New 2010 Kia Sportage

Sporting a V-6 option and plenty of interior room, the 2010 Kia Sportage compact SUV is a great value buy for the budget-conscious consumer.

The 2010 Kia Sportage is available in LX and EX trim levels, in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations and equipped with either a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline-4 engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a 173-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 coupled to a four-speed automatic. EPA estimated fuel economy ratings range between 18-20 mpg in the city and 23-25 mpg on the highway.

Rivaling the Jeep Compass and Ford Escape, the 2010 Kia Sportage shares the same lineage as the Hyundai Tucson. New standard features for 2010 include a visor vanity mirror, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat and, for automatic transmission models, an EcoMinder light that illuminates to let you know you are driving efficiently. Resting atop 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, the 2010 Kia Sportage has a top-hinged tailgate with a flip-up window and a spare tire mounted under the floor. Plenty of comfort and convenience options are offered, including heated mirrors, fog lamps, sunroof, front windshield de-icer and a rear spoiler to help give the Sportage a sporty look.

Inside, the 2010 Kia Sportage seats up to five occupants on standard cloth seats or optional leather upholstery. Power windows and locks, keyless entry, cruise control, a six-speaker audio system with a CD player and satellite radio and a USB jack are all standard offerings, while you can opt for heated seats, a navigation system and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift. The Sportage also features a unique height-adjustable center console and, with Kia’s Drop & Fold rear seating system, the Sportage offers up to 66.6 cubic feet of cargo volume. In addition, the front passenger seat can fold flat to accommodate longer items.

The 2010 Kia Sportage is equipped with a suite of standard safety technologies, including front-seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control.

Affordable and loaded with plenty of standard safety features and interior technology, the 2010 Kia Sportage compact SUV is definitely worth considering, especially if you don’t have deep pockets.