Aimed at drivers looking for a sporty outdoor ride without putting too much pressure on the wallet, the Kia Sportage was one of the Korean automaker's first offerings in the U.S. Reflecting the new Kia/Hyundai partnership, the 2001 Sportage boasts the 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. It comes in both a two-door convertible and four-door SUV, with the latter available in base, EX and EX Limited (new for 2001). All models come with either rear-wheel drive or part-time 4WD with low range gearing for better off-road performance.

True mountain driving is compromised by the Mazda 2.0-liter I4 engine that puts out 130-hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. But its truck-frame body and Lotus-engineered suspension helps keep the ride smooth and balanced over rough roads. A 5-speed manual is standard on the convertible and base models, while a 4-speed automatic is standard on the EX and optional for the base. The four-door models are 14 inches longer than the convertible, offering more legroom for front passengers, but rear legroom is disappointingly limited in all models.

While power features, rear-wheel ABS, dual front and driver's knee airbags, and a security system are standard on the base SUV and convertible, the EX adds cruise control, leather trim, a roof rack, and a CD player. The new EX Limited adds keyless entry, side stripes and chrome exterior trim, platinum gauges, and an upgraded sound system. The optional leather on the EX is a two-tone leather on the Limited. The low cost, sporty handling, and 4WD capability are big draws for the 2001 Sportage, but it does suffer from a lot of mechanical problems. Owners report a lot of time logged at unhelpful dealerships for problems such as brake wear and faulty power windows. The rear hatch is difficult to close, the interior is cheap-looking, gas mileage is so-so, and the cupholders block the air vents. More horsepower would be appreciated.