2009 Kia Sportage

2009 Kia Sportage Price Range: $16,695 - $23,400

Performance
When it comes to horsepower, the typical SUV packs quite a punch and will knock the Sportage down a few rungs. On the other hand, keep in mind that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums.

Handling
With its tighter turning circle, the Kia Sportage is definitely sprier than the average SUV, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; however, remember that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The average SUV's engine is tremendously larger than the Kia Sportage's. Remember that bigger engines may use more gasoline than smaller ones. Torque equals pickup, and the typical SUV will have picked up and gone by the time the Sportage finally gets moving.

Utility
The average SUV will quite certainly prove more practical than the Sportage for those of you with frequent kid-cargo. The average SUV is a better choice than the Kia Sportage with respect to hauling capacity, especially if you frequently need to carry a lot of cargo or large pets. Towing is considerably more the average SUV's forte than it is the Kia Sportage's.

Convenience
You will quite certainly have to visit your friendly gas station more often with the Kia Sportage than with the average SUV.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Kia Sportage offers a bit more head room than the typical SUV, there honestly isn't much of a difference. While the rear of the average SUV provides a bit more head- and leg-room than the Kia Sportage, there frankly isn't much of a difference.

Dimensions
The average SUV is substantially heavier than the Kia Sportage. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the average SUV than the Kia Sportage because of its bigger tank. The Kia Sportage and the average SUV compete for the same parking spaces. The average SUV's longer wheelbase will result in a smoother, more stable ride; on the other hand, the Kia Sportage may give a more maneuverable feel in daily traffic.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. The Kia Sportage is significantly cheaper to get to the dealership than the typical SUV. As far as fuel economy, the Kia Sportage is a bit better than the average SUV, but not by much. The average SUV is tremendously more expensive than the Kia Sportage as far as MSRP.

Warranty
The basic after-sale protection that comes with the average SUV isn't quite as generous as the Sportage's.