Kia Sportage 2006 Review

The compact SUV market has always been a popular choice for family users locally. As an early entrant in this segment, the 2006 Kia Sportage public has garnered considerable attention with its balanced practicality and relatively affordable positioning. This time, our test drive focuses on whether this car, 17 years later, can still meet the basic needs of today's users in terms of space, performance, and cost-effectiveness. After all, for budget-conscious consumers, a reliable second-hand SUV remains a practical choice.

From the exterior, the 2006 Sportage public adopts a typical rugged SUV style. The overall lines are boxy without excessive flashy designs. At the front, the vertical chrome-plated grille combined with angular halogen headlights provide decent recognizability. Although it appears somewhat outdated now, it aligns with design trends of that era. On the vehicle’s side, the 16-inch alloy wheels are proportionally suitable for the body size, and the slightly raised wheel arches add a touch of strength. The door's protective strips enhance practicality. The rear design is relatively simple, with vertically arranged taillights. The silver skid plate under the rear bumper and dual single exhaust pipes (on some models) emphasize its SUV characteristics. Regarding the lighting system, halogen headlights and taillights come standard across all variants. Although their brightness is not on par with modern LED lights, they suffice for daily use.

Inside the car, the interior design focuses on practicality. The dashboard features a dual-tone design with dark colors on top and lighter colors on the bottom, aligning with the positioning of a family car. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard is mainly hard plastic, but areas frequently touched, such as the door panels and seats, are covered in fabric or leather (depending on the configuration), with a decent tactile feel. The dashboard layout is intuitive. The air conditioning control panel uses traditional knobs and buttons, making it user-friendly even for beginners. Regarding core configurations, mid-to-high-end models are equipped with a single-disc CD player and manual air conditioning, while some models also feature a multi-function steering wheel. Although the functions are simple, they emphasize practicality. The front seats offer manual adjustments, with satisfactory cushion and backrest support, ensuring that long rides do not cause significant fatigue. The rear seats' space is average; a passenger with a height of 175cm will have around one fist of legroom and two fists of headroom, which is adequate for daily family outings. In terms of storage capacity, the front central armrest box, door panel storage pockets, and glovebox provide practical storage spaces. The trunk has a standard capacity of 564 liters, which can be expanded to 1,545 liters by folding down the rear seats, making it large enough to accommodate items like a large suitcase or a baby stroller.

In terms of power, the 2006 Sportage public offers two options: a 2.0L naturally aspirated gasoline engine and a 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine. Taking the gasoline version as an example, it has a maximum power output of 142 horsepower and a maximum torque of 184 Nm, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. In actual driving, the power response during start-up is relatively mild, requiring a heavy foot on the accelerator to achieve noticeable acceleration. However, on city roads, the power is generally sufficient. When switching to manual mode (for manual transmission models), the transmission has a moderate shift travel and clear gear positions, which is suitable for users who enjoy driving. On highways, the engine runs at about 3000 RPM at 120 km/h. The noise control is average but within an acceptable range.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, this car adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned more towards comfort. When driving over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most small vibrations. However, the body sway is quite noticeable, which is a common issue for many older SUVs. The steering wheel feels relatively heavy, with average precision and a significant amount of play. When cornering, the body leans noticeably, requiring deceleration in advance. However, for a family SUV, this performance is adequate, as it is not positioned as a sports car.

In terms of specific performance tests, taking the gasoline version as an example, the fuel consumption is approximately 10-12 liters per 100 kilometers in city driving, while highway fuel consumption is around 8-9 liters, making the fuel efficiency fairly average. Regarding braking performance, the brake pedal has a long travel, and the initial braking force is relatively soft, requiring some adjustment. As for noise control, engine noise and wind noise are quite noticeable while driving, especially at high speeds. However, for a used SUV in this price range, this is considered a normal performance. In terms of driving comfort, the seats offer average wrapping but good support. Combined with the suspension tuned for comfort, long drives are not overly tiring.

Overall, the 2006 Kia Sportage public is a typical practical family SUV. Although it cannot compare with new cars in terms of features and technology, it still has merits in space, power, and reliability. Compared to second-hand Honda CR-Vs or Toyota RAV4s in the same price range, it has better value for money, especially as it does not fall short in terms of space and practicality. It is suitable for budget-conscious families prioritizing durability or consumers who need a vehicle for daily commuting and occasional light off-road trips. If you don't mind the dated interior and lack of modern technology features, this car is still a good choice.