*This vehicle was brought to me to test drive for a few days, and share my honest review.
I have done several KIA reviews in the past, and I am thrilled to add another one to my list – the 2013 KIA Sportage! You see, before actually driving a KIA, I was somewhat unfamiliar with what they were all about. They all have a few things in common: Comfort, Style, and they are eager to please.
As in the past with my other test cars, I let my husband drive the 2013 KIA Sportage quite a bit. He had a really hard time giving it up when it was due to be picked up. Here are his thoughts on the KIA Sportage:
I recently had the opportunity to drive the Kia Sportage. I have always been lukewarm when it comes to SUVs. Most are underpowered, they usually don’t handle very well and to put it mildly, they are kind of boring. I understand that they have their purpose in life and are a compromise in a way, so we don’t have to drive the dreaded minivan.
The 2013 KIA Sportage was definitely a pleasant surprise. It was very comfortable and with the 260 HP Turbo Charged 2.0L Direct Injection in-line 4 it was pretty amusing to drive. The SX trim package makes for a very nice looking vehicle and the 18” alloy wheels add a nice touch to the whole package.
While probably not what the vehicle was designed for, it corners pretty well for being an SUV. The first sensation I noticed when I got into the Sportage is that it sits pretty high up from the roadway, which would make you think that it might tip over in a corner, however there is very little noticeable body roll at the same time that it provides a pretty smooth ride.
I must admit that I was a bit surprised by the power from the Turbo 4 which was more than capable of propelling that SUV around with no problems. If I had any complaints, it would be that if you find yourself in a corner when you add a little too much right pedal and activate the turbo, the added boast will cause some torque steer. I do have to say that while driving it like it was probably intended, there is little or no torque steer, but I did have to add that little warning 🙂
All in all the Sportage is a pretty good representation of a modern SUV. It is sleek and well appointed with all the modern conveniences. As its name implies, it is subtly sporty. If I had the need to have a “Little League Limousine” I think that it would be a perfectly acceptable candidate for hauling kids, groceries, golf clubs or a range bag as needed.
My thoughts:
As my husband mentioned, it was a little higher off the ground than I expected – I was reminded of this each time I hopped out. Of course, I am pretty short, and my regular car is a sedan, so this could be why.
First things first – the 2013 KIA Sportage is pretty darned stylish! I do love cars, and I just feel extra good when a car is gorgeous. You wouldn’t think that an SUV could be considered stylish, but this one definitely is.
It was a comfortable ride – smooth and sturdy, and handled corners well (at least with my driving style). My husband, on the other hand, was probably a little more rough with it. He has some comments above about its handling when driving more rigorously.
I think the best testament to the 2013 KIA Sportage is that my 16-year old daughter insisted that we take it everywhere we went. C’mon – teenagers aren’t “into” SUVs, but this one was quite popular in our family.
The 2013 KIA Sportage, just like its other family members, is very well thought out. Everything that the driver might need is in quick reach. One of the very coolest features? It not only had bun warmers, but it had a bun cooler for the driver! You heard me right – and I couldn’t have been happier. This would be especially welcoming on those hot summer days while wearing shorts. You know how your legs stick to the leather? Not anymore!
The panoramic sunroof was pretty neat too. I love that the backseat passengers can also enjoy the scenery above from their seats.
Speaking of back seats, check out how roomy it is! Although I am short, I still need leg room.
And these seats fold down quickly and easily to make more room in the back. Gosh, this would have been the perfect vehicle when our kids were little – it seems like we always had tons of stuff to take with us everywhere. The 2013 KIA Sportage is every mom’s dream!
Little things didn’t go unnoticed. For instance, as small as this might seem, I REALLY appreciate the bottle holder on the passenger side! Two cup holders just never seems like enough in a vehicle, so it is really helpful to have the extra room in the door panels.
Overall?
I really loved this vehicle. The 2013 KIA Sportage is something I would definitely consider buying if I had the need for a bigger vehicle. This would be really fun to have for driving around town, errands, and really long road trips!
*I was not compensated for reviewing this vehicle. All opinions are my own.
Keenly Kristin
I absolutely love the look of this Sportage — and from your description, it sounds like I’d love it, too. I drive an ’07…and boy does it sound like a whole different beast.
I think I just want a new car. Desperately. LOL.
Jennifer-admin
Oh I think it IS time for you to get a new car! This was so much fun to drive, and definitely something I would consider buying!
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/04
BusyWorkingMama
KIA has come a long way in their stylish designs. I was eyeing a car the other day and then noticed – dang it, that is a KIA! It looked more on par with Acura or Lexus.
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 20/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/04
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/05
dan williams
sharred this today, 03/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 04/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 31/05
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 20/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/06
dan williams
twitted this today. 22/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 28/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/06
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/07
dan williams
twitted, 05/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 20/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 28/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 31/07
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 04/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 28/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 31/08
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 04/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 17.09
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 20/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 28/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/09
dan williams
twitted for this today, 29/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/09
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/10
dan williams
twitted for this today, 03/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 04/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 20/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 28/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 31/10
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 04/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 28/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/11
dan williams
twitted this today. 30/11
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 04/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 05/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 20/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 31/12
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/01
dan williams
twitted this today. 03/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 04/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 20/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 25/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 26/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 27/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 28/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 29/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 30/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 31/01
dan williams
twitted this today, 01/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 02/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 03/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 06/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 07/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 08/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 09/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 10/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 11/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 12/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 13/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 14/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 15/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 16/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 17/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 18/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 19/02
dan williams
twitted this today,20/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 21/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 22/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 23/02
dan williams
twitted this today, 24/02