Let’s Talk About The Kia Sportage

What is it?

This Sportage is a mid-life refresh of Kia’s midsize SUV. There are subtle design changes such as a slightly revised grille, a new bumper design, updated fog lamp housings new and new wheel designs. The Korean manufacturer has done away with some of the top-of-the-range variants that previously rounded off the Sportage line-up and has added a new entry-level option in the shape of the 1,6-litre that we were able to test.

What's so special about it?

As mentioned, there’s a new entry-level model, while the SX AWD and GT Line specification grades have been done away with. The refreshed range highlights Kia’s ambition to play competitively when it comes to offering South Africans more pocket-friendly options in this class.

What drives it and how does it go?

The model that we had on test is a new-to-the-range 1.6 GDI with 97kW of power and 161Nm of torque. This is mated with a six-speed automatic ‘box. Admittedly, there were times when the transmission felt a bit sluggish and as though it was holding on to a gear a bit longer than I would have liked.

Enthusiastically overtaking slower traffic means that you need to make do with a groaning gearbox until the manoeuvre is complete. Other than that, performance was acceptable. The Sportage was used for a lot of commuting and inner-city driving. It proved suitably up to the task. Kia claims a top speed of 170 km/h.

Climbing in...

Kia’s have come such a long way over the last decade, and this new Sportage’s interior is neat, sophisticated and non-fussy. Handy, as I enjoy cabins that are uncluttered and uncomplicated – as do many of you I’m sure. The seats are comfortable and the range of adjustment available means that any driver of any size can climb inside and find their ideal driving position.

In this entry-level model, you don’t get a touchscreen or a modern-looking audio system, but that doesn’t mean you miss out on some of the nice-to-haves. The audio system is Bluetooth enabled, while nice-to-haves such as electric windows and side-mirrors, manual air-conditioning and rear park distance control allow do afford a more comfortable and stress-free drive.

So its practical?

Oh, definitely. It’s a five-seater and with our family of five all strapped in, we all felt like we had enough room so as not to encroach on the person next to us. Boot space is plentiful, and all of the shopping trips and school runs were done with much ease considering all the paraphernalia of a larger family. With the seats folded forward, the Sportage is even able to swallow a large mountain bike.

This next point may seem like a silly one to point out, but if you’ve experienced it you would understand - it is great to see that when you remove the parcel tray from the boot, there is space to clip it securely on the floor of the luggage compartment. That way, it’s not rolling around or standing among the random items in the garage, gathering dust or constantly falling over.

Anything else I need to know?

The entire range features ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), six airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchors as standard, so if you’re worried about safety, these standard specs should alleviate any of your concerns.

There is also central locking, as well as an alarm, immobiliser and Data Dot protection. The Sportage also comes with electronic stability control, hill-start assist and downhill brake control. Another standard spec which came in handy in tight parking spaces was the park distance control. And top it off, all Kias come with an unlimited kilometre, five-year warranty, as well as a standard 5-year/90 000km service plan and 5 years of roadside assistance.

Sportage Pricing: