MotorWeek | Retro Review: 1997 Kia Sportage

The Sportage is currently the oldest nameplate in Kia's lineup. To celebrate the release of a new generation, we take a look back at this 1997 model (featuring a 20-year younger Brian Robinson).

[@dcjohnson2490]

No matter how old the reviews are, John Davis's presentation on each vehicle never changes, that energy, passion and knowledge he displays has stayed the same in the 37 years MotorWeek has been in production. He could be reviewing a vehicle I don't like and I'll still be entertained, he's just that good!

[@drchillish]

Can't get enough of these retro reviews

[@counkev]

WTF. 1997 and a driver's knee airbag. Wow... These haven't started gaining traction until 2010ish.

[@SmangItDrums]

+counkev And yet, no passenger air bag. WTF is right. Haha.

[@hakeemsd70m]

+counkev And all those airbags couldn't stop the 1997 Sportage from getting just a Marginal rating in the IIHS frontal offset crash test. The front tire actually pushed through the floorboard by the driver's left foot during the crash!

[@juelzm149]

Holy smokes! I had no idea these had knee airbags!! Mind officially blown...

[@elcanbu5610]

I was blown away too

[@mubd1234]

My knees were blown too

[@markb3756]

@@mubd1234 actually your knees WOULDN'T have been blown in this. 😉

[@Trance88]

My dad bought a '98 in 2000. He somehow managed to flip it and totaled it back in '01 It was definitely a nice little ride. It was the first car any of my parents owned with a CD player.

[@candyman3108]

I learned to drive on a '00 Sportage when I was 11 years old haha so this was a trip down memory lane for me

[@marlon2k9]

I learned how to drive with a Sportage too. My mom's was an '01 2WD... in Michigan. 2WD... in Michigan. Needless to say those were some fun winters. Poor thing died because of an accident just a few years ago. It was still kicking with almost 300k.

[@sleeksilver]

A friend of the family has had two. He rolled his '97 twice and walked away without a scratch. He then got a 2000 and still has it today with 230,000 miles. He loves that damn thing!

[@abrickfullafist]

I've got a 2002 Sportage. Bought it at 76k miles. I'm at 179k now. It's a dinosaur but I LOVE mine. She's ugly and beat up, but I'll drive her til the wheels fall off...Then I'll jam em back on and keep truckin. First gens are THE SHIT. It's never left me stranded... Recently.

[@WitchyWhale]

Why are compact suv's from the 90's much more interesting?

[@SpencerTaylorOnline]

The 90's CRV was more interesting too. It was a time when every vehicle didn't look like a copy of itself.

[@2Kriss2Kross]

+Spencer Taylor It was also a time when compact SUV's were actually compact. The original CRV and RAV4 were way better than they are now.

[@SpencerTaylorOnline]

+Mr. Hand definitely. The first generation CRV and RAV4 were the best, IMHO.

[@ezradestefano4019]

Because we're old now. :-(

[@Del-Canada]

I drive a 2005 Sportage and I actually love the look of the older models.

[@mr.c493]

I guess the little Kia proved to be a good car. there are plenty still around these days. impressive!

[@keikoandleila2600]

Mr. Céspedes I have one it is a bit rusty but runs like a top and never left me stranded.

[@RoadCone411]

Funny I was just saying to a friend the other day that for a relatively small volume product, you still see quite a few of these first-gen Sportages around, albeit many with rust and in less than perfect condition. But I can't remember the last time I saw a Geo/Chevy Tracker, and even the first-gen RAV4s are becoming harder to find.

[@halohunter5217]

This one uses a Mazda platform and parts.

[@JoseMunoz-dg1gv]

Its 2019 i own one and it runs just fine

[@happygilmore5948]

I don't see any first generation ones, but I own a second generation Sportage and occasionally see other cars that look almost exactly like mine.

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Excellent car and design, mom had one of those in a purple-gray color scheme that looked absolutely stunning with chromed rims

[@unknownunknowns]

A 1997 Sportage would cost 22K today compared to the current one of 23K

[@MariaJusta]

I have one, year 1995, automátic , 4wd full. with 80. 000 miles only. I have it like new, never has a crash and all it work very fine and the air is powerfull. Im in Uruguay and believe is the only one in this perfect conditions!

[@Trussme96]

Every single Sportage I've seen was missing at least one door handle.

[@palebeachbum]

TyranitarComedian That can be said for any early 90s Camry too.

[@Trussme96]

palebeachbum Not a broken handle. The entire assembly came out and left a gaping hole in the door.

[@palebeachbum]

TyranitarComedian You can't open the door on either. I think that's kinda the point.

[@Trussme96]

palebeachbum Yeah. But at least the camry will keep warm in the winter.

[@ms3173]

Old toyotas too

[@bennettchason1804]

Guess what else is prehistoric, those transitions!

[@davidrivero7943]

Owner of a 2000 conv. & there nothing like the newer ones , it feels cheap but is great around the towns traffic.

[@wilburfudd]

I had a 2001 version of this that was a 4x4 5 speed manuel and i loved it, I only sold it 3 years ago since it was not gonna pass smoge, I loved it and so did the person that bought it, they sped off with it with the windows up ( the air-conditioner worked great ), for it not passing smog it needed a new fuel pump and one of the spark plugs had oil on it but it never over heated or needed antifree.

[@JoseMunoz-dg1gv]

Its 2019 i own a 2000 kia sportage and it still runs like brand new

[@yusriyusoff5495]

Jose Munoz same here this car was amazing

[@earlscheib7754]

2002 here, runs just fine

[@jayd515]

@@yusriyusoff5495 do you guys know where to find the service manual for it or any useful information for the car owner? cheers!!

[@kirbyswarp]

We had a 99 model with the automatic for a short time. I remember it being SLOW.

[@cress7572]

+kirbyswarp We had a blue 1999 Ford Expedition (Eddie Bauer trim) for quite some time, I remember it being trustworthy, spacious, convenient, and decent in the speed department. I rarely see these older Kia Sportages around, it's sad to say, but cars of these age typically end up in the scrappers.

[@kirbyswarp]

Sean James Yup, but i like them more than today's cars. Even something like the Civic is a yacht in terms of size.

[@halflife103]

slow is what ive heard about them. But if i had one itd be for exploring the bush

[@carexpertandy]

LOL had no idea that a vehicle with steering wheel and driver knee airbag was produced, but no passenger airbag. I first noticed that this was the first vehicle to offer a knee airbag while watching the IIHS video of the 98 Sportage today. I first noticed knee airbags on Chrysler vehicles in the 2000s.

[@ottodob]

I always liked these when they came out, even though they were kias. I also really liked the X-90, but I may be alone on that one.

[@JackBandicootsBunker]

+Samwise Drogod Not alone at all, the X-90 was a unique car I would own. Spotted a red one near my house. It is fresh-looking, even today, and even if it failed miserably in the marketplace.

[@butterflylovenj7300]

The X-90's were super cute.

[@FirstnameLastname-ni9uh]

it needs a 2in lift and some bigger tires

[@gmman010983]

This was really popular with girls back then, my friend had one and lets just say she was loyal to it as it was her first car regardless of it's many shortcomings.

[@Midwestside318]

When I heard it has a 2.0 engine, I immediately thought, "supercharged K20 or K24 swap."

[@seansean681]

Looking like a miniature Isuzu Trooper.

[@silvaninglin4803]

Lmao you're the first person who also sees this. Pepole just call me crazy

[@Acc0rd79]

I still remember the Kia sportage commercial of the 90's saying something about an accountant and locking him up in the trunk or something? Kia/Hyundai have come leap years since then and sell very good today!

[@MrGoldenwaffler]

At t Yeah. At the expense of all those suckers who bought all those excels, ponies, sonatas, sephias and countless other shitty rolling garbagemobiles.

[@Acc0rd79]

Terrence Gold you gotta start somewhere man.

[@JackBandicootsBunker]

+Terrence Gold I assume you are still forgiving GM. They were fucking around for 30 YEARS.

[@ilwol1004]

World's VERY FIRST compact SUV

[@sampark1868]

i would say that that would belong to the suzuki samurai.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

Bronco II

[@mattdavis9601]

What about the original WW2 Jeep?

[@mr.c493]

Wow these are still on the road!!! I wish they would make suvs with a manual transmission

[@AndresSalazarAutos]

I believe this had the Mazda designed but built by Kia F2 engine...

[@Roshake77]

1:40 I want that shirt, so 90's

[@TheVintagetamiya]

Has a bad design leaking fuel injectors that can drip onto the down pipe and you guessed it can catch on fire.Happened to quite a few.

[@brianfromzirconsecurity1576]

except the injectors and intake are not over the exhaust at all, nor are the injectors known for leaking

[@gavinvalentino6002]

"down pipe" on a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder with a cast iron exhaust manifold.

[@chadharmon5716]

Still have a 2000 sporty in the family everything I think has been replaced at least once lol also Kia borrowed that 2.0 from Mazda that's right it's a Mazda engine

[@senorcartmenez8902]

I think you mean Mitsubishi.

[@sleeksilver]

Cameron Madera Nope. It was Mazda sourced motor....

[@halohunter5217]

Kia was part of the Ford/Mazda alliance at one time.

[@edvinneluis2635]

@@senorcartmenez8902 no it's a Mazda 2.0 engine.

[@Ithinkiwill66]

The Kias are sure nicer these days, but I still like the 2009 Kia Rondos, the car was nice to drive, and very easy to use buttons, etc.

[@tenofdiamonds6440]

"How much drop shadow do you want on this font?" "Yes."

[@gavinvalentino6002]

*~dork~*

[@sutherlandA1]

Was built on the platform of the Mazda Bongo van

[@emchammer1815]

I leased this model and year. Nothing but problems at first. But eventually, it turned out to be a decent ride. Surprisingly comfortable ride for a cheap sport ute.

[@djkenny1202]

Very capable on and off road. Not excessive like many other offerings of the time. Great alternative to the Suzuki an Chevrolet Sidekick and Tracker models. Sensible, practical capable, reliable, well made, and a great price. Perfectly adequate drivetrain for it's mission. I think a 4WD without any power options would be cool to have, less stuff to go wrong.. I is like power locks and windows.. I think they offered them that way? Maybe only in 2WD? Anyway, I like the looks and packaging well. Great interior for a smaller SUV, too.

[@thetreblerebel]

I think KIA is THE best bargain is cars today. Very affordable and modern every year

[@Krzrrazrrokr]

The stereo was optional??

[@tytotheler92]

I still see alot of these on the road. Rotted to hell, and I'm sure unsafe, but they keep trucking.

[@emeyer6963]

Is that a young Brian Robinson?

[@davidaubin3902]

Yes it is. That's also the year he started being the road test producer until about 2011 when Ben Davis took over.

[@kurt8327]

So cool these had a 2-speed t-case

[@davidaubin3902]

Like all first Kia's like this 1, the 01 Rio, and the Optima, they weren't good quality. The 2005 one was a big turnaround for the sportage.

[@hakeemsd70m]

The 2004 Kia Amanti was an excellent car, with one serious flaw: lack of power. That was fixed with the 2007 Amanti. I still see these cars today in 2019.

[@williamlangston2143]

Is there a 1998 Kia Sephia review Motorweek?

[@damilolaakanni]

Finally! A Sportage that isn't ugly (second and third gen weren't bad, though).

[@MrCarguy2]

3:06 "agile and stable" Lol

[@exxusdrugstore300]

As it almost lifts a front wheel at every turn

[@erichoskins8812]

Ahh but how are the brakes? I've heard that they wore out after 3k miles

[@JoshsGadgetsandMore]

Oil pressure gauge?

[@malikcbarnett]

Gave away the Moto-Man question :/

[@erich84502ify]

But does it have AM and FM

[@larrypalacios509]

I have a 97 kia Sportster does anybody know where the fuel pump shut off safety switch is on an automatic we really really be helpful

[@s4socceritalia4s]

RETRO REVIEW THE 1999 PORSCHE 911 C2 !!!

[@tomjones1727]

Stop SPAMMING. This is the comment section for the video above.. a 1997 Kia. Not an open forum. smh

[@cereid85cr]

You don't see them on the road today or a used car lot or even a lemon lot...hummm!

[@elilevine2410]

If it’s cheap it ain’t good, if it’s good it ain’t cheap… Did I see a manual transmission in it???

[@InsertFlashyName]

Came VERY close to buying a used Sportage 4dr hardtop 5sp when I was younger until the 300+lb dealer launched himself into the passenger seat before the test drive and rocked the whole thing side to side right in front of my parents and scared them half to death! Safe to say I didn't buy it

[@whitb003]

+InsertFlashyName lol, he should have sat that test drive out.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Biggest POS that we ever owned (and we've owned over 130 vehicles not counting bikes...). Ours was a '98 2 door soft top. It was a cute,comfy,and fun little ute after we put 30" tall all terrain tires....but it was about as reliable as a candle in a hurricane (this was early 00's when it was fairly fresh),LOL!

[@farism5313]

Its good to see a throwback like that but the sad part that u were boring back then and u still do Its 2016 for god sake !!! Cant u adapt to today reviews ??? Have u watched KBB and AutoGuide reviews ????

[@dentonarmstrong7470]

But yet you're here watching and commenting lol

[@whitb003]

+fwirs I personally like Motorweek's review style. They don't have to copy everyone else, they have been around since the early 80's and are still going strong. They still have an actual cable tv show as well. You have the right to your opinion though.

[@blackprobegt2000]

Shut up

[@P.A.C.E.automotive]

Welcome to the swamp! Aiiiieeee!!!

[@BIGGIEDEVIL]

Such a badly built suv seen many with 150k that where falling apart everything from gas tanks to the transmissions

[@garretrocha8]

150k is alot of miles for a kia. keep that in mind

[@kevinW826]

Driver looks like Shia Labouf

[@willbill808]

That thing needs stiffer rear shocks pretty bad

[@Dankcatvacs]

about as much power as A BRONCO 2 V6

[@TommyboyGTP]

These things were such piles of garbage. Sure, the first few years they were fine, but once out of warranty they just fell apart and rusted out just like most imports that came before it.

[@SearchEast2069]

+Tommy TwoGun Well if we are talking about Hyundai's 10 year warranty that's not too bad. Most cars have pretty bad rust after 10 years, especially here in the north east. But I will admit early model Hyundai's and Kia's are more prone to rot than other cars. However their engines are pretty darn bulletproof like the 1.6 four banger in the Accent.

[@garretrocha8]

19 years later and still no major issues

[@gavinvalentino6002]

"...like most imports that came before it..." Oh, you mean those Subarus amd Hondas and Mazdas and Toyotas and Mitsubishis that completely flipped the U.S. (+ world) car market on its ass in the early '80s and nearly destroyed the Big 3 in terms of quality & reliability & value for the dollar, and did so for decades to come? Stop taking yourself so seriously when you're so blatantly clueless.

[@TommyboyGTP]

@@gavinvalentino6002 HaHaHaHaHa you so funny

[@YungCressida]

I think these would of sold better if they had a V6

[@djkenny1202]

+CoffeePuke It is a little much for a small ute like this.

[@YungCressida]

+djkenny They can always make a small V6 like a 2.5

[@djkenny1202]

I just do not think it would be that much of a draw with this market segment. There is also bigger displacement 4 cylinders now with a 2.5, like our Forester, that have plenty of grunt. It would push the price point on a vehicle intended to be below 14 grand.

[@halohunter5217]

2nd gen Vitara with 2.5L probably did sell better.

[@luvr381]

Rust.

[@SpencerTaylorOnline]

130 HP? Whoa, Momma that's scary. I wouldn't call it a Sport Utility. More like a Possibility of Utility... Make sure you have a friend along to tow you out! At least it had, I believe, true 4WD. For the money, they were good deals, assuming you limited use to on road only.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

+Spencer Taylor The whole family and a small caravan (without additional brakes) behind the car over the German autobahn and ;then over the Alps, was no problem at all.... in a Beetle with 42 hp. 130hp is more than enough and anyone who tries to tell you differently, is trying to earn money from your pocket.

[@SpencerTaylorOnline]

+Ronald de Rooij wow, that's horrifying. The Beetle was a death trap to begin with, it also weighed almost nothing compared to modern cars. Again, the car was frightfully unsafe. Having a reasonable amount of racing and performance driving experience in the real world, your argument makes no sense at any level.

[@alexcast548]

I know this comment is old and all but i actually have one of these same year white auto with 182xxx miles and with 2 bald front tires and with 4wd on low and trans set to 1 that little truck has climb up some nasty inclines i had it at angles that i thought it would tip the side mirror was scraping the ground and that little car pulled out of that rut all i done is brakes and oil changes in the past 3 years and still running cherry this is one good little car

[@halohunter5217]

The current Suzuki Jimny has a 100hp engine, does just fine.

[@latinethicalhacker]

When compact SUVs were utilitarian and usable. These crossover things of today are just fucking laughable and girly.

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

Not bad, good on gas

[@sonytiho4723]

4x4 kompak

[@wojtanRce]

Mazda engine :p

[@AlexS-ei7kp]

Sport UTE!! Lol fucking 90s...

[@rummimg]

Still worse than a Toyota and Honda today. Didn't see any of these drivers in California

[@SnarkyRC]

They were all over Floriduh

[@VaunShiz]

oh my God that is ugly , never seen one in person, I wonder why

[@crownr0yalonice]

+matthew von you must live under a rock?

[@Clickbaiters]

One of the worst vehicles owned. This just goes to show you that even though " car testers" think a ride a decent, common sense should really be used when purchasing vehicles like this. everything in the undercarriage rusted away. The rear brake drum design was bad and servicing was ass breaker. Front sway bar bushings failed all the time and were impossible to find, from what I recall, you had to buy the actual sway bar from the dealer which included the bushings. The fuel pump failed and was a complete NIGHTMARE to replace due to the massive rust issues. The 4x4 system failed and it was always enabled in "hi." Truck was slow and fuel economy terrible. I could go on but this is why Kia still scares some people far away.

[@pvherr]

Awful

[@Aggrressor92]

Back when Kia was actually 💩

[@MeowJW]

SHITBOX

[@jayyoutube8790]

I see not much has changed. Still cheap horrible automobiles