2007 Kia Sportage Review: An Affordable, Reliable, and Very Basic SUV

The 2007 Kia Sportage is more comfortable than it looks, it’s more affordable than you might guess, and it’s easy to maintain. It’s also really basic, as the entry-level LX doesn’t even include air conditioning as a standard feature. But, with Kelley Blue Book prices starting at under $5,000, it’s a hard deal to beat.

Is the 2007 Kia Sportage a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – It’s a decent budget SUV. It’s a hard vehicle to get excited about, but there’s nothing really wrong with it, either.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – While it’s not the biggest compact SUV on the road, intelligent interior design makes it feel bigger than it is.
• Reliability 7/10 – Major repairs are few and far between, but life expectancy comes in on the lower end, at around 150,000 to 200,000.
• Safety 7/10 – The standard safety feature list is generous, but crash test scores are mediocre.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – An i4 model averages 23/28 miles to the gallon, but you probably want the V6, which does 19/25.
• Value 8/10 – The 2007 Sportage is priced fairly, but you’re giving up a lot of conveniences for a low price.

What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Kia Sportage?

Consumer Reports were impressed by the Sportage’s refined powertrain, high-end fit and finish, and roomy interior, calling the SUV “well-rounded.” They weren’t so impressed by the mediocre fuel economy and long braking distance.

Kelley Blue Book named the 2007 Kia Sportage one of hte most comfortable compact SUVs for the price, praising the vehicle’s powerful, smooth-driving V6 engine. They note that the SUV does feel a bit cheap around the edges in contrast to comparable Toyotas and Hondas.

Edmunds found the 2007 Kia Sportage stylish and well-designed, praising the long list of standard safety features. They note that the SUV is a bit underpowered compared to some of its competitors.

What Common Problems Does the 2007 Kia Sportage Have?

The 2007 Kia Sportage has generated just 72 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Airbag issues are the most common, with drivers reporting the airbag warning lights staying on without explanation.

A handful of drivers have reported burning, melting wires, and even electrical fires, with a few drivers even calling in the fire department to put out the flames.

A handful of drivers have reported their power steering failing in wet or cold conditions. This likely has to do with slipping timing belts, an issue that may occur as a result of rain and snow exposure. But, it’s difficulty to say for certain without an official explanation on the matter.

The 2007 Sportage has only been recalled twice, both times for faulty brake lights.

How Long Will the 2007 Kia Sportage Last?

Kia Sportage drivers have reported passing 250,000 miles in their SUVs, but 200,000 is a far more likely life expectancy. With excellent care you might squeeze another 25,000-50,000 miles out of the Sportage, but 200,000 is the number you should be betting on when considering whether it’s worth your money.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $381, with the most expensive common fixes being new turbocharger assemblies, which can cost up to $2,580, and fuel sending units, starting at around $1,206.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2007 Kia Sportage is fairly basic. A luxury package adds a 6-disc CD changer, but standard equipment in either trim is limited to a CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers.

Safety technology in the 2007 Sportage is better than you might expect of a budget SUV from this model year. You get anti-lock brakes as a standard feature, plus electronic stability control and traction control.

Is the 2007 Kia Sportage a Good Value?

The 2007 Kia Sportage is a good value, but it’s pretty basic. The entry-level LX typically lists at around $4,909, while a high-end EX goes for around $5,529. The Sportage is a fairly basic SUV overall, but it’s fuel-efficient, low-maintenance, and priced fairly.

Before you buy, you will probably want to shop around. You might be able to find a Hyundai Santa Fe or, if you’re lucky, a CR-V in the same price range.

What are the Different Models of the 2007 Kia Sportage?

The 2007 Kia Sportage is offered in just two trim levels, being the base LX and the high-end EX.

With the entry-level LX you’re getting:

• Cloth seating
• Anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control
• CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers

The top-of-the-line EX adds:

• Sliding/tilting sunroof
• Heated mirrors
• Premium cloth seating
• Remote keyless entry
• Cruise control
• Manual air conditioning

What Engines Come In the 2007 Kia Sportage?

• The base engine in the 2007 Kia Sportage is a 2.0L inline-four delivering 140 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and it averages 23/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Available in the LX and standard in the EX is a 2.7L V6 engine delivering 173 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front/four wheel drive, and it averages 19/25 miles to the gallon.

What Colors Does the 2007 Kia Sportage Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2007 Kia Sportage?

The 2007 Kia Sportage is considerably more comfortable than you might expect a compact budget SUV from 2007 to be. The back seat stretches 55 inches across, and intelligent layout ensures plenty of head and leg room. It’s bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside, and the suspension has held up well over the years.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Kia Sportage Have?

The 2007 Kia Sportage offers up nearly 27 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up, and just about 67 cubic feet with the seats down. This puts the Sportage behind the CR-V by about 5 cubic feet, but even so, you should have no trouble packing everything you need for a weekend getaway,.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2007 Kia Sportage was the third model year in the SUV’s 2nd Generation, running from 2005 to 2010 (or 2006-2015 in China).

2005: The 2005 Sportage came at the end of a two-year hiatus for the nameplate, offering up a pair of engines, with the 173 horsepower V6 being the more popular of the two, and a revised interior.

2006: A standard tire pressure monitor was the biggest change for 2006.

2007: The Sport package, including a black mesh grille and some aluminum trim, was new for 2007.

2008: There were no major changes for 2008.

2009: Sleek new grilles and headlights were added for 2009, giving the Sportage a more modern appearance.

How Does the 2007 Kia Sportage Compare to the Competition?

If you’re just looking at a list of specs and features, the Kia Sportage is really basic in comparison to both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Honda CR-V. The LX Sportage doesn’t even include air conditioning as a standard feature.

Where the Sportage comes out ahead is in pricing. It certainly feels like a budget SUV, but it’s priced like one, too, with Blue Book prices coming in a couple thousand dollars cheaper than a comparable CR-V, and a thousand bucks lower than a Santa Fe.

A CR-V will last longer, and it’s more fun to drive. A Santa Fe is more generous when it comes to standard features. But, if you’re just looking to get a really good price on a reliable set of wheels, the Sportage delivers.

Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Kia Sportage?