Kia Sportage Crossover full 9 point review
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Performance
Buyers can choose from a pair of 2.0-litre engines: a 140bhp petrol and a 138bhp turbodiesel. The performance of the petrol engine is best described as adequate - if you’re not in a hurry. The diesel is a better bet, thanks to its 225lb ft of pull, although this does arrive with a sudden surge. Those who don’t require off-road ability can specify either model in cheaper two-wheel-drive form.
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Ride & Handling
The ride is reasonably comfortable, but it gets bouncy over bumpy surfaces and there’s a lot of body lean in corners. Models with four-wheel drive send all their power to the front wheels in normal driving, but to all four when more traction is needed. The system delivers reasonable off-road performance.
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Refinement
Despite the large tyres and roof rails, road- and wind noise are reasonably well suppressed. The diesel engine is coarse around town and when pushed hard, but it blends into the background at a steady motorway cruise. The petrol is smoother, but still becomes noisy at high revs.
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Buying & Owning
The Sportage is cheaper to buy than many rival Crossovers and running costs should also be reasonable, although depreciation will be heavy. Surprisingly, the diesel isn't much more economical than the petrol, with the four-wheel drive model averaging 39.8mpg compared with the equivalent petrol’s 34.4mpg. A seven-year warranty adds confidence.
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Quality & Reliability
The cabin seems sturdy and built to last, but it's not up to the standards set by Japanese rivals, because most of the materials look and feel rather functional. The Sportage has a reasonable reliability record, but owners report a high number of transmission and ventilation problems.
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Safety & Security
Every Sportage comes with twin front, side and curtain airbags, traction control and anti-lock brakes linked to the latest electronic stopping aids, but you have to opt for the pricier Titan model to get stability control. Security is addressed by deadlocks and an alarm.
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Behind The Wheel
The steering wheel adjusts for height only, and although you can change the angle as well as the height of the seat base, there's a limited range of movement. The instruments are clear and easy to read and the heating controls are simple rotary dials. Operating the stereo is a fuss-free affair, too.
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Space & Practicality
Tall adults may find rear headroom a little tight, but otherwise the Sportage has plenty of room for five and their luggage. The rear seats split 60/40 and fold completely flat to create a generous load bay. The rear screen also lifts up to allow small items to be loaded into the boot without the need to open the tailgate.
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Equipment
The Sportage is generously equipped for the money. Even the base XE model comes with air-conditioning, front and rear electric windows, alloy wheels, colour-coded bumpers and a CD player. Upgrading to the pricier XS model brings leather upholstery, climate control and cruise control. Titan models add privacy glass, heated seats, an electric sunroof and 17-inch alloys. The two-wheel-drive diesel comes with an automatic gearbox as standard.
Sportage rivals
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Kia Sportage Crossover 2.0 CRDi XE 2WD 5dr
Surely, if you want a Sportage, you want 4WD, don't you? Yes, you save some money, but you lose an awful lot of ability.
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