The Sportage has nimble handling and a refined powertrain. But it has a stiff ride and pronounced road noise, and acceleration is leisurely. The base 176-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder got a good 22 mpg in our tests. The SX has a stronger, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gets 21 mpg overall, but has a stiffer ride due to different suspension tuning and tires. While the sporty styling may look appealing, it compromises cargo space and impairs the view out, especially to the rear. Cabin appointments are basic but nicely fitted. Reliability has been well above average.
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