Recommended Roof Rack for 2012 Kia Sportage with Flush Roof Rails

Question:

I have a 2012 Kia Sportage with no roof side rails. There is a flush black plastic/rubber strip on either side of the roof, running front to back. I mistakenly thought these were flush mounted side rails and ordered Podium Thule feet, fit kit 4009 and square crossbars. I cannot seem to find flush mounted side railings anywhere for my 2012 Sportage. Do I have to eat the money I laid out for the Thule products and try to find another brand that will fit? Are there any side rails that will fit my Sportage? Thank you.

asked by: Susan

Helpful Expert Reply:

My contact at Thule confirmed that the black rubber strips on the roof of your 2012 Kia Sportage do not provide (or cover) an attachment point for their Podium roof rack system. Your car can be fitted with a roof rack, one designed for what we call a naked roof, but none of the options comes from Thule so the parts you have purchased cannot be adapted to your car.

You can see roof rack options for your Sportage by clicking on the linked page. For a cost-effective square bar system like the Podium I suggest the Rhino-Rack 2500-Series system made of parts # RRVA126B-2, # RRRLKVA, and # DK259.

expert reply by: Adam R