Sportage's Off Pavement Capabilities

IRVINE, Calif., - Amidst a sea of car-based pretenders, Sportage offers rugged off-pavement performance in a surprisingly roomy and package. The winner of two different desert racing series in 1998, the Sportage is significantly less expensive than its sedan-derived competition from Japanese manufacturers, none of whom have what it takes to compete off-pavement. And, while the Sportage is rugged enough to handle the Baja, it still offers all the safety, comfort and convenience features on a trip to the grocery store or Girl Scout meeting.

The Kia Sportage was the world's first vehicle to feature a knee airbag and, in conjunction with the steering wheel-mounted airbag, the system gives Kia drivers unprecedented protection against injury in a collision. The system is supplemented by a standard passenger-side airbag.

Offers Versatility
The Sportage offers a substantial amount of versatility in its compact but surprisingly roomy body. Its four-door configuration offers room for five adults plus 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seat folded, the cargo space grows to 55.4 cubic feet. Though the aerodynamic styling gives the Sportage a sleek, compact appearance, the vehicle offers a remarkable amount of interior comfort with generous leg, shoulder and headroom, front and rear.

Adding to the comfort, inside the Sportage are a tilt steering wheel and well-conceived instrument panel. The bold panel features large, easy-to-read gauges and controls. The cupholder accepts various sizes of drinks and holds them securely. The dash also features large air conditioning vents for topnotch ventilation performance.

Complementing the instrument panel is a large-capacity center console with integral armrest. The armrest is adjustable and adds a significant amount of storage space. Large garment hooks secure hangers well, and the rear seat back covering is heavy duty, so it is less likely to be scuffed by cargo. The leather upholstery package features full-leather seat coverings, rather than just leather facings, something usually found only in expensive luxury cars.

All but the base Sportage model offer an audio system as standard, and all Sportages are fitted with six speakers, including dash-mounted tweeters. The rear speaker enclosure has been designed as a two-way unit.

The Sportage's sleek, contemporary exterior shape carries through the interior design theme with a bold grille design that lends a rugged appearance to the vehicle. The front bumper has integrated extensions, and the front headlights are an expensive-looking clear-lens style.

Reassuring Warranties
The Kia Sportage is covered by two reassuring warranties: three-year/ 36,000 mile basic limited vehicle warranty and a five-year/60,000 mile limited powertrain warranty. All Kia owners are protected by Kia Extra Mile Care, a program that includes 24-hour roadside assistance for the length of the basic limited warranty.

Wins Awards
The Sportage has won a number of prestigious industry awards. It has been named one of the "10 Best Buys in Four Wheel Drive" by Four Wheeler magazine three years in a row and has also been named a "Best Overall Value" by the independent research firm IntelliChoice for 1997 and 1998.

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