It also has the industry's first knee air bag, which offers greater protection than just a chest air bag, according to Kia. Standard equipment includes rear-wheel antilock brakes, power windows and mirrors, and intermittent wipers. Other popular features, such as air conditioning, automatic transmission and an upgraded stereo, are options. The Kia has rounded, rugged good looks. Its interior is functional, but nothing more.
Drivers get a high seat position and good visibility.
Least likable on the Sportage is the rear-mounted spare tire. It's mounted on a swing arm, which means that opening the rear door becomes an annoyance. Worse yet, all three of the Sportages I've driven in the last two years had severe rattle, because of a locking mechanism that wouldn't click tight. Suzuki Sidekick Sport Trying to move away from the bottom of the market, Suzuki introduced the Sidekick Sport in 1996. The Sport is longer, wider, heavier and has a wider track than the base Sidekick.