KIA Sportage

Overview

For a mass-market player like Kia, the segment of premium crossovers was a field where it had to make a successful attempt in order to make its mark on the global growth as an emerging player. And with the Sportage, it has executed this task pretty well. Born originally in 1993 as a quirky looking crossover, the Sportage has grown into a handsome looking vehicle and is currently sold in its fourth generation avatar. Built on the same platform as its sister concern Hyundai’s Tucson, the Kia Sportage is available with only one diesel engine shared with the former.

Interior & Features

On the inside, the Kia Sportage feels as large as on the outside, with the overall cabin scoring good marks in terms of airy appeal and build quality. However, the one area where it could have done better is the dashboard layout, which has begun to show its age.

The flat bottom steering wheel feels nice and chunky to hold. While the instrument console with a large black and white screen in the centre is informative as well as it looks premium despite having a very simple layout. The centre console is a large mix-up of several buttons for the music system, climate control, and looks a bit old school due to the absence of a modern touchscreen unit, which feels appalling in a car of this size and segment. However, the piano black inserts around climate control, as well as large panoramic sunroof, look rich and premium.

In terms of space and features, the Sportage might lack a bit in front of the competition. But it still feels complete as well as accommodating enough thanks to the levels of fit and finish this car comes with.

Exterior

Given how advanced the segment of premium crossovers has become, it is quite surprising that the Kia Sportage still manages to look fresh and appealing even after existing for almost three years without a single big change. This is possible thanks to a unique design language it carries, which makes it look stand out from the crowd.

At the front, the Kia Sportage has got the company’s trademark “Tiger Nose” grille with chrome surrounds and a unique chrome garnish within the grille, thus giving it a larger than the actual front nose. The headlamp units are positioned at the upper corners of this grille with projector units within them. With the vertical housings for LED fog lamps, it adds to the overall uniqueness of the front fascia. However, the presence of daytime running LEDs could have made the front look more appealing than what it actually is.

From the sides, the Kia Sportage looks large as well as feels very much SUV-like, thanks to a raised height, large wheels, side cladding job and high ground clearance. The front profile of the Sportage feels aerodynamic. While it lacks any significant characteristic line or curve, it still looks as well as feels modern and complete from the side.

The uniqueness of the front fascia has been subtly maintained towards the rear of the Sportage as well. The crossover gets large LED tail lamps joined with a nice LED strip and a chrome strip above it. The silver skid plates at both the front as well as rear, along with cladding, add to the toughness of the overall profile of the vehicle.

All these design elements surely give the Kia Sportage a sporty yet sophisticated appeal, and a timeless feel as well.

Ride & Handling

For a crossover of this size, the Kia Sportage has got a sufficient amount of ground clearance and large 19-inch alloy wheels. This not only gives it the much needed intimidating stance of an SUV, but also the equally needed towing ability over bad roads with fine prowess. The overall suspension, given its SUV credentials, has been tuned on a stiffer side. Although, thanks to a very impressive aerodynamic styling, the Sportage comes with minimal body roll, thus making it quite a capable handler.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

For the Philippines market, the Kia Sportage comes with only one powertrain option under its hood, which is a 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed conventional torque converter. The engine is the same unit which is already available with the Hyundai Tucson, and here on the Kia Sportage too, it has got the same tuning setup as well. The engine here produces a maximum power output of 185 bhp and a maximum torque output of 402 Nm of torque. While the absence of a petrol engine option is quite unavoidable, the oil burner here in question is also very refined and powerful with minimal turbo lag on offer.

Braking & Safety

The Sportage is one of the very high-profile premium vehicles in Kia’s lineup in the country. So it is pretty obvious that it comes loaded with the sufficient number of safety features. Apart from the regular equipment such as airbags (front, side, curtain), ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, hill hold assist, hill launch assist and engine immobilizer, The Sportage also comes equipped with some premium features such as drive mode selector between Normal, Eco and Sport modes, parking assist system and auto cruise control.

Verdict

Given the fact that it has been existing for three years without any significant change on the outside, the Kia Sportage has an appreciable design which still manages to look futuristic and premium, which only gets better with the stance of an high-raised SUV. However, the same cannot be said about the overall interior cabin, as although it scores heavily in terms of fit and finish, might not feel as modern as outside due to absence of a couple of crucial modern features. Apart from that, the diesel engine feels punchy and refined. At the same time, this premium crossover is in the middle ground of a sedan and an SUV when it comes to its on-road mannerisms, thus giving you the best of both the worlds.