I just found this website and am curious where the 1995 -2004 4x4 Sportage's with low range, 3-4" lift and taller tires fit in the off road world.
I have been interested in the Subaru all wheel drive cars for rally type driving on gravel and mild dirt roads.
It appears the Sportage can be lifted and use taller tires than the Subaru's plus the benefit of the low range when needed and be more capable than the Subaru's.
I have off roaded Jeep Cherokees and currently drive a 1995 Geo Tracker.
The Tracker does what I want for mild off roading but it is not very pleasant to drive long diatances on the highway.
So have the Sportages become the best bang for the buck for mild off roading at a reasonable cost and a decent ride on the highway?
What years and features are desirable?
On Craigslist here in Oregon I have found several 1995-2002 Sportages for sale but no 2003-2004.
Were they available in those years?
Which years had low range?
Did any of the Sorento's have low range?
What gas milelage are the 5 speed 4x4 Sportage's with lift and slightly bigger tires getting.
Are the 2 liter engines peppy enough?
Thanks in advance for answering my questions so I can determine how bad I need a Sportage.
Herman Pahls
Coquille, Oregon
541 404 6464
hpahls@gmail.com

1995-2002 have low range, may find a 03 registered one if your lucky, very capable off road and cruise well.

If your planning on a lot of highway driving don't go over 30 9.50 15 or 235 75 15 tyres, 31's make the sporty a bit thirsty and lazy on highway gradients.

I have 2" of lift and 31" tyres and get around 19mpg on urban streets, around 28mpg onbthe highway.

I'd say they are in there with a Sidekick and whatnot as far as off road capabilities go. Less aftermarket though. So you have to put together the right parts and make your own to mod them. Which I actually kind of enjoy over just bolting something on.
I've been pretty impressed with where mine has been able to go. Even before I lifted it and such I went out with a local Jeep club to TSF and ran with them up Firebreak 5.

Some clips I took the last time I was out at Cline Buttes OHV area. With some "body modafication" at the end. (they call them rocker panels for a reason....)
Video of Sportage at Cline Buttes OHV area

They only made the first generation Sportage (at least for the US) between 1995 and 2002. It was the only Sportage that had a full frame, solid rear axle, and transfer case with low range. The US did not get any Sportages again until 2005 and then they were unibody and just AWD (Or FWD).

From what I know the Sorento kind of got the same treatment. Early ones were a full framed 4x4 with all the right bits. Later are just big minivans.....

I don't get the best MPG out of mine these days. But I also have about 130 pounds of winch and bumper hanging off the front and other extra things done to it, and it's an auto. Specs can be seen down in my sig.

And as for durability. Well the South Korean Army uses a version of the first gen Sportage as their "Jeep" (different body and a diesel engine is an option).
KM42 series