DecodedCars2006 Kia Sportage
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD LX-V6 Luxury, 4dr SUV FWD LX, 4dr SUV FWD LX-V6
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 20 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 171.3–172 in
- Curb weight
- 3,254–3,527 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 22 MPG combined — 20% better than the average 2006 SUV - (18.3 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Kia Sportage is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 172 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,527 lb (4dr SUV AWD LX-V6 Luxury).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 25 highway), 20% better than the 2006 SUV - average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2006
- Lightest version 273 lb lighter
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Sportage →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD LX-V6 Luxury | 172 in | 70.9 in | 66.5 in | 103.5 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 3,527 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr SUV FWD LX | 171.3 in | 70.9 in | 66.5 in | 103.5 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 3,254 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr SUV FWD LX-V6 | 171.3 in | 70.9 in | 66.5 in | 103.5 in | 61 / 60.6 in | 3,351 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 22 | +20% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Sportage 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 25 / 22 | +20% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Sportage 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | +24% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Sportage 2WD | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | +9% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Sportage 4WD | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 19 | +12% | $3,550 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Kia Sportage under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Kia Sportage (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2006 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2006 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Kia Sportage.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2006 Kia Sportage is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Kia Sportage buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Engine — 14 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 12 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 119,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Sportage. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sportage years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Sportage | 41 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Sportage | 42 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 40 |
| 2025 Sportage | 43 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 75 |
| 2024 Sportage | 43 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 110 |
| 2023 Sportage | 43 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 309 |
| 2022 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 46 |
| 2021 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 54 |
| 2020 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 164 |
| 2019 Sportage | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 71 |
| 2018 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 165 |
| 2017 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 404 |
| 2016 Sportage | 23 | 174.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 134 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →