2002 Kia Sportage Trims and Specs

This is the last year for the convertible Sportage, a two-door, four-seater compact SUV, available in rear-wheel drive. A removable soft top exposes the rear seats, while the front seat features a fixed hardtop, resembling a smaller Subaru Baja. The rear-wheel drive 2002 Kia Sportage Convertible gets air conditioning, privacy glass, and improved audio this year, and comes standard with full power features, tilt steering, a tachometer, cassette player, and intermittent wipers. A 2.0-liter, 130-hp I4 engine sits under the hood, available only with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

A Kia first, a driver's knee airbag is standard, along with dual front airbags. Unlike the 4-door, ABS brakes are not offered as an option, but other extras include alloy wheels, a CD changer, cruise control, and remote entry. The two-tone body paint and rear spoiler are not available. There is no roof rack, due to the convertible top, and the cargo room is reduced to 13 cubic feet (half of the four-door). Wheelbase is also shorter than the 4-door, by about 12 inches, meaning a tighter back seat for passengers. Affordability, handling, and styling are the big draws for the 2002 Sportage Convertible, while the 18/23 mpg is a turnoff. Other negatives include the small passenger and cargo room, the cupholder location, and a tendency for power window failure and for brake dust to collect in the wheel wells.

The 2002 Kia Sportage 4WD Convertible is a compact personal SUV that looks sporty and fun and offers a lot with a low price tag. Unfortunately, 2002 is its last year on the market. The part-time, driver-engaged 4WD features low-range gearing for off-roading, for which the truck-based platform is well suited. The 2002 Sportage 4WD Convertible is a 2-door, four-seater, with a removable soft top over the rear passengers, meaning there is no roof rack. Cargo space is also smaller than the four-door, at only 13 cubic feet, so this SUV is more for tooling around on day trips rather than any serious outdoor travel.

New features this year include privacy glass and an upgraded audio system, but air conditioning is still optional. Dual front airbags and a driver's knee airbag are standard, along with tilt steering wheel, full power features, 15-inch wheels, a tachometer, cassette player, and intermittent wipers. An alarm system is also included. Rear seats do split-fold, but with a shorter 93-inch wheelbase, there is a lot less room than in the 4-door. Extras include a CD player, remote entry, cruise control, and alloy wheels. The 2002 Sportage 4WD Convertible is an affordable sporty SUV, with a fun style, good city maneuverability, and decent 4WD action. Owners like the 10-year warranty because they have to take it in for repairs so often, most notably for brakes and power window failure. Drivers also report the ride is noisy and the engine underpowered.

Low-range gearing means you can take the 2002 Kia Sportage STD 4WD off-road, a big advantage over its rear-wheel drive sibling. Powered by a 130-hp, 2.0-liter DOHC I4 and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, the 4-door 2002 Sportage STD 4WD sports new 15-inch alloy wheels and comes standard with dual front airbags and a driver's knee bag. ABS brakes are optional. The four-wheel drive is part-time, manually engaged by the driver.

New standard equipment this year includes air conditioning, upgraded audio system, privacy glass, and an exterior liftgate latch. The 2002 Sportage STD 4WD already comes with full power features, a tachometer, tilt steering, a security system, and intermittent front wipers. A rear window wiper is optional. 26 cubic feet of cargo space can be supplemented with an optional roof rack. Other add-ons include cruise control and keyless entry, a CD player and CD changer, rear spoiler, and a Two-Tone package for the exterior. Good handling and maneuverability, comfortable seats, and sporty styling are highlights for drivers, who also like the way the 4WD tackles snow. Downsides include early brake wear, power window failure, cupholders blocking the air vents, and an underpowered engine. It also gets below average crash test ratings.

In its last year for this generation, the 2002 Kia Sportage STD adds more features, such as air conditioning to its standard equipment. The personal compact SUV is available in rear-wheel drive, and seats four in two rows of seats. A 2.0-liter, 130-hp DOHC I4 engine and 5-speed manual are the standard powertrain, but a 4-speed auto tran is optional. In addition to air conditioning, the 2002 Sportage STD gets privacy glass, 15-inch alloy wheels, and an upgraded radio/cassette player. Dual front and knee airbags and a driver's knee airbag are standard.

The 2002 Sportage STD is the base model for this economy SUV, yet it still features power windows, locks, and mirrors, a security system, a tachometer, intermittent wipers, and rear defrost all standard. A rear window wiper is optional, as is a roof rack, to add to the cargo capability. Rear seats do split-fold and the cargo holds 26 cubic feet with the seats up. Other options include a CD player and CD changer, ABS brakes, a rear spoiler, cruise control, keyless entry, and special two-tone paint for the lower body cladding and roof rack. Drivers like the smaller size of the 2002 Sportage STD, which makes it easy to maneuver in traffic, the low price, and overall style. There are many repair issues, mostly with early brake wear, faulty power windows, and some transmission problems. The 19/23 gas mileage is not a big favorite either.