really care - varies per driver, climate etc. I admit I drive mostly with a/c on, multiple short trips daily. Haven't had a chance to give it some real 4x4 testing but love the traction control. its a good vehicle to drive on the road and on dirt tracks, would buy another if I had to sell. It is a real 4x4 but is a small vehicle not designed to carry heavy loads, doesn't have major ground clearance required for some offroad terrain, and doesn't have a second shifter - mine is auto, just a push button to engage 4wd. It would be capable in sand dunes, dirt tracks, mud etc and could rock climb but articulation and ground clearance would be limiting factors unless you modify.

MM

thanks heaps for the response, what other car could you recommend other than the sportage. was hopping for medium size 4x4 thats able to tackle some rough terrain. and if possible around 10ltr/100km or under (under is better). all this under $10,000

Very underated 4WD (up to the 2003??? model I believe - i.e. the old shape both long body and short, I don't know about the the current shape.)

Full ladder chassis, low range box, Mazda engine, transmission is from a light truck, limited slip diff and in general very capable. Definitely best value 4WD available. Will go most places others will go. Suffers from ground clearance being a little low but stick a set of 235 mud tyres and get a lift from Ironman suspension and this will help a little. Engine is a little underpowered in sand but does very well otherwise.

Fuel consumption is average. I get around 480Kms from my tank which I believe is a 55L but don't quote me on that.

My only real complaint is that the ergonomics inside leave a lot to be desired.


Cheers

Andrews