Kia has been Hyundai’s 'other half' since 1998 when the latter acquired a majority stake during that decade’s Asian economic crisis.
The Sportage line dates back to 1993 but the model which made it a real contender in the broad and highly competitive compact SUV/crossover market was the third edition of 2010.
In a sector which tended towards a cautious sameness, the new Sportage was a stand-out car of style and presence. Evolving the previous model’s design theme, current (fourth generation) car came in 2015 and revisions for the 2019 model year saw new engines and transmissions with a mild hybrid set-up for diesel variants.
Further adjustments to the range and equipment levels were made in May this year.
The Sportage line dates back to 1993 but the model which made it a real contender in the broad and highly competitive compact SUV/crossover market was the third edition of 2010.
In a sector which tended towards a cautious sameness, the new Sportage was a stand-out car of style and presence. Evolving the previous model’s design theme, current (fourth generation) car came in 2015 and revisions for the 2019 model year saw new engines and transmissions with a mild hybrid set-up for diesel variants.
Further adjustments to the range and equipment levels were made in May this year.
Kia’s best-selling car globally in 2016, the Sportage remains “No.1” for the company in the UK and, EU-wide, yielding top spot only recently (and closely) to the new Ceed family hatchback range. European Sportage models are produced at Zilina, Slovakia.
Kia’s EU+EFTA annual sales topped half a million for the first time last year giving it a 3.2% market share overall. Hyundai-Kia’s combined share (EU+EFTA) was 6.7% with sales of just over 1m units securing fourth place among the region’s top 15 players.
Mild hybrid incorporates a lithium-ion 48V battery and enhanced stop-start. No electric-only running but it lightens the load on the engine during acceleration and/or hill ascent with energy recuperation on descent, in the cruise and when braking – performance and economy improved but emissions lowered.
The 4x4 system is the familiar set-up of front-wheel-drive under normal conditions with auto-activation of the rear axle should the need arise. It is available on five of the 17-model range. Up to 40% of the drive can go to the rear axle and, up to 19mph, drive can be locked 50-50 to the two axles to optimise traction.
It will cancel out at 25mph but re-activate if speed slows to 19mph again. Stop-start can be switched off at any time but, when off-road, progress is helped further by hill-start and hill-descent assist. The electronics include trailer sway mitigation.
The extra battery (underfloor) has had little effect on load-space and the cabin generally remains roomy and comfortable. The vehicle rides well for its type – a ‘high-rise’ body demands stiffer suspension. Steering/road-holding too are clearly up to the job if not class-leading. A relaxed, undemanding ‘get-you-from-A-to-B’ car.
There’s been the usual equipment up-grade (to complement an external refresh) with a further step-up in cabin quality. The cars are well-specified, mid-range models especially, but having to go via the main screen menu to ‘dial up’ a call rather than press a button is not a step forward. Otherwise the whole layout is well-planned and user-friendly. This very easy-to-live-with nature explains much of the Kia’s appeal.
Model Line-Up: ‘2’; ‘3’; ‘GT-Line’; ‘GT-Line S’; £23,445 - £34,325. Auto-only 4x4s start at £25,555 (‘2’ petrol 174bhp) and Diesels at £30,575 (‘GT-Line’).
Facts & Figures: GT-Line 1.6 CRDi 4x4; 112mph; 0-60 - 11.6secs; 46.3mpg (official comb); CO2 159g/km; Road Tax £150 (1st yr £540 incl in purchase price); Ins Grp 21; Braked Trailer Max 1,600kg (Petrol 174bhp – 1,900kg). Warranty - seven years or 100,000 miles
Verdict: Well-equipped. Sat Nav with full connectivity now standard for all grades. Mid-range models the more price-competitive, most expensive ones a little less so.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
Kia’s EU+EFTA annual sales topped half a million for the first time last year giving it a 3.2% market share overall. Hyundai-Kia’s combined share (EU+EFTA) was 6.7% with sales of just over 1m units securing fourth place among the region’s top 15 players.
Mild hybrid incorporates a lithium-ion 48V battery and enhanced stop-start. No electric-only running but it lightens the load on the engine during acceleration and/or hill ascent with energy recuperation on descent, in the cruise and when braking – performance and economy improved but emissions lowered.
The 4x4 system is the familiar set-up of front-wheel-drive under normal conditions with auto-activation of the rear axle should the need arise. It is available on five of the 17-model range. Up to 40% of the drive can go to the rear axle and, up to 19mph, drive can be locked 50-50 to the two axles to optimise traction.
It will cancel out at 25mph but re-activate if speed slows to 19mph again. Stop-start can be switched off at any time but, when off-road, progress is helped further by hill-start and hill-descent assist. The electronics include trailer sway mitigation.
The extra battery (underfloor) has had little effect on load-space and the cabin generally remains roomy and comfortable. The vehicle rides well for its type – a ‘high-rise’ body demands stiffer suspension. Steering/road-holding too are clearly up to the job if not class-leading. A relaxed, undemanding ‘get-you-from-A-to-B’ car.
There’s been the usual equipment up-grade (to complement an external refresh) with a further step-up in cabin quality. The cars are well-specified, mid-range models especially, but having to go via the main screen menu to ‘dial up’ a call rather than press a button is not a step forward. Otherwise the whole layout is well-planned and user-friendly. This very easy-to-live-with nature explains much of the Kia’s appeal.
Model Line-Up: ‘2’; ‘3’; ‘GT-Line’; ‘GT-Line S’; £23,445 - £34,325. Auto-only 4x4s start at £25,555 (‘2’ petrol 174bhp) and Diesels at £30,575 (‘GT-Line’).
Facts & Figures: GT-Line 1.6 CRDi 4x4; 112mph; 0-60 - 11.6secs; 46.3mpg (official comb); CO2 159g/km; Road Tax £150 (1st yr £540 incl in purchase price); Ins Grp 21; Braked Trailer Max 1,600kg (Petrol 174bhp – 1,900kg). Warranty - seven years or 100,000 miles
Verdict: Well-equipped. Sat Nav with full connectivity now standard for all grades. Mid-range models the more price-competitive, most expensive ones a little less so.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
RSS Feed