After its rebirth as a sportier compact SUV last year, the 2006 Kia Sportage only gets a few additions this year, including a standard tire monitor for the EX trim and a new antenna. With more cargo, head, and legroom, the 2006 Sportage is much more people-friendly, and its new carlike platform and four-wheel independent suspension make handling much easier.

The 2006 Sportage comes in two trims, LX and EX, both available in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The 4WD automatically adjusts power to the wheels that need it, or can be manually set to a 50/50 split. The LX can be had with either a 2.0-liter, 140-hp I4 engine or a 2.7-liter, 173-hp V6. The EX only comes with the V6, and all V6 models have a 4-speed auto tran. The I4 has a choice of standard 5-speed manual or the optional automatic. All of the Sportage trims comes with power features, rear wipers, a roof rack, cargo tie-downs, ABS brakes, stability and traction control, and six airbags front and back. The EX adds heated mirrors, keyless entry, a sunroof, foglights, and a cargo cover. The rear row of seats fold flat into the floor, offering up to 67 cubic feet of extra storage space.

Owners and experts alike seem happy with the new style of the Sportage. The fact that it comes standard with a full set of performance and safety features is a big draw, along with Kia's warranty. The extra room, folding seats, and gas mileage are all cited as highlights, though there are some who claim the gas mileage isn't as good as advertised. Other complaints mention uncomfortable seats and an underpowered engine for its class.