Kia Sportage

This small, unrefined SUV trails just about any in its class. The Sportages trucklike body-on-frame construction contributes to its rough ride. Handling is clumsy, with lots of body lean, and the powertrain is crude, slow, and noisy. Whats more, the Sportage offers only part-time four-wheel drive that cannot be used on dry pavement. The interior feels cheap, and the rear gate is a nuisance to open. Tiny, illegibly labeled buttons make using the radio unpleasant. A shorter, two-door soft-top version is also available. For 2001, the Sportage gets a minor facelift and a new Limited Edition.