Review
/5
- Pros:
- Comprehensive standard equipment levels
- Inexpensive to buy and own
- Spacious cabin and large boot
- Cons:
- Some poor quality plastics inside
- Bouncy suspension on all but the smoothest roads
- Visibility at the rear
reviewed by Carbuyer
"Kia's Sportage proves just how far the brand has come. It's a good value, practical and smart contender in the growing crossover market."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 1.7 CRDi 2 2WD 5dr
£20,595 - The cheapest
- 1.6 GDi 1 2WD 5dr
£17,295 - The fastest
- 2.0 KX-2 AWD 5dr
£21,525 - Top of the range
- 2.0 CRDi KX-3 Sat Nav AWD Auto 5dr
£26,920
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The Kia Sportage is not just a great sport utility vehicle, it's CarBuyer's first ever Car of the Year, as well as its Best 4x4. And no wonder... it's the Korean firm's best offering yet. Good enough to trouble all comers in the growing crossover market. The Sportage particularly appeals if you'd like to be noticed, as its futuristic styling is refreshingly different from the norm. Inside it looks good too, while standard equipment lists are lengthy. While the car was first introduced with a single 134bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, with four-wheel drive, it's the smaller petrol and diesel options with front-wheel drive that make most sense. All come with Kia's impressive seven-year, 100,000 mile warranty.
Drive
Ride is bouncy on undulating roads
Like all crossovers, the Sportage aims to blend the best of a family hatchback with that of a tall SUV in a single package. It's only partially successful. The Sportage isn’t as precise to drive as a good hatchback, its suspension being a bit bouncy on undulating roads. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel works well at low revs, while the smaller engines need to be worked a bit harder to keep up. Four-wheel drive versions are easy to operate, with a simple 4x4 lock switch to help with traction when it's needed. Visibility out the front is fine, but the small rear windows can make tight parking spaces tricky.
Comfort
Quiet and comfortable on long journeys
The diesel engine is a bit unrefined when it starts up from cold, but it soon quietens down. The Sportage exhibits very little wind or road noise, making it a relaxing long-distance proposition. The seats are relatively flat, yet provide good comfort, with head- and legroom in the back spacious enough for adult passengers. The driver's seat offers lots of adjustment, and the steering wheel moves for reach and rake.
Reliability
Seven-year warranty shows confidence in reliability
Kia's interiors in recent years have taken a quantum leap and although there's still the occasional piece of rippled plastic, the Sportage's cabin looks good. Kia is confident enough to provide a seven-year 100,000 mile warranty, so reliability should be impressive. Kia usually performs well in customer satisfaction surveys, too. Electronic stability control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, front, side and curtain airbags, a roll-over sensor and whiplash-preventing headrests take care of safety.
Practicality
Large boot and useful cabin storage
The boot is high up but usefully shaped and there's some additional space under the floor should you need it. The rear 60/40 split seatbacks fold at the push of a button to create a flat load bay. A lidded storage box in the centre console, a deep glovebox and door bins with bottle-shaped cut outs provide lots of useful stowage space inside.
Value for money
Cheap and loaded with goodies
Kia fully loads the Sportage with equipment, so it's unlikely you’ll find anything that you really need missing. All versions have air conditioning, alloy wheels and remote central locking. Spend a bit more on the range-topping models and you can add leather heated seats, privacy glass and a rear-view parking camera. Pricing undercuts mainstream rivals, too, making the Sportage a good value choice.
Running costs
Cheap to tax, run, and service
The 1.6-litre petrol and 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine with Kia's stop-start technology are the most economical choices, producing 44mpg and 54mpg. Emissions are also low for a SUV, at 149g/km and 135g/km. The range-topping 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine returns 47.1mpg and emits 156g/km of CO2 - meaning it’ll cost you £155 a year to tax. Servicing costs undercut European and Japanese rivals.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
