Kia Sportage 2010 Road Test Report

Performance

An all-new direct injection 1.6-litre petrol engine and 1.7-litre turbodiesel will join the ranks of the Sportage towards the end of 2010. In the meantime, the only engine option is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 134bhp. It also produces a healthy 236lb ft of low-rev shove, which helps the Sportage tow up to a maximum of 200kg, putting the Kia in the same towing bracket as a Nissan X-Trail. There’s a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, both with six speeds, and the manual sees off 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds. The auto needs a little longer at 11.6 seconds, but is no slouch compared to its rivals and all Sportages with this 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine have four-wheel drive as standard. In town, the Sportage feels wieldy and light to drive, nipping through gaps and offering plenty of acceleration out of busy junctions. On faster roads, there’s more than enough oomph for overtaking or the driver can let the gearbox take the strain and leave the Kia in a higher gear for laid back cruising. In either case, the engine is flexible and willing, though there is a little more diesel chatter audible than in the likes of an equivalent Peugeot 3008.

Ride & Handling

The new Sportage shows how far Kia and this 4x4 have come in a relatively short period of time. Gone are the bouncy front and rear suspensions that are ideal for mud, sweat and gears but make town driving a chore. In their place comes a supple set-up ideal for urban streets and motorway cruising, even on the bling-a-ding-ding 18in alloy wheels of our test car. More sensible wheels and tyres would also see the Sportage tackle off-road situations with just as much aplomb as its predecessor, though entry and departure angles may limit how far off the beaten track you would want to venture in the new Sportage. Much more importantly, the Sportage is very comfortable and deals with corners in a no-nonsense way that lets the driver push on without ever feeling as if he or she is pushing their luck. The steering could do with more feel, but it’s light and accurate. It’s the same story with the gearshift, so the Sportage is easy to drive, easy to park – especially with the reversing camera fitted to the First Edition models that lead the sales charge – and every bit as easy to live with as a Nissan Qashqai. It also has the raised driving position loved by many, so the Kia is a sound choice. It also comes with Downhill Brake Control to help the Sportage from slithering out of control when descending slippery slopes.

Build Quality & Reliability

Kia clearly has great confidence in its build quality and the strength of the components used throughout the Sportage, otherwise its seven-year warranty would be foolhardy. There are certainly no concerns when it comes to the car’s running gear and engine as they have been used elsewhere to good effect. Kia also has a long history of building able off-roaders, such as the previous Sportage and the Sorento. The only small disappointment for us was the finish to some of the minor plastics in the car’s interior. Areas such as the edges of the air vents could have been better moulded, which is why the Sportage drops a single star in this section. Picky, but then the Sportage is up against some very strong competition.

Safety & Security

Kia fits the Sportage with driver, passenger, twin side and curtain airbags as standard, as well as ESP traction and stability control. There’s also DBC (downhill brake control) for safely negotiating steep slopes when off-road by using the anti-lock brakes to keep the car at a constant slow speed. A Hill Start Assist Control prevents the Sportage from rolling backward when performing this tricky starting manoeuvre. An alarm and immobiliser take care of security.

Space & Practicality

Crossover vehicles are aimed at those who like the practicality of an MPV but don’t want their inherently boxy shape, and the Sportage fits the bill very well. It may not have the outright space of a Vauxhall Zafira or Renault Scenic, but there’s plenty of room for passengers front and rear. There’s also a generous boot that is easily extended by folding the 60/40 split and topple rear seat, though the seat backs don’t fold to leave a flat load floor, which is a mild irritation when you have larger items to carry. The driving position is raised to give a fine view in all directions, while there’s masses of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel for drivers of all sizes to get comfortable.

Ownership & Value

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine is likely to be the range-topper in the Sportage line-up, yet it still manages to get under the all-important 160g/km limit for carbon dioxide emissions. At 156g/km, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is better on emissions than many of its rivals, while 47.1mpg combined economy for the manual gearbox version is very commendable for this type of car. Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty leaves nothing to be desired. The Sportage gets off to a flying start with the First Edition model that comes fully loaded with every goody as standard except satellite navigation. Included are the reversing camera with display in the rear-view mirror, leather upholstery, CD stereo and 18in alloy wheels. Previous Sportage models have enjoyed a small but loyal band of owners, but it looks like the new model will expand that to be a much bigger group of keen owners.