Sportage offers comfort and joy
THE Kia Sportage launched in 2010 raised the bar for other mid-size crossovers to aim at and came with very generous equipment as standard.
All secondhand models will come with the remains of the manufacturer’s industryleading seven-year warranty which is good for 100,000 miles and transferable to new owners.
This family-sized five-door hatch is powered by 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines with power ranging from 133 to 181bhp, or 1.7 and 2.0-litre diesels with 114 or 134bhp.
By far the majority sold in this country will have the diesels, but only the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models came with four-wheel drive.
Of course, two-wheel drive saves a lot of weight and improves economy so if you don’t need it, my best buy is the 1.7-litre.
This was the third generation Sportage and Kia’s biggest selling model in this country, so there should be plenty to choose from.
In common with most crossovers, it has a decent compromise between a comfortable ride and decent road-holding.
There is a fair amount of roll in the corners, but it grips well and feels assured, even though the steering doesn’t give much feedback.
Comfort is very good over most surfaces, smoothing out almost every road with ease.
There’s not much side support in the seats, but few Sportage owners are going to be throwing it around.
Those seats are very comfortable and, of course, the high driving position gives a marvellous view all round, only restricted by rather hefty fonrt and back body pillars.
Road and wind noise are very well subdued and while the diesel engines are noisy on start up, the 1.7 particularly is much quieter once warm.
High levels of equipment come with every model and include aircon, electric windows all round, rainsensing wipers, cruise control, Bluetooth and distinctive LED day running lights.
Higher trim levels offer the sort of standard kit you would expect in cars from the much more expensive class above.
Pay about £9,750 for an ’11 11-reg “2”, or £13,700 for a ’14 14-reg Alpine Edition.