Kia Sportage

27/07/2008 07:04. Values of used 4x4s have recently been dropping faster than shares in house-building firms, but this spells opportunity for the used-car buyer. Choose your 4x4 with care and you can get a lot of car for not a lot of money, while avoiding running costs that require remortgaging the house.

Proving the point is the Kia Sportage. Think Land Rover Freelander or Toyota RAV4, only without the kudos, and you’ll be along the right lines. Since the introduction of the original bland Sportage (1999-2003), much has happened in the world of Kia. In the same year, it was taken over by Hyundai; last year it was ranked fifth largest manufacturer, up from 11th in 1999. Improved product is the factor behind such phenomenal growth.

The second-generation Sportage was built on the same underpinnings as... // Times Online