Motivating the 2005 Kia Sportage is one of two powertrains. Base models have a 2.0-liter, dual overhead cam (DOHC), four-cylinder engine that uses Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to produce 140 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Fuel mileage for a front-wheel drive Sportage with the little four banger and the manual transmission is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway; heavier four-wheel drive models and front-wheel drive models equipped with the automatic transmission travel 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg out on the open road. The majority of Sportages will be equipped with the 173-horsepower V6. The more potent 2.7-liter, DOHC six-cylinder reaches its maximum horsepower at 6,000 rpm, peaks at 178 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, and is only available with the Sportmatic transmission. As expected with a bigger engine, fuel mileage suffers a bit, with the front-wheel drive 2005 Kia Sportage achieving 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway; four-wheel drive models require a gallon every 19 miles in the city and every 23 on the highway. During an afternoon of driving both front- and four-wheel drive models under a variety of conditions, we noted a disappointing 17.1 mpg. On the plus side, a relatively large 17.2-gallon fuel tank extends the cruising range, and the extra 33 horsepower and 42 lb.-ft. of torque bring the tow rating up to 2,000 pounds, 500 more than with the four-cylinder engine.
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