[455bhp]

Hi all,

I took a summer vacation and Avis "graced" me with a 2021 Kia Sportage LX. Boy, talk about a reminder that basic-economy SUVs exist, too. The LX is the lowest trim level for the Sportage and it had no niceties, not even even automatic climate control. (Okay, there was Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.)

We needed to cover lots of boring highway miles, and the Sportage was a fine appliance for the job. It rides softly and holds an 80-mph cruise without strain. Getting up to 80 mph, though, is a moaning and groaning sweat-fest. The base engine is underpowered for an SUV of this heft.

I know these Sportage LX's are cheap---~$27k with AWD---but I'd still recommend looking at other options rather than getting into this entirely mediocre SUV. I'll avoid renting one again!

(Kia did refresh the Sportage for 2022 or 2023; I hope the new model is much improved!)

(My full Sportage review is here.)

Best!

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by 455bhp

Hi all,

I took a summer vacation and Avis "graced" me with a 2021 Kia Sportage LX. Boy, talk about a reminder that basic-economy SUVs exist, too. The LX is the lowest trim level for the Sportage and it had no niceties, not even even automatic climate control. (Okay, there was Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.)

We needed to cover lots of boring highway miles, and the Sportage was a fine appliance for the job. It rides softly and holds an 80-mph cruise without strain. Getting up to 80 mph, though, is a moaning and groaning sweat-fest. The base engine is underpowered for an SUV of this heft.

I know these Sportage LX's are cheap---~$27k with AWD---but I'd still recommend looking at other options rather than getting into this entirely mediocre SUV. I'll avoid renting one again!

(Kia did refresh the Sportage for 2022 or 2023; I hope the new model is much improved!)

(My full Sportage review is here.)

Best!

KIA is the BIGGEST POS car I ever owned. They had issues at the engine assembly plant a few years ago and engines were failing left and right. I replaced THREE engines in mine (TWO at MY expense) before I finally got rid of the POS. Road noise levels were high due to limited sound deadening. I had the OPTIMA sedan for about TWO years.

[455bhp]

Originally Posted by sr71bb

KIA is the BIGGEST POS car I ever owned. They had issues at the engine assembly plant a few years ago and engines were failing left and right. I replaced THREE engines in mine (TWO at MY expense) before I finally got rid of the POS. Road noise levels were high due to limited sound deadening. I had the OPTIMA sedan for about TWO years.

Three engines? Ouch!

[UnknownJinX]

I had a Hyundai Elantra for a rental and while I feel like the 2.0 + CVT(I don't hate CVTs that much, though, so keep that in mind) combo isn't half bad, I agree that some of the interior parts can look pretty bloody cheap. The climate control in the Elantra literally looks like a plastic mold where someone drilled 3 holes for the knobs. That particular part looks worse than the climate control in my old Civic beater, and that's saying something.

I mean, I know this is a low-trim, but come on.

Originally Posted by 455bhp

Three engines? Ouch!

Some of those Theta II engines can supposedly go boom pretty easily.

[Gen6cyl]

They are a cheap car for someone who wants a new car and make payments. Probably not even good for that. They had a factory supported kia optima,I think,in a pro road racing series years ago. It was fwd 4cyl turbo. It won it overall one year against mustang v8's.