2012 Kia Sportage

Few buyers may remember it, but the Sportage was the model that got Kia off the ground in America. The current version, however, has nothing to do with that sad little SUV. In fact, this Sportage is effectively an all-new model, introduced last year. It's a sibling under the skin to the Hyundai Tucson, but the Kia has a unique look, and that's true inside as well. The interior is as stylish as the exterior, but the sometimes cheap-looking materials remind you that this vehicle is aimed at the budget-conscious buyer. For 2012, though, Kia is adding a new cloth seat fabric that supposedly reduces staining and static electricity. Kia likes to play up the high-tech aspects of the Sportage; among them is Uvo, an audio system that allows for voice control of the radio, CD player, or connected iPod. A navigation system and a backup camera are optional. In the world of small crossovers, the Sportage stands out thanks to well-controlled body roll, nicely tuned electric power steering, and good brake feel. The ride quality, however, leaves something to be desired. You can really put some more sport into the Sportage by opting for the SX, which has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that puts out 256 hp. Despite its extra oomph, the turbo gets the same highway mileage as the base four. Unfortunately, the six-speed manual transmission in the base Sportage is not offered with the turbo. The SX does, however, have a stiffer suspension with variable-rate dampers.