Front-seat occupants get decent bucket seats with good side support. Sportage models with automatic transmissions get a large center console with a big armrest. A hook to the right of the center stack is provided for holding a purse or shopping bag. Plenty of cup holders and storage nooks and crannies make for a convenient cabin.

The dashboard is neatly laid out with a small instrument panel in front of the steering wheel with a large speedometer in the center, a smaller tachometer to the left and the water temperature and gas gauge in a combined matching gauge to the right. All are easy to read. The center stack is located high up so the large knobs for climate controls and stereo system can be reached easily. Overall the interior look, as one would expect, is not luxurious, but neither is it cheap looking.

Rear-seat passengers will find getting in and out is fairly easy as the rear wheel arch does not encroach into the door opening as much as on many small vehicles. There is also a decent amount of head and leg room for a vehicle this size. Even more impressive is the fact the rear seats can be reclined up to 18 degrees for increased comfort, a feature usually only found on expensive luxury cars.

If it is cargo you want to carry the Sportage delivers the goods. First the back of front passenger seat folds down providing a table top for the driver and allowing for carrying long objects. The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds down almost flat without having to remove the headrests, which is a great convenience. Kia calls the arrangement "Drop & Fold" as the lower seat cushion automatically moves forward and down when the seat back is released resulting in an almost flat floor.

There is also a rear cargo storage area under the floor for holding tools or hiding valuables. A rear cargo cover (standard on the EX and optional on the LX) hides things in the back when the rear seats are in use. A net is also included to keep things from moving around on the floor.

The window in the rear tailgate can be opened independently so small packages or grocery bags can be placed inside without having to lift up the whole tailgate.