If the Kia Sportage looks like a tough little truck, it's because that's exactly what it is. Kia's Sportage is built like a truck, on a separate ladder frame; and it uses a truck-like four-wheel-drive transfer case that locks the front and rear axles together for serious off-road slogging. Yet its passenger compartment is roomy, and it comes with a reasonable list of car-like appointments.

The list of standard features grows with the 2002 model year. Not changed is Kia's Long Haul Warranty that includes five years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain.