2012 Kia Sportage Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Kia Sportage overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Sportage, and includes Kia Sportage safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

The 2012 Kia Sportage is a compact, five-passenger crossover SUV designed primarily for use on pavement, but it can tackle well worn trails if absolutely necessary. Key competitors include the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-7, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Kia installs standard 17-inch alloy wheels on the Sportage LX this year, and they’re equipped with low-rolling resistance tires. Kia also makes suspension modifications for the LX and EX models this year, attempts to quell road noise a bit for 2012, and adds rubber liners for the center console and cupholders in all models. The Sportage EX gains stain-resistant cloth, a reversing camera, a premium sound system, and UVO hands-free communication and entertainment technology, while the Sportage SX now comes with standard leather seats. All models except the base Sportage have a new folding key for the fob, and the available Supervision gauge cluster now includes a low washer fluid warning light.

There are four versions of the 2012 Kia Sportage on sale: Base, LX, EX, and SX. If you’re interested in the least expensive model, know that it comes only with a manual transmission and only in black, gray, or silver. If that’s OK with you, then you’ll enjoy a robust set of audio equipment including Bluetooth streaming media capability, a USB port, an auxiliary input jack, satellite radio and, if you’re stuck in the 1990s, a CD player. Bluetooth hands-free calling is also standard, along with air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and a trip computer. Kia even provides a set of 16-inch alloy wheels so you can avoid looking like you could only afford the cheapest Sportage model. The only options for the base Sportage are related to floor mats and cargo area upgrades.

Because the base Sportage is equipped with a manual transmission, most people automatically upgrade to the Sportage LX, which has an automatic transmission, bigger 17-inch alloy wheels, LED turn signal indicators embedded into the side mirror housings, dark tinted rear privacy glass, and remote keyless entry. A wider selection of paint colors, an additional interior color, and available all-wheel drive are also offered on the Sportage LX.

A Convenience Package adds reversing sensors for the rear bumper, heated side mirrors, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, floor mats, a refrigerated glove box, a cargo cover, roof rails, illuminated visor mirrors, and a rear spoiler. A Navigation Package is also available, equipped with color touchscreen navigation with real-time traffic reports, a premium sound system, and a reversing camera. The only other options for the Sportage LX are the cargo area and floor mats available on the base model, plus an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass and a HomeLink universal remote transmitter.

If you select the Sportage EX, you’ll get a whole bunch of appealing stuff including most of the items in the LX Convenience Package, dual-zone automatic climate control, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a power driver’s seat, a reversing camera, a premium sound system, and UVO hands-free entertainment and communication technology. Exterior enhancements include chrome door handles, LED running lights, automatic headlights, fog lights, and attractive 18-inch aluminum wheels.

A Premium Package adds leather, heated front seats, a ventilated driver’s seat, Smart Key access and push-button start, a panoramic sunroof, Supervision gauges, a HomeLink universal remote, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated side mirrors, and a cargo cover to the well-equipped Sportage EX. A navigation system with real-time traffic reports is also available, and in addition to cargo area options, the Sportage EX is available with a trailer hitch and an interior lighting package.

The main reason to choose the Sportage SX is for its standard turbocharged engine. As the sporty model in the lineup, the SX also gets a Supervision gauge cluster, dual exhaust outlets, and a smoked chrome grille treatment. The seats are trimmed in leather on this model, and it’s equipped with Smart Key keyless access with push-button ignition and aluminum scuff plates. Navigation with real-time traffic reports is optional, along with a Premium Package that includes a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, a ventilated driver’s seat, heated side mirrors, push-button ignition, a HomeLink universal remote, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a cargo cover.

All Sportage models except the SX are equipped with a 176-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on base models, and is the only transmission choice on this entry-level model. The LX and EX are equipped with a standard six-speed Sportmatic automatic transmission that features a manual shift mode, and a DynaMax all-wheel-drive system is available on these two mid-grade trim levels. Fuel economy ratings are 21-city/29-highway for the base Sportage, 22-city/32-highway for the Sportage LX and EX with front-wheel drive, and 21-city/28-highway for the Sportage LX and EX with AWD.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard on the Sportage SX. With 260 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque peaking between 1,850 and 3,000 rpm, the Sportage SX is one quick crossover SUV, with the six-speed Sportmatic transmission putting the power to the front or all four wheels. Fuel economy estimates are 22-city/29-highway with front-wheel drive and 21-city/26-highway with AWD.

Equipped with six airbags, traction and stability control, and a four-wheel-disc antilock braking system with brake assist, hill assist control, and downhill brake control, the 2012 Kia Sportage is well equipped to handle what life might throw at it. The Sportage LX can be equipped with reversing sensors and a reversing camera, both of which come standard on EX and SX models.

In crash testing last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) determined that the Sportage was a Top Safety Pick. As this review is written, the IIHS has not carried that rating forward for 2012 (though we expect that it will be), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not performed crash tests on the Sportage since it was redesigned for 2011.

As this report is compiled, Consumer Reports still has not made predictions regarding the Sportage’s long-term reliability prospects. In 2011, J.D. Power and Associates predicted that the Sportage would return slightly better than average dependability over time.

If you remain unconvinced, remember that the Sportage comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a generous standard warranty for five-years or 60,000 miles, and free roadside assistance for the first five years or 60,000 miles of ownership.

If you live at altitude, you know that the thinner atmosphere affects the power output of a normally aspirated engine. That’s one reason residents of mountainous areas will find the 2012 Sportage SX so compelling. That model’s turbocharged engine delivers impressive output at sea level, let alone 5,000 feet of elevation. Imagine what a rocket this little crossover is in a city like Denver.

The Sportage’s optional DynaMax all-wheel-drive system is designed to send all of the engine’s power to the front wheels under normal conditions. When the front wheels slip, the system automatically sends power to the rear wheels to maintain traction and forward momentum. At speeds under 25 mph, the driver can choose to split the power evenly between the front and rear wheels.

Earlier, we mentioned that the Sportage can go off-road if the trail is well worn. That’s because it offers a scant 6.77 inches of ground clearance. And while the Sportage is available with a tow hitch, it can only manage 2,000 pounds of trailer.

Cargo space isn’t exactly generous, either, but the Sportage offers more room inside than a sedan. Behind the rear seats, there are 26.1 cubic-feet of volume to work with. Fold the rear seats down, and you’ve got 54.6 cu-ft.

We’re impressed with the 2012 Kia Sportage. It’s affordable, safe, and covered by one of the most generous warranties available on any vehicle. Plus, it’s quite stylish and, in SX trim, plenty powerful. This year, Kia adds standard features and takes steps to refine some of the Sportage’s rough edges, but even without the upgrades, we would have recommended this value-laden crossover SUV.

By Christian Wardlaw