New Kia Sportage review

The outgoing Kia Sportage range has regularly secured around 4,400 sales each year to UK customers and that represents 5 per cent of sales in the SUV compact sector. This sector attracts 80,000 new car buyers a year.

With the new range expanded to 10 models, with the addition of two wheel drive versions, Kia expects to sell around 6,000 units a year in the UK. The introduction of the front wheel drive only versions is Kia’s answer to customers buying patterns and tastes.

The two wheel drive Sportage has better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions than its 4x4 counterparts yet it still looks like an SUV, has the five seat, high off the ground, larger rear load area features that owners require.

Kia expects around 10 per cent of Sportage customers to opt for the two-wheel drive models. Around 70 per cent of Sportage sales will be diesel models but only 1 per cent of customers will venture to the top of the range for the 2.7-litre V6 petrol variant.

Kia estimates 67 per cent of Sportage sales will be to retail customers. Prices range from £13,995 to £19,995. The single best selling model is expected to be the 2.0 CRDi XS 4x4 priced at £17,695. This model has a manual transmission.

Customer wanting the auto version with the same engine and specification can only have a two wheel drive vehicle priced at £17,495.

Specification

The realigned specification levels for the revised Sportage range is comprehensive but still there are three levels to choose from XE, XS and TITAN. Every model has six airbags, air conditioning, remote central locking, all round electric windows, electrically operated door mirrors and alloy wheels.

XS versions add climate control, cruise control, leather upholstery, and metallic effect centre fascia. The new top of the range TITAN level adds electronic stability control, which before was standard on other models, privacy glass, heated seats, electric sunroof and larger 17-inch alloy wheels.

Revisions

So what are the other changes to the latest Sportage models? Well the big news is that the vehicle is now manufactured in Europe and so gets a Kia’s amazing seven-year, 100,000 mile, bumper-to- bumper warranty and the anti-corrosion warranty is increased from six to 10 years.

The suspension has been revised for better road manners and body control, the power steering has sharper response, there are bigger front brake discs for better stopping power and the towing weights have been increased, 1,800kg for the 2.0-litre diesel XS.

In the interest of occupant comfort the front seats have larger cushions and the rear seats are mounted lower in the vehicle and have firmer cushions. The air conditioning performance Kia claim is also improved, as is the general quality of the interior.

Exterior styling changes include the use of colour-coded bumpers, a new grille and headlights and larger door mirrors.

Performance

Performance wise the Sportage in two and four wheel drive forms on-road was generally well mannered. The handling is sharper, the steering more responsive and the previous body roll has been reduced, although still evident.

The suspension handles main roads surfaces well but potholed side and town road gives for an unsettled ride. The build quality now looks really good, well up to European and Japanese standards.

The ‘smart’ four-wheel drive models only uses front-wheel drive until more grip is needed and then it automatically brings the rear wheels into play. Added to that is a 4WD Lock function which works well to give extra grip for really slippery surfaces off-road.

In fact it is quite a capable vehicle off-road, given it is a so-called ‘soft off-roader’. Pretty impressive really and well able to cope with the conditions the vast majority of owners will throw at it.

With the seven-year warranty and accommodation for five people plus good load space I can see quite a few country folk in the form of farmers being keen to look at this vehicle. Seven years of farm work, that will be interesting for warranty claims.

It will also appeal to younger families where sporting activities are their lifestyle, boating, and caravanning for instance. The Sportage looks smart but it is the price and warranty that appeals most.

MILESTONES

Kia Sportage 2.0-litre CRDi XS 4WD, manual

Price: £17,695

Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, four cylinder turbodiesel, 138bhp and 305Nm of torque from 1,800rpm, 6-speed manual gearbox with automatic two or four-wheel drive system

Performance: 110mph, 0-62mph 12 seconds, 39.8mpg, CO2 187g/km, VED Band F £205

Insurance group: 9

Overall length: 4,350mm

Towing capacity: 1,800kg braked

For: Capable on and off road, well equipped, seats five with ease, good build quality, brilliant warranty and competitively priced

Against: Unsettled ride over poorer road surfaces, electronic stability programme not standard on this model.

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