The new Kia Sportage SUV is an impressive package. It drives well, has a good level of specification and feels like a quality bit of kit.
The all new Korean offering shares its platform and oily bits with the Hyundai Tucson (Kia’s sister company). Although at €29,995 it is a couple of grand dearer than Hyundai’s Tucson (entry level 2-wheel drive version), you get a lot of standard kit like four-wheel drive, air con and six airbags (Tucson has no air con option and two airbags).
Like the Tucson, Sportage can seat five in comfort and the 2-litre petrol engine makes adequate progress. The split tailgate is great, while inside everything is where it should be give or take a centimeter.
The only obvious downside is the after market stereo, which requires a microscope just to find the on/off switch. I drove the 2-litre CVVT engine and the 2.7 V6 (available by special order only) in Switzerland recently in snowy conditions on standard road tyres and was glad of the button operated permanent four-wheel drive setting.
At minus 7 degrees centigrade, the Sportage performed predictably and threw up no surprises. Kia’s four-wheel drive system features ATT (Active Torque Transfer) which allows progressive transfer of drive from front-only (in normal conditions) to all four wheels if slippage is detected.
Initially in Ireland, power will come from a 2-litre petrol engine, but we can expect a 2-litre diesel in the not so distant future and an automatic gearbox option.
Kia with Sportage wants to stress the aspirations for the brand in Ireland. It certainly needs to rid itself of the budget car image it has had in the past. With Sportage, Kia carried out extensive research to find out what buyers wanted from an SUV.
Time and time again, people said they wanted the chunky rugged look, big wheels and high driving position, but they also wanted the car to be a proper off roader unlike 2-wheel drive only SUV variants.
Most ‘petrol-heads’ hate the poor driving dynamics offered from 2-wheel drive only SUVs but you cannot argue with the relatively massive sales figures of these ‘pose-mobiles’.
People clearly want the off road look for as little cash outlay as possible. Kia, although it builds 2-wheel drive Sportages for certain markets globally has no intention of bringing the 2-wheel drive only version here despite the sales potential.
If you can find the extra cash €34,995 gets ‘GSE’ level of equipment. It features highlights like leather seats, ESP, cruise control, privacy glass and heated seats.
Sportage is primarily aimed at buyers new to SUVs. As Paul Williams from Kia says, he wants to “fish where the fish are” and sees buyers coming from C and D sector family cars.
The small SUV market accounts for about 2% of the car market in Ireland. Kia expects to outsell Toyota’s RAV4 next year.
In turn, Kia acknowledges Hyundai’s Tucson will outsell Sportage next year because of the availability of the keenly priced entry-level 2-wheel drive diesel. Sportage is a well-equipped car that does what it says on the tin and represents excellent value for money. It is worth a look.
- Michael Sheridan
