The 2013 Sportage gets minor modifications, including power folding side mirrors (standard on SX trim), LED headlamp accents (standard on LX and EX trims) as well as standard sun visor extender. Kia’s compact crossover utility is offered in four trims: base, LX, EX, and SX. Several technologies are provided on all trims, including Bluetooth hands-free phone/streaming audio connectivity via steering wheel voice-activation controls, USB audio input jacks, and an AM/ FM/CD/MP3/Satellite radio audio system. To address unwanted noise transfers into the cabin, floor insulation and rear dynamic suspension dampers are among the NVH task-handlers.

The standard power source for base, LX,and EX trims is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 176 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 168 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Sportage SX is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that churns out 260 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 269 pounds-feet of torque between 1850 and 3000 rpm. During a one-week test drive, Sportage SX’s quiet ride nicely complimented this CUV’s sharp handling characteristics. Sportage SX with all-wheel-drive (co-developed by Kia and Magna International) and 6-speed automatic transmission collects estimated mpg of 21 city and 26 highway and carries an MSRP of $28,400.