Values of used 4x4s have recently been dropping faster than shares in house-building firms, but this spells opportunity for the used-car buyer. Choose your 4x4 with care and you can get a lot of car for not a lot of money, while avoiding running costs that require remortgaging the house.

Proving the point is the Kia Sportage. Think Land Rover Freelander or Toyota RAV4, only without the kudos, and you’ll be along the right lines. Since the introduction of the original bland Sportage (1999-2003), much has happened in the world of Kia. In the same year, it was taken over by Hyundai; last year it was ranked fifth largest manufacturer, up from 11th in 1999. Improved product is the factor behind such phenomenal growth.

The second-generation Sportage was built on the same underpinnings as the Hyundai Tucson and launched in 2005. Its aim was to attract budget 4x4 buyers with a low price, long warranty and generous level of equipment.

It’s the warranty that used buyers should pay most attention to. From 2005 to 2007, Sportages were offered with a five-year warranty. From this year, that rose to seven years. Unlimited in mileage for the first three years, and restricted to 100,000 miles for the remaining period, it is market-leading peace of mind. A phone call to a Kia dealer should establish the validity of any remaining cover.

Prices started at just £14,000 for a new 2 litre petrol XE model. For the price of a new Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec, owners were treated to a vehicle offering an “intelligent” four-wheel-drive system, air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a huge boot and a roomy interior. Spending about £1,500 more put you into an XS, which added leather upholstery, cruise control and a traction control system.

Kia’s original engine lineup reflected the market demands, with the biggest seller being the 2 litre 111bhp diesel. On paper it is capable of nearly 40mpg, although when it’s married to the optional automatic transmission, owners often report a sharp dip to the mid-twenties. Kia upgraded the diesel power in January 2006 to 138bhp, which transformed the drive but reduced economy to about 35mpg – precious little better than the 2 litre petrol, which is the one to buy.

Today you can snap up a low-mileage 06 model for about £9,000. You’d best get in quick: there are fewer used petrol cars on the market and an upturn in demand will lead to a firming-up of values.

With four-wheel drive as standard, the Sportage can get down and dirty when required; in normal driving, the power is directed to the front wheels, but once slippage is detected, power shifts towards the rear. The Sportage is a decent drive, the speed-sensitive power steering provides good feedback and the suspension flatters you into thinking you are in a good people carrier.

Inside, while the plastics may look a little cheap and the design is hardly cutting edge, it does hold together well and is easy to use. Interior space is generous and it has a split-folding rear seat and a tailgate with a rear screen that can be opened independently.

During an economic downturn causing many households to review how and what they drive, a used Kia Sportage has “sensible” written all over it.

CHECK THE FOLLOWING

BLIND SPOT Thick rear C-pillars make backward visibility tricky so check bumpers for parking damage

BOOT SPACE The 667-litre boot is among the best in class; flat-fold rear seat also useful

BRAKES Check front pads and discs regularly as the brakepad-wear warning sensors have failed on some examples

COMPASS Built into rearview mirror

INDICATOR STALKS Mounted on the left-hand side; changed for 2008 model

ONBOARD COMPUTER Some UK cars were incorrectly calibrated to show US gallons, which may give inaccurate mpg readings

SAFETY No Euro NCAP scores exist for the Sportage but six airbags as standard bode well

WHEELS Alloys on all models. Check rims for off-road damage and inner edge of tyres for uneven wear due to steering misalignment

VITAL STATISTICS

MODEL Kia Sportage 2.0 XE petrol

ENGINE 1975cc, four cylinders

POWER 140bhp

TRANSMISSION Five-speed manual FUEL 34.4mpg (combined) CO2 194g/km

ACCELERATION 0-62mph: 11.6sec

TOP SPEED 108mph

COST NEW £13,995

TAX BAND F (£210 a year)

VALUES

MILEAGE

10,000 20,000 40,000

2005 (55) Trade £7,500 £7,050 £6,200 Retail £8,550 £8,050 £7,695

2006 (06) Trade £8,300 £7,800 £6,900 Retail £9,795 £9,295 £8,425

2007 (07) Trade £9,100 £8,550 £7,575 Retail £10,595 £10,095 £9,095

THE ONE TO BUY
Kia Sportages 2.0 XE petrol, 2006 06 with 20,000 miles. Pay £9,295 at a dealer or £8,750 privately

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY
2005 05 Toyota RAV4 XT3 2005 55 Land Rover Freelander 1.8 HSE 2005 55 Nissan X-Trail 2.5 SVE 2006 06 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 2007 56 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 GSI