SPORTING GREAT
Latest version of this family SUV is among the best in its class, writes Matt Allan
It’s easy to talk about a new version of a car being an important step for its manufacturer - every new model should be a step forward - but some really are a big deal. Like the new Kia Sportage. This fifth generation of its family SUV is an important one for a few reasons. Firstly, the Sportage is the brand’s bestselling model here in the UK, in Europeandglobally,sothenew model needs to maintain that performance.
Secondly, for the first time, Europe is getting its own model designed and engineered for our roads and tastes.
Thirdly, after working its way up from leftfield budget option to a solid also-ran, this latest model could challenge the best in its segment.
Rather than an evolution of the previous generation, the latestsportageisbuiltonanew platform and is longer, wider and taller. It’s also far more dramatic looking.
Perhaps it’s a sign of Kia’s ever-growing confidence as a brand but the new Sportage’s design is bold and aggressive, with a prominent full-width honeycombgrille,boomerangshaped running lights that wrap around the LED headlights and prominent gaps beneath the bonnet’s leading edge. It’s possibly even more striking to look at than the closely related Hyundai Tucson, especially with its angular tail lights and fullwidth rear light bar.
Inside, Kia’s march towards serious mainstream player continues with a vastly improved cabin. The material quality and layout is a noticeable step forwards compared with the fourth-generation car and it’s more than a match for rivals like the Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca. The mix of gloss black plastic and metal-effect trim is so common that it no longer feels premiumbutthesportagedoes it as well as any rival and the interior is enhanced by subtle ambient lighting.
Dominating the dashboard on all but entry-level cars are a pair of sharp 12.3-inch displays housing the instruments and infotainment system. Beneath thecentralscreenanintriguing arrangement sees the heating and media functions share the same set of slimline controls, with users switching between them with the press of a single button.it’saninterestingwayto reduce clutter while retaining easy-to-find and operate controls, including proper dials for the dual-zone climate control.elsewhere,usbportsbuilt intothefrontseatsandcoat/bag hooks integrated into the headrests are among other clever user-friendly touches.
While rear space is improved on the previous generation it’s still not as generous as the best in class, although wide opening doors and the SUV’S taller ride height mean getting the very young or very old in is straightforward.
In times when I’m no longer surprised by a £40k Ford Kuga, to find that my high-spec test car came in at less than £31,000 reallypulledtherugfromunder me.partofthatisbecauseithas astraightforwardpetrolengine rather than a hybrid setup but even the full hybrid version is lessthan£35,000andtherange starts at just over £27,000.
Once again, Kia has managed tocraminmorefeaturesforless money than many rivals, with everything from those twin 12.3-inchdisplaystoheatedrear seats standard on this ‘3’ level car. It does miss out on some features-wirelessphonecharging/mirroring, for example but there’s nothing you’d miss on a daily basis. What’s more, even basic cars get pedestrian and cyclist detecting collision warning, lane keep assist and front and rear sensors, plus a reversing camera.
As mentioned, my test car was the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol with a six-speed manual gearbox. With 148bhp, the engine feels punchy enough for day-to-day use and is pretty refined, getting just a bit growly at higher revs. Mid-40s economywouldoncehavebeen considered witchcraft from a petrol SUV, now it’s acceptable but not outstanding. Choosing this engine with an auto transmission adds mild hybrid assistance, good for an extra 2mpg and a 6g/km reduction in emissions, apparently.
Also now on sale are full hybrid and plug-in hybrids. The FHEV offers 226bhp and 48.7mg while, officially, the PHEV will cover up to 43 miles onachargeandreturn252mpg. That’s better than a plug-in Kuga, Vauxhall Grandland or Peugeot 3008, while the FHEV is slightly down on efficiency compared with the Kuga or
Nissan’s unusual rangeextender Qashqai.
Part of the aim of the Europespecific Sportage was to better match the car to our roads and driving, and the new model feels more secure and controlled than its predecessor. Handlingisdecentbutnotspectacular but more importantly, the ride comfort is very, very good. It’s certainly better than a Kuga or Ateca and as good as a Qashqaiorcr-vbutwithbetter body control.
That’s true of virtually every facet of the Sportage, from driving experience to design, quality and value - it’s as good or better than any of its major rivalsanddeservestobeconsidered one of the best maintream options in its class.