USED CAR OF THE YEAR KIA SPORTAGE Mk3

WHY IT WON SUV mixes style, efficiency, practicality and peace of mind

IT’S a double whammy for Kia in our 2016 awards. Not only has its Approved Used scheme picked up a trophy (Page 68), the Sportage is our Used Car of the Year.

With its rakish looks, spacious cabin and low running costs, the third-generation SUV ticks all the boxes for buyers wanting a family car bargain. Plus, the brand’s industry-leading seven-year warranty brings new car peace of mind to the used market.

The Mk3 Sportage is attractively priced, too; £8,000 is enough to get you behind the wheel of an early car. It’s likely to have high miles, but there shouldn’t be any mechanical worries, with owners placing the SUV well inside the top 50 for reliability in our Driver Power 2016 satisfaction survey. However, this is arguably the first Kia that’s as desirable as it is sensible.

For instance, the bold looks give the car bags of kerb appeal, while there’s a real premium feel to the interior. You’ll struggle to tell the difference between an example that’s done 2,000 miles and one that’s travelled 10 times that distance.

There’s loads of room inside, too, while the cavernous boot will accommodate an estate carrivalling 564 litres of luggage. Plus, as you’d expect from Kia, it features all the equipment you’ll need. All versions get air-conditioning, cruise control and Bluetooth, while 2, 3 and 4 models add everything from sat-nav to powered, leather-trimmed seats.

You’ll also be spoiled for choice when it comes to engines, plus there’s the option of two or four-wheel drive. It’s the punchy and refined 1.7-litre diesel that gets our vote. Equipped with the brand’s Ecodynamics technology, it claims more than 50mpg at the pumps and emits less than 150g/km of CO2.

So this SUV is frugal as well as stylish, spacious and cheaper to buy than an entry-level supermini. There really are no catches with a used Sportage.