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ia's entry in the cute-ute vehicle market, the Sportage was around, in name at least, since 1995. It took a two-year hiatus before coming back for 2005 with an all-new body and mechanicals. It now offers a choice of two of each in terms of engines, transmissions, drivetrains and trims. The crossover also received a significant 'facelift' to the exterior and interior for the 2009 model year onwards.

The base motivator is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder good for 140 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm. It is hitched to a five-speed manual, or can be optioned to put power down through a four-speed automatic. The other engine is a 2.7 liter V6 rated at 173 hp at 6,000 rpm and 178 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. It drives the wheels only via a four-speed automatic. A full-time electronically controlled on-demand four-wheel drive system is optional on every Sportage. EPA fuel economy ratings are as follows: the five-speed, front-drive, four-cylinder returns 20 mpg city / 25 mpg on the highway, with the 4x4 netting 19 / 24 numbers, respectively. Hitch the same combo to an automatic, and the numbers change slightly, to 19 / 25. The auto-only V6 front-driver will get 17 miles to one gallon of regular unleaded in the EPA's city cycle, and 23 on the EPA's open road. Burden it with the 4WD system, and only the highway number drops by two.

Two trim levels of the Sportage are available: LX and EX. Regardless of trim, the wheel and tire package for all Sportages includes 16-inch tires mounted on alloy wheels.

Basic fare on the 4x2 / LX / five-speed / four-cylinder includes an AM/FM/CD Audio System with six speakers, power windows, mirrors and locks, six airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, cruise control, traction control, electronic stability control a tire pressure monitoring system and a tilt steering column. Air conditioning, cross bars for the roof rails, floormats, wheel locks, side step bars, a rear spoiler and a cargo tray are the stand-alone options here. Opt for the automatic, and you get air conditioning as well, with the option of adding a remote starter. You can get Kia's 4WD system with the four-cylinder, but only with a manual transmission and air conditioning.

The next step up the price ladder is an LX with the V6, automatic and front-wheel drive, which also includes unique alloys, A/C, metallic accents on the inside and a center console with armrest and storage bin. Added to the stand-alone options is a tow hitch. A Sport package includes fog lights, black mesh grille, dark gray cladding, black rear spoiler, sport gauges, an AM/FM/Cassette/MP3/CD Stereo with six speakers, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and a cargo cover.

The EX, only available with a V6, includes a sunroof, body-color side cladding and fender flare, body-color heated power mirrors, an AM/FM/Cassette/MP3/CD Audio System, keyless entry and alarm, fog lights and leather-wrapped steering wheel. A leather seat and Luxury package are optional, along with the usual stand-alone options.