Kia Sportage review

“Sometimes you can’t see the wood
for the trees. Quite easy if you’re
looking for a mid-size SUV because
there are so many out there. So let
us point you in the right direction —
towards Kia’s popular Sportage...”

WHILE MOST OF THE WORLD rushes headlong towards all-electric powertrains, plenty of motorists are sticking with petrol. Whatever the trendy tech says, the current crop of fossil-fuelled motors are still great to drive (and with no range issues!). In fact, many in the know still believe the powers-that-be have thrown out the baby with the bathwater in the stampede to go carbon neutral.

Whatever, Kia, despite introducing more and more pure electric vehicles across their ranges, are for the moment sticking with the 'tried and tested' in their Sportage and still offering you a choice of petrol or diesel. The diesel (incorporating a 48V mild-hybrid) is a 134bhp 1.6-litre; the petrols both also use 1.6 engines, but you can choose between 130bhp or a turboed 174bhp. The range comes in numerous trims with manual and auto transmissions; most are 2WD but unlike quite a lot of crossover-SUVs, the Sportage also offers all-wheel drive. Prices kick off at Ł23K and top out at Ł35K — so then, a Sportage for all uses and all budgets.

“Swing open a door and
climb aboard: entry
access is great courtesy
of big, wide-opening
doors and they shut with
something you don’t
hear in too many of
today’s cars: a quality-
engineered ‘thunk’.
Yet another good reason
for buying a SUV like
the Sportage: along with
a fist+ of headroom are
high-set seats, which
mean you don’t fall down
into your seat when you
get in but can just park
your hip and slide in
with no jolts. The
bolstered seats are large
and nicely padded
and proved to be very
comfortable, particularly
so on long journeys.
The upholstery is black
and grey leather, with
contrasting piping for an
upscale look...”

Partnered with a 7-speed dual-clutch autobox, the 174bhp turboed petrol (T-GDi) is backed up by 195lb ft of torque, on tap right where it matters between 1,500 and 4,500rpm. It's good for 125mph and will hit 60mph in an eager 8.8 seconds off the line, while the official combined fuel consumption is 33.2mpg although 'touring' runs could see that rise to 38.7mpg. Our week's hard testing easily confirmed the official figure when we recorded an average of 34.7mpg.

The Sportage is a good-looking crossover and doesn't rely on any styling gimmicks to stand out from the crowd; and while SUV-esque, it doesn't make the mistake of crossing over into macho hardcore 4x4 territory. The good news is that it will age gracefully, and with an industry-leading seven-year warranty, owners can look forward to a long and reliable relationship with their Kia. It also says a great deal about the Sportage's appeal that last year Kia sold over 19,500 of them, in the process outselling Audi's Q3, the BMW X1, Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Peugeot 3008, Range Rover Evoque and Vauxhall Grandland X.

Speaking of looks, these latest fourth-generation versions benefit from teardrop-style LED Bi-function headlight units that stretch back along the crests of the front wings towards steeply raked A-pillars. Daytime Running Lights are also LED, as too are the distinctive 'Ice-Cube' front fog lights. In the same way that Audis and BMWs are instantly identifiable by their grilles, the Sportage's 'tiger's-nose' version reminds you that this is a Kia. The glasshouse is clean-cut with long side windows while at the tail linked wraparound light clusters, an oval exhaust tailpipe at each corner, and a silver-coloured skid plate together add a neat finish to the 4.5-metre long Sportage.

Swing open a door and climb aboard: entry access is great courtesy of big, wide- opening doors and they shut with something you don't hear in too many of today's cars — a quality-engineered 'thunk'. Yet another good reason for buying a SUV like the Sportage — along with a fist+ of headroom — are high-set seats which mean you don't fall down into your seat when you get in but can just park your hip and slide in with no jolts. The bolstered seats — chairs, really — are large and well padded and proved to be very comfortable, particularly so on long journeys. The upholstery is black and grey leather, with contrasting piping for an upscale look. The driver gets manual seat height adjustment and powered lumbar support, and both front seats feature three-stage heating and height-adjustable belts. All very cosseting.

Adding to the ambiance is first rate fit-and-finish with thorough attention to detail; for instance, the satin chrome air vents feature knurled non-slip thumbwheels and the air vent vanes are all nicely damped. It might seem a small thing, but detailing like this makes a car so much more satisfying to live with. Add to that plenty of in-cabin storage: a very big storage bin beneath the central front armrest, roomy door pockets that hold not just bottles but other stuff as well, a fit-for-purpose glovebox, large dual-use cupholders (with easy-clean pull-out mats), a deep tray for your smartphone offering easy access to USB and 12v sockets, and a drop-down overhead case for your sunglasses.

“Back-seat passengers
will thank you for seating
them there — and why
wouldn’t they as the
contoured and well-
padded outer seats
benefit from two-stage
heating and reclining
backrests, plus limo-like
leg- and elbow-room
and accommodating
headroom.
Despite rolling on 19-inch
wheels and having its
own specially-tuned
suspension
characteristics for
sharper handling,
GT Line models
nevertheless serve up a
decent ride, even on
pretty raggedy blacktop,
and passengers aren’t
jostled when the
driver decides to get
a move on...”

The driving position is spot-on and the view out superbly commanding, guaranteeing no-fear manoeuvring. And there are no distractions from inside the cockpit either thanks to the logically arranged dash and the easily identified switchgear, all of it sensibly sited and good to use. The satin black and satin chrome flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped steering wheel is a multifunction item, and its foolproof controls ensure that everything from voice control, cruise, phone, infotainment, and driver's information can be operated smoothly while on the move.

At the heart of the dash sits a large 8-inch touchscreen providing a comprehensive infotainment and navigation package with crisp graphics and fast, responsive, simple-to-use menus. The SatNav is powered by TomTom, and Kia's Connected Services also offer plenty of handy information such as speed camera locations and alerts, plus weather and traffic information; helpfully, when you're running low on fuel, the system will show you the nearest petrol stations and prices, and to help you park swiftly it will indicate parking areas before you arrive at your destination, with real-time availability.

Linking your smartphone to the touchscreen is also easy, with mirroring via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both with voice control. Other comms include Bluetooth with music streaming, and there's a DAB radio with MP3 compatibility and a six-speaker 160-watt audio system, as well as a rear-view parking camera with active guide lines.

More good news — the two-zone climate control panel features trad-style buttons and rotary knobs for quick and accurate adjustment on the fly (you can display all the current settings on the touchscreen if you wish). Whatever temperature you choose, hot or cold, it's delivered quickly. Directly ahead of the driver are two main dials either side of a digital display showing core driving data such as a speed readout and the posted speed limit. Other information can be selected and shown, and both the dials and the TFT display are easy to read day and night.

The GT Line is particularly well-specced. In addition to items already mentioned (two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, parking camera, comprehensive comms, etc) it also comes with a keyless entry system, engine Start/Stop button, dual-zone automatic AirCon, Drive Mode Select (Eco, Normal, Sport), heated rear seats, front and rear parking sensors, privacy glass (rear windows and tailgate), cruise control and speed limiter, electronic parking brake with autohold, powerfolding heated door mirrors with LED repeater indicators, auto-dimming rearview mirror, all-round electric windows (driver's auto up/down), ally pedal set, automatic drive-away door locking, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Along with a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating you also get a full suite of airbags (including a roll-over sensor), Intelligent electronically controlled all-wheel drive, all-LED lights (Bi-function headlights, daytime running lights, 'Ice-Cube' front fog lights, and rear lights), and 'assists' such as Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Electronic Stability Control and Vehicle Stability Management, traffic sign recognition, and automatic dip/main beam switching.

“Most family SUV buyers
are more concerned
with space and comfort
than out-and-out
performance or
Nürburgring-grade
handling prowess.
However, that’s not to
say they won’t ever
need, or want, to press
on — if they do, they’ll
find that the high-riding
GT-Line is surefooted
along quick A- and
B-roads, handling
reassuringly with strong
all-wheel grip always
automatically on call...”

Other indispensable features include Downhill Brake Control (limits the vehicle's speed to 5mph with no driver braking input required when descending slippery slopes) and Trailer Stability Assist which prevents snaking when towing at speed or in high winds. There's also tyre pressure monitoring and, for those inescapable frosty winter mornings, front wiper blade de-icing.

Back-seat passengers will thank you for seating them there — and why wouldn't they: the contoured and well-padded outer seats benefit from two-stage heating and reclining backrests, plus limo-like leg- and elbow-room and accommodating headroom even in the centre seat position. The drop-down central armrest (also nicely padded) houses a pair of built-in cupholders while water-drinkers can park their bottles in the door bins.

Netted seatback pouches, a USB charging port and a 12v socket along with dedicated central air vents all make journeys that bit more indulgent, as too does the generous glasshouse glazing and the unrestricted views out. Neither will the driver hear any complaints if three are sat side-by-side. And, as you would expect, Isofix child seat fixings are in place ready to be used.

Despite rolling on 19-inch wheels and having its own specially-tuned suspension characteristics for sharper handling, GT Line models nevertheless serve up a decent ride, even on pretty raggedy blacktop. Well managed body control also helps, ensuring passengers, especially those travelling in the back seats, aren't jostled when the driver decides to get a move on. On motorways it also feels fluent and well planted — all of which contribute to the Sportage being a fine vehicle with which to ferry around family.

The powerplant to go for is the turbocharged 1.6 T-GDi . This punchy 174bhp unit is as happy pootling along as it responding to a heavy right foot. And if you need to overtake or join fast-moving motorway traffic it delivers the necessary oomph without any fuss. In fact, whatever the driving conditions, the T-GDi unit feels refined and you rarely notice it working away in the background.

The seven-speed autobox is equally smooth and unintrusive and adds to the Sportage's sense of calm, especially when 'in the cruise'. For those times when you demand more direct control of the shifting (when towing, say) there are wheel-mounted paddle-shifters. Did we mention Drive Mode Select? Standard-fit, it gives you three drive settings: Eco, Normal, and Sport. If you're in a hurry, selecting Sport instantly ups the Sportage's game.

“There’s plenty to like
about the Sportage’s
boot. For a start it will
swallow 491 litres of
luggage which means
that pesky family items
such as a child’s buggy
or lifestyle essentials
such as a couple of golf
bags will fit right in
without any hassle.
Drop the 60:40-split rear
backrests (which can be
locked down after
folding) and you’ll create
a loadbay with a
seamless and flat floor
that will swallow 1,480
litres of cargo...”

Admittedly, most family SUV buyers are more concerned with space and comfort than out-and-out performance or Nürburgring-grade handling prowess. However, that's not to say they won't ever need or want to press on — if they do, they'll find that the high-riding GT-Line is surefooted along quick A- and B-roads, handling reassuringly with strong all-wheel grip always automatically on call.

The steering is predictable, and the nose goes where you point it. Good to know, too, that the Sportage can stop as well as it can go — thanks to a set of strong and progressive all-disc brakes (ventilated at the front) killing your speed is always drama-free.

For the record, the intelligent all-wheel drive normally delivers 100 per cent of engine torque to the front wheels, but this can be redistributed up to a maximum of 60:40 front-to-rear if road conditions deteriorate or to enhance cornering stability. And, of course, you can go off-road! Pressing the lock mode button alongside the selector lever maintains a 50:50 torque split at speeds of up to 25mph. For slippery slopes there's also Hill Descent Control to keep your downhill progress shipshape.

There's plenty to like about the Sportage's boot, too. For a start it will swallow 491 litres of luggage which means that pesky family items such as a child's buggy or lifestyle essentials such as a couple of golf bags will fit right in without any hassle. Drop the 60:40-split rear backrests (which can be safely locked down after folding) and you'll create a loadbay with a seamless and flat floor that will swallow 1,480 litres of cargo.

At its top position the two-level boot floor sits flush with the boot lip, making light work of loading heavy items or sliding large white goods or flat packs all the way in to the front seatbacks. Some carmakers have an irritating habit of providing a roller-style luggage blind but then not giving you anywhere to store it — not so Kia: when not in use the Sportage's smooth-working load cover cassette slots into its own personal hidey-hole beneath the boot floor (or even just above it should you wish to make good use of the multi-trayed, full-width, underfloor storage compartment). The Sportage will also pull a braked 1,900kg.

They say 'Follow the money' — and that is sound advice. Last year, getting on for 20,000 drivers spent theirs on a Sportage. Do the same and you'll enjoy a stylish all-rounder that looks smart without being showy, and is comfy, accommodating, and a can-do family-friendly SUV with the extra peace of mind of an industry-leading seven-year warranty. ~ MotorBar

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