Overview:
Slow down, you move too fast…gotta make the morning last. Remember that song from the past. Well, that’s the feeling I got from this weeks Kia Sportage SUV. After a week in a Hummer the Kia felt like a Cadillac for the first day. Kick back and relax after the brief reminder of my National Guard days when we played weekend warrior. Fooling around with half-tracks and the like. That feeling returned some years later during my Naval Air days when we’d step out of our military aircraft into the docile and luxurious comfort of our personal automobiles. For many of you that picture will bring back memories for you as well. Remember hurrying back to the barracks to slip into those civies and “hit the beach” before they could find extra duty to screw up your weekend? Those were also the days when some people put signs on their lawns that read “Dogs and Sailors Keep off the Grass”. We weren’t all that bad. Can you guess what year that was?
Hint: those were the days when you only needed guns and rocket launchers on military vehicles and road rage was played out in places where you “expected” hostility. Times have really changed. Today, the military are wearing “baby blue” helmets and civilians are wearing military fatigues. I think we should reinstate the draft and help a few more Private Ryan’s mature before their time.
In any case, the year was 1959 and Elvis was almost unknown except for his hometown of Memphis where I was stationed. Cars were big, rough and noisy and by comparison this Kia is a pussycat, but a welcomed one I have to admit. Even the simplest of cars today give us reliability we could only dream of back then. The engineering is much better as you’d expect, and that means greater efficiency of operation. We really do have it much easier today. I think dad must have felt the same in his new 1946 Chevrolet after driving model T’s.
For all its simplicity, this Kia Sportage looks like other more expensive SUV’s just like the competition noted here. And for the differences in size and power you get from full size Utilities, the price tags of these mini SUV’s may be just enough to grab your attention. The mini sport utilities are aimed at buyers who don’t need the hauling and trailering capabilities of their larger relatives.
The 1999 Kia Sportage is available in six trims: 2-Door convertible, 4-Door, and 4-Door EX, each in either 2WD or 4WD. I tested the 4-door 2WD model.
I’ve driven most of those listed here and the race is too close to call. You should drive them all if you want or need a smaller, more affordable SUV.
`The competition:
Chevrolet Tracker $13,635 – $15,935, Honda CR-V $18,550 – $20,450, Isuzu Amigo $15,810 – $20,250, Jeep Wrangler $14,345 – $20,135, Subaru Forester $18,695 – $22,495, Suzuki Grand Vitara $13,499 – $18,999, Toyota RAV4 $15,678 – $17,778.
Good News:
Roomy and solid feel, comfortable, decent handling, smooth ride and affordable
Bad News:
Radio controls are too small, engine too small and has to work hard, poor mileage.
Standard Equipment:
2.0 liter inline 4-cylinder 130 horsepower engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, power windows, locks & mirrors, exterior-mounted spare tire carrier, theft-deterrent system, dual cupholders, split folding rear seat and tilt steering wheel.
Gas Stats:
19 City and 23 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $14,795, and with the addition of 4-speed auto trans, air conditioning, allow wheels, Stereo with CD player the total came to $18,224.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
