Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
Despite quality and reliability to match or better some of their Japanese rivals, sister companies Hyundai and Kia have struggled to shed their "cheap and cheerful" images in Australia.In October 2007, the launch of the all-new i30 small car lifted Hyundai to a new level - delivering a car that had the ability to play at the top end of the field. But the three models that followed failed to keep the car maker in the same league. The ix35 soft roader and i45 large car both had the looks but didn't deliver the drive experience to make an impact in the competitive Australian market. The recently-released i20 light car was also not the huge leap forward of the i30. So, while Hyundai was forced back to the ride and handling drawing board, Kia spent time and money investing heavily in a car that was tuned specifically for our demanding market. Enter the Sportage. This is Kia's version of the Hyundai ix35, and could well be the best car Korea has produced to date. The Sportage not only looks the part but, from our first drive, appears to deliver a drive experience unmatched by any Korean counterpart. It will even put some Japanese and European rivals on notice. The i30 kicked a goal for Hyundai, but the new Sportage has kicked the ball out of the park for Kia. Given its huge leap forward we are surprised Kia didn't take follow the lead of Hyundai and change the Sportage's name. The third generation Sportage is on showroom floors now and is longer, wider, and lower, than the model it replaces. It also uses less fuel and is better for the environment than the previous generation. There are three engine choices - a 2.0-litre (122kW, 197Nm) petrol, 2.4-litre (130kW, 227Nm) petrol and 2.0-litre (135kW, 393Nm) diesel - and three equipment levels, the Si, SLi and Platinum. Prices start from $25,990, $1000 cheaper than the ix35, and stretch to $38,990. All models come with ESC, six airbags, active head rests (front), ABS, a rollover sensor, hill start assist and downhill brake control. A rear camera is standard on SLi and Platinum models. The all-wheel-drive models feature a new on demand system developed by Magna. For better fuel consumption, the Sportage operates as a front-wheel-drive unless the conditions dictate the need for AWD.But the highlight of this new car is the ride quality, steering and dynamics. The suspension is a UK-tweaked European version and the steering rack is unique to our market. The Sportage will rival the Holden Captiva 5, Hyundai ix35, Nissan Dualis and Mazda CX-7.
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
There is nothing subtle about the all-new Sportage.Its design is bold and hints that there is more about the Sportage than meets the eye.The new car has lost the teddy-bear looks of the previous generation model - replaced by a sleek, elegant SUV that has the sort of aesthetics to entice buyers to the brand.Step inside and it's a no-fuss affair with clean lines and an ergonomic layout.We got behind the wheel of the Si 2.0-litre 2WD manual and the flagship diesel Platinum.The Si does feel a little cheap compared with the Platinum. While the interior is all black, the different plastic surfaces break it up although in the base model there is a lot of hard plastic.You can't change the passenger seat height which was a little annoying.The driver, however, has a height-adjustable seat and steering wheel so finding a comfy seating position was easy.Four adults will fit comfortably in the new Sportage with good room for all limbs front and rear. Five adults is squeezy and the piggy in the middle will have an uncomfortable journey on a hard/narrow seat with a hard seatback. Still there are three point seat belts to keep everyone safe.The rear seat squab may be a bit short for passengers with longer legs.Move into the cargo area and the boot is longer and wider than the previous model. There is 740 litres with the rear seats in place, growing to 1547L with the rear seats folded. The rear seats fold almost flat, splitting 60/40.The Si model won't win any traffic light dashes but gets along ok once up and going. The sweet spot is around the 3500rpm. The clutch and accelerator pedals are not evenly weighted so requires the need for dancing with the stars-style foot work to take off smoothly.Wind and road noise was noticeable on country roads but was not overly intrusive.Up hills you need to be in the right gear to pull with two on board and we think it might struggle when loaded with a family and luggage.Cruise control keeps your speed on the right side of the law.Given its family focus a rear camera should be standard in this model too as rear visibility is not the best. The difference between the Si and the Platinum diesel was like chalk and cheese. The diesel model gets all the bells and whistles including leather seats, front seat warmers, rain sensing wipers and daytime running lights.The diesel engine was surprisingly smooth, quiet and refined. We've sampled this engine in the ix35 and didn't remember it being as quiet. It has loads of torque and works well with the six-speed automatic.The diesel model is 150kg heavier than the Si model but the extra torque of the engine easily masks the extra fat.We didn't get behind the wheel of the 2.4 on launch but the figures, on paper, suggest that while performance will be better than the 2.0, the diesel will be the pick of the engine choices.We drove the diesel Platinum model which costs $39,000 but there will also be an SLi version available with the diesel engine. This model is priced from $34, 990 - $2500 more than the previous entry-level diesel model. On all models the large front pillars and side mirrors block vision. While I was not the only one to encounter this problem we'd recommend you see for yourself. Different driver's seating positions can alter front vision.
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
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