Kia Sportage CRDI 48v
Popular family SUV gets mild-hybrid power. Is it a hit?
MANY car makers are betting heavily on an electrified future, just as others plough ahead with diesel. Some, such as Kia, are combining the two.
The range-topping Sportage 2.0 CRDI 48v isn’t as complex as the forthcoming Mercedes C 300 de plug-in, but it should mix the efficiency of a hybrid with the long-distance range of a diesel. You’ll pay for the privilege, however, because this mid-size SUV is almost as pricey as Kia’s mid-range seven-seat Sorento.
Here, a 48-volt electrical system feeds power to a lithium-ion battery. The cells are topped up when braking or coasting to offer a boost under acceleration. This, Kia says, aids efficiency.
The set-up feels punchy enough. But there’s a strange surge higher up the rev range, as if the turbo wakes up late to give you a hit of extra shove. Whether this is to do with the hybrid tech or the dual-clutch gearbox, we’re not so sure.
It’s difficult to pick up the presence of the former, apart from when the motor switches off as you approach a junction. The box makes itself known, however, with sluggish responses and lethargic changes. It’s not the best combination, and hampers what is otherwise a good engine with decent refinement.
The chassis isn’t the sweetest, either. The Sportage has an unusual trait of bouncing around at around 40mph and lacks control. It’s better the faster you go, but even on the motorway there are better-riding cars in this class.
Body roll is controlled quite well, admittedly, and the steering is responsive. But there’s very little feel or change in weight as you apply lock; it’s fit for purpose, but not engaging.
This mild-hybrid model arrives as part of the Sportage’s mid-life facelift, which includes tweaked styling and a fresh infotainment system. The eight-inch display on our Gt-line S model uses the same menu layout as before, but with sharper graphics and faster load times.
Quality is good – if a little shy of the German premium brands’. While that may seem like an unfair comparison, at this price those are the cars the topspec Kia has to contend with. The new Audi Q3 raises the game in this area, and the Sportage’s functional but slightly dull layout can’t come close.
Space in the back seats is largely unaffected by the mild-hybrid system,
Price: Engine: Power/torque: Transmission: 0-60mph: Top speed: Economy: CO2: £34,545 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel 182bhp/400nm
Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
9.2 seconds 125mph 48.7mpg 152g/km
FIRST UK DRIVE Does refreshed electrified diesel SUV make sense in the UK? Sportage CRDI 48V Kia