The 2009 Kia Sportage has everything you want in a budget SUV. It’s capable, comfortable, and priced to move. Unfortunately, it’s on its last legs, with models hitting the Blue Book at 140,000, and an expected minimum lifespan of around 150,000. $5,500 is probably more than you want to spend on an SUV that will be lucky to last more than another 10,000 miles.
Is the 2009 Kia Sportage a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – A good budget-priced SUV, but at this point you’ll be lucky if it makes the trip home from the dealer.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – The Sportage is hardly the class leader, but it’s more comfortable than you’d guess for the price.
- Reliability 7/10 – The car is dependable enough for the first 150,000 to 200,000 miles, but after that, it’s living on borrowed time.
- Safety 7/10 – Standard safety equipment is generous, but crash test scores are mediocre.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The V6 model gets 18/23 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which isn’t very impressive for a small SUV, even for 2009.
- Value 6/10 – For a thousand dollars less, this might be a decent throwaway car, something to get you to work for the next year while you save up for something better. At up to six grand, it’s more than you want to spend on 10,000 miles of road.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Kia Sportage?
Consumer Reports found the 2009 Kia Sportage to be well-rounded and comfortable. They liked the long list of standard features, the big cabin, and the refined V6 engine. They weren’t so hot on the mediocre fuel economy, slow braking, and wide handling.
Kelley Blue Book found the 2009 Sportage to be a budget-friendly alternative to pricier SUVs, delivering comfort and convenience at a fair price. They note that the overall package may pale in comparison to similar Toyotas and Hondas, but that the SUV delivers than you might expect of a Kia.
Edmunds liked the Sportage’s “stylish and functional interior,” and they liked the long list of standard safety features. They report that the SUV ultimately comes up short in terms of sheer performance, delivering less horsepower and poorer fuel economy than the class leaders.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Kia Sportage Have?
The 2009 Sportage has generated just 77 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Airbags complaints take the lead, with a number of drivers reporting the warning light blinking on for no reason.
There is an active safety warning for the 2009 Sportage, with the NHTSA reporting that over 71,000 units are at risk for compartment fires according to an October, 2022 recall. The fires may spark when driving or while parked thanks to an issue with the hydraulic control unit.
A handful of steering complaints see drivers experiencing power steering failure when accelerating. Drivers typically report the problem occurring sporadically, coming and going over the months.
The 2009 Sportage has been recalled just 3 times, which is below average for a vehicle this old. But that electrical fire recall is a big one, so make sure to check the VIN.
How Long Will the 2009 Kia Sportage Last?
The 2009 Sportage is generally expected to last around 150,000 to 200,000 miles before it becomes too expensive to bother fixing. You might be able to reach a quarter million miles with excellent care but, in a used model, you’re living on borrowed time after the first 200k.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $458, which is fairly cheap for an SUV. New exhaust manifolds account for the most expensive common repairs, going for as much as $3,355, at which point it might be cheaper ot buy another vehicle.
It is very reliable and the company is one to trust. Have little to none problems with this model. Everything works and is an advantage for me.
No not as of yet and yes it is very reliable. I have always wanted to have a Kia Sportage for a long time.
Yes no major problems typical wear and tear brake replacement and oil changes. Never pulled anything with it but I am sure it would do great as has the towing package.
Just a little in air conditioning part sometimes it is not so cold need to put coolant often. And it also use a lot of gas
It has been a reliable car, the only problem we have has was with the battery and we bought a new battery and all was good.
Yes it's reliable. No major problems. Just maintaining wear and tear. I take good care of it and it's lasted me a long time.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2009 Kia Sportage is pretty basic. Even in the EX model, you’re not getting anything fancier than a CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers.
Safety tech is far more generous, packing anti-lock brakes, traction control, occupant sensing airbags, and tire pressure monitoring as standard features.
Is the 2009 Kia Sportage a Good Value?
The 2009 Kia Sportage typically lists for a reasonable price, but it’s still not a great value. An entry-level LX usually sells for around $5,585, while an EX goes for around $5,989.
These prices sound fair, especially when you consider the low cost of ownership. But consider that these models have at least 140,000 on the odometer. Some Sportages don’t even make it to 150,000 miles, and you probably don’t want to spend six grand on an SUV that won’t see another year on the road.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 Kia Sportage?
The 2009 Kia Sportage is offered in just two trim levels, the base LX and the high-end EX.
With an entry-level LX you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- 8-way power adjust driver seat
- CD/MP3 player
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Power mirrors
- Remote keyless entry
The top-of-the-line EX adds:
- Heated mirrors
- Premium cloth seating
- Sliding/tilting sunroof
- Fog lights
What Engines Come In the 2009 Kia Sportage?
- The standard engine in the Sportage is a 2.0L inline-four delivering 140 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission in four wheel drive, and it averages 21/24 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- Available in the LX and standard in the EX is a 2.7L V6 delivering 173 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. The V6 is paired to a 4-speed automatic in four wheel drive, and it averages 18/23 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2009 Kia Sportage Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 Kia Sportage?
The 2009 Sportage is more comfortable than you expect a budget SUV to be. You’ve got 55 inches of hip room, plenty of head and leg room, smooth-riding suspension, and comfy seats. Interior trim quality is on the cheap side, but far from the worst on the market.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Kia Sportage Have?
The 2009 Kia Sportage packs 23 cubic feet of cargo with the seats up, 66 with the seats down. This puts it in league with a full-size sedan to start with, but a bit shy of class leaders like the CR-V for total cargo space.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the second to last of the 2nd Generation for the Kia Sportage, running from 2006 to 2010.
2007: Kia added the Sport package for 2007, featuring a black mesh grille and some extra aluminum trim.
2008: No big changes.
2009: Redesigned grilles and headlights gave the Sportage a more modern look for 2009.
2010: No major changes for 2010.
2011: The 3rd Gen relaunch saw the Sportage getting a new suspension system designed to reduce road noise and vibration.
How Does the 2009 Kia Sportage Compare to the Competition?
The 2009 Kia Sportage would have been a great, budget-friendly alternative to class leaders like the Honda CR-V just a few years ago. Now, with the SUV heading into its final stretch, it’s hard to recommend over pretty much any competing vehicle.
A 2008 Chevrolet Uplander may be preferable if you’re looking for a budget SUV to get you through the next year. The Uplander is unlikely to last too long past 200,000 miles, but it typically lists for around $500 to $1,500 cheaper than the Sportage.
The 2009 Kia Sportage was an excellent budget SUV when it was new, and for the next decade after that, too. But, 140,000 miles later, it’s hard to recommend a vehicle that will be lucky to see another twelve months on the road.
Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Kia Sportage?
Yes, I had it for awhile now and I love everything about it. Has enough space for my family and I hardly have issues with it when it comes to mechanics.
Yes I love the way it drives and it is good on gas and I like the fact that it is high up and I can see more than sitting in a regular car.
Yes I love my Sportage. Minimum upkeep cost as long as you take care of the vehicle. Always do the manufacturers recommended care and oil changes regularly.
Yes kind of outdoor vehicle it's a 4WD and it git V6 type of engine, very stable and quite reliable, the design is very unique too.
I think it is a good vehicles. We've had it for 10 years with no major problems. Just the basic repairs.
It runs good, but it has some problems, like with the sun visor that doesn't work, the eyeglass keeper fell apart and the room in the front seat is kind of small for bigger figures.
Yes! I've never had any major issues. Drives well, gets me through snow. Starts up in very cold weather. Perfect size for my personal needs.
