When it comes to the popular crossover SUV market there are 2 big names that stand out from the others.
First, the Nissan Qashqai, and also this the Kia Sportage
Believe it or not, the Sportage is actually now in its fourth generation but it wasn't until the 3rd gen model
the predecessor to this new look version that things really started to take off
Almost overnight, sales shot up from around 5,000 a year to more than 23,000
here in the UK last year. So, no pressure for this new model then, right?
Now, subscribers will know that we've already had the new
Sportage in to test just a few months ago. If you haven’t seen the video yet you can watch
it now by clicking on the link on screen, and if you haven’t subscribed yet – well,
what are you waiting for? The difference this time round we’ve got
a petrol engine rather than a diesel, and it’s also the GT Line trim which is new
for this year and which adds sportier styling like 19-inch alloy wheels, twin tailpipes
and this flat-bottomed steering wheel. We’ve previously spoken about the Sportage’s
smart interior which we reckon rivals the best in its class for classiness with its mix of materials
and large infotainment screen, and these comfortable leather seats.
The GT Line model neatly sits in the middle of the range, and in addition to the exterior
styling, which I personally reckon takes some of the edge off the Sportage’s new slightly, err, controversial,
looks, you also get some of the kit usually reserved for the car’s higher trims.
That means the likes of heated front and rear seats, parking sensors, a reversing camera, dual
zone climate control and automatic lights and wipers.
Despite the Sportage’s sloping roof there is plenty of room back here
and I have to say that these seats are some of the comfiest I’ve sat in.
Twin ISOFIX attachments are great for child seats, and although space back here mightn't be class leading
there are still lots of little storage cubbies and pockets which are great for longer journeys
Boot space is fairly average for its class as well with
with 491 litres with the rear seats folded up, fold them down and it’s got 1,492 litres
– or 1,480 on models like this with four-wheel drive.
The boot is wide and well-shaped too, but the tall height of the Sportage might make
loading heavier items a bit more bothersome.
As popular as it was, the previous Sportage could be a bit of a pig on the road.
As a result this latest model has had its setup tuned considerably and
as a result drives just so much better than its predecessor.
Granted, It’s still no Mazda CX-5, which in my opinion sets the bar in its class for driving dynamics, but it’s
remarkably controlled in the corner’s for a car of its size and height. Likewise, the electric
steering has gotten a new motor to improve its accuracy and
feedback so you can really feel what what the front of the car’s doing on the road.
We’ve previously tried the diesel engines including the 1.7-litre diesel which is probably
the best all-rounder, but this time round we've got the single 1.6-litre
turbo petrol choice. It might seem like a bit more of a niche option these days, but
there’s plenty to like about it with 174bhp on tap.
Power delivery is smooth and the engine pulls well with plenty of torque, and really the pace
that this thing can cover on the road actually quite impressive. 0-62mph will take
you 9.2 seconds, and although normally we’d advise automatics for this sort of car the
manual gearbox really suits it, even if it’s not the most smooth shifting gearbox around.
It’s hard to recommend the diesels as the most fun engines in the range, but
then it’s hard to recommend the petrol for anybody who's anyway included to efficiency. This car
comes with four-wheel drive as standard and so far we've managed only just over 30mpg
with 177g/km of CO2, fairly poor figures in this day and age.
The Sportage range starts from £17,995
while for this GT Line you'l have to spend at least £24,350, the Mazda CX-5, which is better
looking and better to drive out of the box, is by comparison almost a grand cheaper.
Of course, the Kia benefits from the manufacturer’s much lauded seven-year warranty, but beware
your engine choice as depending on whether you go petrol or diesel the Sportage can be
as cheap or as expensive to run as you make it.
The fourth-generation Kia Sportage mightn’t make quite as giant a leap as its predecessor
did, but it’s undeniably a much more refined and well-rounded product.
Whether you’re a fan of the new face or not, the GT Line package certainly adds better
looks and some more desirable extras, while the petrol engine is smooth and strong, if
not as economical as many of its rivals. Do you own a new Kia Sportage or are you in the market
for one soon? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and don’t forget
to subscribe to our YouTube channel.