Kia Sportage is set to enhance the mid-size SUV market with its good looks, value for money and seven-year warranty.
Arriving in October, the third generation Sportage sits a size up from the brilliant Kia Soul and below the larger Kia Sorento. It's grown longer and wider - as you'd expect - but is now lower. Sportage gets a new fresh look and impressive road presence thanks to Kia's design chief, Peter Schreyer (a former Audi top designer).
Sportage will be available with a new and advanced, on-demand, four-wheel drive system, but the big seller here will be the front-wheel drive only version as it will attract lower VRT, due mainly to its lighter weight and lower CO2. 'Two-wheel drive' and SUVs used to be a terrible combination in extreme emergency manoeuvring. With a higher centre of gravity than a conventional car, a tall SUV was more likely to go out of control and overturn, but now thanks to ESP (electronic stability programme) the car's electronic driver aids can intervene to help avert this.
Motors tested the 'R' 2-litre (136bhp/319nm, tax band 'C') diesel Sportage with the standard six-speed manual gearbox at its European launch in Hungary. This is a good unit but Kia expects its new 115bhp, 'U2' 1.7-litre diesel to be the engine of choice when it goes into production shortly. Available in two-wheel drive only, the 1.7 is greener and will therefore be cheaper (tax band 'B'). Kia Europe will sell two petrol (1.6, 2.0 litre) and two diesel versions with an automatic option available as well as engine stop/start technology on the two smaller engines.
The exterior features lots of new touches like a windscreen that echoes the grille's shape at the roofline, a strong shoulder line and sturdy rear end. The new LED daytime running lights give the Sportage a unique street identity and a touch of class.
Inside the five-seat SUV is comfortable with that addictive high driving position that SUV and MPV drivers love. New to Sportage are all the toys you can opt for in the Kia Soul like the reversing camera (see our archive review) plus there is a large screen sat nav/display and even an ionizer for the air conditioning that helps purify the air! Under the 564-litre boot you'll find some cubbyholes and a tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel. In theory these kits work but in reality they seldom do! We made a plea for a space saver spare for Irish cars.
Contrary to its name, Sportage has a soft, American ride. On twisty roads the car will let you know it likes to go at a sensible pace. If you try to corner with any sort of enthusiasm the Sportage will squeal its tyres as it under-steers. In its defence, Sportage is not a GTi, and I expect most buyers will be okay with that.
Kia told Motors that the large luxury SUV market has come to a virtual stop but otherwise the SUV sector is in good shape and growing. The new Sportage pricelist won't be announced until later this year, but expect it to be competitive, circa mid-€20k and upwards. Hyundai-Kia is currently the world's fourth biggest carmaker after Toyota, VW and GM. Sportage is built alongside the Hyundai iX35 in Kia's ultra modern Zilina plant in Slovakia. While the vehicles share numerous components, the Sportage comes with Kia's superior standard seven-year warranty. Kia expects to sell 500 in 2011 in Ireland.
Michael Sheridan
