Kia Sportage SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The Kia Sportage SUV crossover is another in a long line of successful working cum sports vehicles. It has a whole basketful of integral safety goodies, the aerodynamism of arrow and a high level specification. The cabin upholstery is top quality and the makers have enough confidence in their product to give them all a market leading seven year warranty. The 2012 Kia Sportage SUV will not see any big innovations. It was significantly redesigned for the current models. The Kia Sportage SUV is a development from fundamental design of the popular Hyundai Tucson with more curvaceous styling and upgraded powertrains. The premium models have sport suspension and exclusive trim. This last model is the premium ride. Lots of fun, versatile and very quick when you need it. Passengers in the back didn't enjoy it quite as much as the driver since their seats are immoveable and make a quick cornering a little white knuckle ride. The cargo space won't take as many packages or buggies as other SUV crossovers but it is still excellent value for the money. The lines are designer but not the name or the price.
There are four trim levels, the Base, the LX, EX and SX. Every model has a standard 176hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. The premium SX has a bigger 256hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. The six speed manual transmission is the mainstay of the Base, while all other versions have a 6-speed automatic. Front two wheel drive can be had on all Kia Sportage SUVs and four wheel drive is a choice for the three higher trim levels. The 4X4 system does not have low range gearing rather a toggle on the dashboard that sets a half and half power split between front and rear wheels. Kia also offer a range of excellent engines including an all-new 1.7 CRDi diesel version driving the front wheel drive standard. It also has an intelligent 'stop - go' operating process and a 6 speed manual transmission. This powerhouse gives 54.3 miles per gallon on the combined town and highway measures and the carbon dioxide emissions are just 135g/Km. On the Base the mileage is 21mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway. Safety features abound with antilock braking, traction control, an anti-skid system, front and side airbags. The Base trim also has iPod connectivity and Bluetooth.
The Kia Sportage SUVs were marketed under the makers motto 'the power to surprise'. Which is OK first time around when drivers buy it because it's cheap and are genuinely surprised by the quality and reliability of the vehicle. But what do Kia do for an encore. The Kia Sportage SUVs look as good but nothing different to other compact crossovers. The sloping roof line looks sporty but compromises both the cargo space, the passenger headroom and the rear driving visibility. You really need your wing mirrors set to tell you if the car behind is a cop or not. But these minor criticism apart the Kia Sportage SUVs are still very pleasantly surprising.
There are four trim levels, the Base, the LX, EX and SX. Every model has a standard 176hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. The premium SX has a bigger 256hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. The six speed manual transmission is the mainstay of the Base, while all other versions have a 6-speed automatic. Front two wheel drive can be had on all Kia Sportage SUVs and four wheel drive is a choice for the three higher trim levels. The 4X4 system does not have low range gearing rather a toggle on the dashboard that sets a half and half power split between front and rear wheels. Kia also offer a range of excellent engines including an all-new 1.7 CRDi diesel version driving the front wheel drive standard. It also has an intelligent 'stop - go' operating process and a 6 speed manual transmission. This powerhouse gives 54.3 miles per gallon on the combined town and highway measures and the carbon dioxide emissions are just 135g/Km. On the Base the mileage is 21mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway. Safety features abound with antilock braking, traction control, an anti-skid system, front and side airbags. The Base trim also has iPod connectivity and Bluetooth.
The Kia Sportage SUVs were marketed under the makers motto 'the power to surprise'. Which is OK first time around when drivers buy it because it's cheap and are genuinely surprised by the quality and reliability of the vehicle. But what do Kia do for an encore. The Kia Sportage SUVs look as good but nothing different to other compact crossovers. The sloping roof line looks sporty but compromises both the cargo space, the passenger headroom and the rear driving visibility. You really need your wing mirrors set to tell you if the car behind is a cop or not. But these minor criticism apart the Kia Sportage SUVs are still very pleasantly surprising.
