Kia Sportage Crossover full 9 point review
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Performance
Diesel engines are popular in cars like these, and the Sportage has two to choose from. The 114bhp 1.7 is flat at low revs, and although the 134bhp 2.0 is much quicker, it’s still not as flexible as some rivals. The 1.6-litre petrol is interesting, though – it’s not exactly fast, but it feels perkier than the smaller diesel and is cheap to buy. We haven’t yet driven the 161bhp 2.0 petrol.
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Ride & Handling
The Sportage can be had with either two- or four-wheel drive. All versions have plenty of grip and it handles well enough, although it’s not as much fun as a Ford Kuga or VW Tiguan. The steering reacts quickly, but is frustratingly vague. At low speed, the ride is reasonable, so it's a pity it becomes easily unsettled by poor surfaces at higher speeds.
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Refinement
The Sportage’s diesel engines are a little boomy when you rev them, but the noise melts away well on the motorway. The 1.7 petrol is also pretty smooth, too. It’s a shame, then, that the amount of wind- and road noise that filters through to the cabin at speed is enough to warrant turning up the stereo. The manual gearshift is unsatisfying, too.
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Buying & Owning
The Sportage is cheap to buy considering the huge amount of standard equipment you get. Running costs shouldn’t be too high, either, because all the engines are competitive on fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Resale values are pretty strong, thanks partly to the seven-year warranty.
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Quality & Reliability
The Sportage isn’t as classy as a Nissan Qashqai inside, but it’s not far off. The cabin is attractive and uses some appealing materials, while the controls have a precise, sturdy feel and the build quality is good. It’s too early to predict long-term reliability, but there’s the reassurance of Kia’s seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
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Safety & Security
Every Sportage comes with a full array of safety kit. There are front, side and curtain airbags, as well as active front head restraints, along with Isofix child-seat mountings for the outer rear seats. Stability control and a hill-start system come as standard, too, as does a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-teest rating. Deadlocks, an alarm, locking wheelnuts and a visible VIN help to deter thieves.
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Behind The Wheel
The Sportage’s dashboard is straightforward, with a sensible layout and switches that are easy to use. The driver’s seat offers decent support, too, and there’s a good range of adjustment for both that and the steering wheel. The thick front pillars can obscure your view at times, however, and the rear window is small.
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Space & Practicality
The Sportage is practical enough to be a fine family car. There’s lots of headroom all-round and although some rivals have a mite more legroom in the back, there’s enough for tall adults. The almost-flat floor is a boon, too, while the boot is large and well shaped. It’s rather disappointing that the rear seats don’t fold totally flat, however.
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Equipment
Even the entry-level Sportages are specced up to the nines, so there’s no need to climb too far up the range. 1 models come with alloys, air-con, four powered windows, a rain sensor, Bluetooth and cruise control. 2-trimmed models add parking sensors, a sunroof and part-leather seats, while 3 trim brings full leather, climate control and xenon headlamps.
Sportage rivals
Sportage used car reviews
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Kia Sportage Crossover 1.6 GDi 1 2WD 5dr
We reckon this is the Sportage to go for. It’s the cheapest to buy, offers more flexible performance than the 1.7 diesel, and it still has the sharp looks, family-friendly cabin and extensive kit list that make the Sportage so appealing.
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