Kia Sportage · First generation · production 1993–2005
Kia Sportage (NB)
Key facts
| Production | July 1993[1] – 2005[1] |
|---|---|
| First shown | October 1991, Tokyo Motor Show[2] |
| Model years | 1995–2002 (North America)[1] |
| Codes | NB model code[1] |
| Names by market | Wanli Sportage (China)[1] Sportage Grand (market not stated)[1] |
| Platform | Mazda Bongo-based, body-on-frame[1] |
| Assembly | Hwaseong, South Korea[1] Osnabrück, Germany (Karmann, 1995–1998)[1] Kaliningrad, Russia (Avtotor)[1] Karachi, Pakistan[1] Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China[1] |
| Body styles | 5-door SUV[1] 3-door soft-top convertible — market not stated[1] Extended-length wagon (Sportage Grand / Grand Wagon), 305 mm longer body on the same wheelbase — market not stated[1] |
| Seating | Not documented here |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive — market not stated[1] All-wheel drive (four-wheel drive) — market not stated[1] |
Photos
Dimensions
| Market | Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market not stated | 3-door | 4,030 mm (158.7 in) | — | — | — | [1] |
| Market not stated | 5-door | 4,245 mm (167.1 in) | — | — | — | [1] |
| Market not stated | Grand Wagon (extended) | 4,440 mm (174.8 in) | — | — | — | [1] |
| Market not stated | all versions (Kia figures) | — | 1,735 mm (68.3 in) | 1,655 mm (65.2 in) | — | [3] |
Figures are as published by the source for that market and version; widths usually exclude mirrors. Conversions in brackets are ours.
Luggage capacity
| Market | Version | Measured behind | Volume | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market not stated | standard 5-door | unstated | 1,570 L | not stated | [1] |
| Market not stated | Grand Wagon (extended) | unstated | 2,220 L | not stated | [1] |
The source does not say how the volume was measured. Volumes measured by different methods are not comparable.
Powertrains
| Version | Market | Type | Engine / motor | Power | Torque | Transmission | Drive | Years | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 FE DOHC | Market not stated | Petrol | 2.0-litre FE DOHC inline-four | 95 kW (129 PS) | — | — | — | — | [1] |
| 2.0 FE DOHC (North America) | North America | Petrol | 2.0-litre FE DOHC inline-four | 130 hp (97 kW) | — | — | — | — | [1] |
| 2.0 FE SOHC | Europe | Petrol | 2.0-litre FE SOHC inline-four | 87 kW (118 PS) | — | — | — | 2000– | [1] |
| 2.0 RF diesel | Europe | Diesel | 2.0-litre RF inline-four diesel | 61 kW (83 PS) | — | — | — | — | [1] |
Power is shown in the unit the source uses first (kW, metric PS or SAE hp), with our conversion in brackets. A blank cell means the source does not state it.
Notes
- Kia's heritage archive says the Sportage was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1991; production began in July 1993 (Wikipedia). Kia's heritage pages give the first generation's era as 1993–2004.
- From 1995 to 1998 European-market cars were built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany (Wikipedia).
- Width conflict: Wikipedia's infobox gives 1,855 mm, Kia's heritage archive 1,735 mm; the manufacturer figure is recorded. Kia gives overall lengths as a range of 3,760–4,350 mm, which differs from Wikipedia's per-body lengths.
- Wikipedia lists two wheelbases (2,360 mm and 2,650 mm) without saying which body each belongs to, so they are not recorded. The extended 'Grand' version used the same wheelbase as the standard wagon.
- The four-wheel-drive system's type (part-time with low range or not) is not stated in the sources, so it is recorded generically as AWD.
- Wikipedia's engine table also lists a 2.2 diesel (2,184 cc) with figures given only as 'HP'; Kia's heritage page confirms displacements of 1,998–2,184 cc. It is not recorded as a powertrain because its output and market are not reliably sourced.
- Wikipedia mentions facelifts (1998–2001 and 2002–2005 photo captions) but gives no dates or changes; no revision is recorded.
- Wikipedia states the 1997 model year Sportage was the first production vehicle with a knee airbag.
- The generation code: Wikipedia gives NB. No manufacturer source for the code was found.
Sources
- Kia Sportage — Wikipedia Reference work (read 9 October 2026)
- A Renaissance Forged by Challenge and Grit | Kia Heritage Archive — Kia Corporation Manufacturer (read 9 October 2026)
- Sportage | The World's First Urban SUV, 1993 | Kia Heritage Archive — Kia Corporation Manufacturer (read 9 October 2026)
Wikipedia sources link to the exact revision that was read. Specifications differ between markets, years and versions; each figure is shown with the market and version its source states.