The Kia Sportage can be described as a lightweight SUV available in two trim levels: LX and EX. The Sportage delivers the type of overall performance and refinement normally associated with the small SUVs from Japanese auto producers. The two trims are equipped with a healthy list of standard amenities, including alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a six-speaker CD stereo with auxiliary and USB audio jacks, full power accessories and tinted glass.
The Kia Sportage may not appear too large from the outside, but the inside offers plenty of headroom and legroom, both in the front as well as the rear. The back seats split and fold flat into a flat cargo floor and a maximum of 67 cubic ft of storage space. Fit and finish is 
extraordinary, and the Sportage gives an unexpected quantity of safety features for its class. You’ll find a total of 6 standard airbags, which include front- and side-impact airbags for driver and passenger, and side curtain airbags for front- and rear-seat passengers. Traction control and four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard on all trims.
The LX is powered by a 2.-liter four-cylinder engine capable of producing 140 horsepower. It comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, and a four-speed automatic is available 
as an option. Most Sportages with this motor are front-wheel drive, though Kia has 4WD on manual transmission-equipped models. As an upgrade for the Sportage LX, Kia offers a 173-hp 2.7-liter V6. It comes standard with the automatic transmission and can be had with FWD or 4WD. The EX trim is available only with the V6.
