Compromise could be the middle road
There is a greener path between traditional motoring and fully-electric models , says Carmel Stewart
The world of car buying is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. The message seems to be that combustion engines are being phased out so buy electric asap but when you get to the dealership the message is sorry mate, sir, madam,wedon’thaveanyelectric cars available and the waiting time is six, 12, 18, 24 months or even more.
Not the dealerships’ fault but they are at the sharp end of the automotive business so inevitably have to take the flak. And what about the poor old punter who needs/wants/was looking forward to a new car? Well perhaps a little compromise is called for. Roll up the PHEV aka the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Not fully electric, not purely combustion but a mix of the two and capable of bridging the gap – and in some cases more than capable – until all electric production catches up with demand.
A good place to start might be at your Kia dealership and the all-new Sportage which has the big benefit of being available with hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid power trains as well as petrol/ diesel. There is still a waiting time but not as drastic. The plug-in hybrid could be with you in the autumn - October to December this year - while you could be behind the wheel of the mild hybrid Sportage this summer – July/August – and ditto combustion power.
Once your chosen version arrives, you will be driving the fifth generation of Kia’s bestselling model worldwide. It has a choice of powertrains and trims which vary according to power choice. The PHEV (plug in hybrid) version tested is available in four grades: GTLine, 3, 4 and GT-Line S.
Built in Slovakia, the PHEV Sportage is fractionally longer, wider and higher than the previous model and is powered by a 1.6litre T-GDi petrol engine together with a 66.9kW permanent magnet traction electric motor and a 13.8kW lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The combination makes for total power availability of 261bhp, economy of 252mpg and an emissions free range of 43miles electric power alone – so more than enough for the averagedailycommute.Charging takes between one hour 45mins and five hours 27mins, depending on the charger.
On the road, the Sportage is as smooth and as comfortable asiteverwaswithallthepower combinations in perfect harmony and a seamless switch between EV and combustion.
Standard spec includes electronic AWD, six-speed automatictransmission,Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, paddle shift, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera. Opt for a higher spec and you will enjoy the delight of a 360 degree camera which displays a picture on the dash of the traffic behind every time you flick the indicator.
But all this automotive excellence comes at a price and, while not a cheap one, the generous spec list helps to
soften the blow.
The AWD GT-Line 1.6 TGDi will set you back £38,395. A step up to 3 Grade is £39, 045. Grade 4, £41,795 while the top spec GT-Line is a deep pocket £43,795.