The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built by the Korean automaker Kia Motors since July 1993. The first generation Kia Sportage was developed with a Mazda Bongo engineering base platform. It shares many mechanical components such as the engine, transmissions , and differentials with the Mazda line of vehicles. This was during Kia's alliance with Ford and Mazda, which involved Ford/Mazda providing technology and Kia providing cheap manufacturing facilities for Ford. From 1995 to 1998, the Sportage was built by Karmann in Germany; thus, European buyers received German-built versions... between these years, while the rest of the world received South Korean-built versions. Sportage was sold in either a five-door wagon or a two-door soft-top convertible. Kia initially developed the wagon in standard length form, but in circa 1996, the company released an extended length version.
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| Make: | Kia |
| Parent company: | Kia Motors |
| Debut year: | 1995 |
| Automotive class | Crossover SUV, Compact SUV, Mini SUV |