Kia Sportage review

The Sportage is okay for tall drivers in the front, but its rivals offer greater space for anyone really long in the leg. Head room is decent, but the panoramic sunroof, which is standard on 3 and GT-Line S trims, has the effect of lowering the ceiling height a little.

Storage is generous, with door pockets that are each large enough to take a bottle of water, plus trays for a phone and keys and two fixed cupholders behind the gearlever. There's a good-sized glovebox, too.

The Sportage is on a par with most rivals in this area, with enough leg, head and elbow room to keep two tall adults comfortable. A low central tunnel in the floor leaves more foot space for the middle passenger than some rivals offer, but some will find the flat, firm seat cushions a little uncomfortable on longer journeys. Once again, the panoramic sunroof does steal a little head room, so make sure you try before you buy.

All models get pockets on the backs of the front seats, two coat hooks and a fold-down centre rear armrest that houses two cupholders. The rear door pockets are each big enough to hold a half-litre drinks bottle.

The Sportage offers reclining rear seats so passengers can lean back at an indulgent angle. They don’t slide back and forth, though, or allow you to remove them entirely like those in certain versions of the Skoda Karoq do. The rear bench has a 60/40 split fold, again not as handy as our preferred Karoq’s 40/20/40 split, but typical for the class.

The front passenger seat is height-adjustable in all versions and has eight-way electric adjustment on 3 and GT Line S trims. Only the driver gets adjustable lumbar support, though. 

The Sportage has a big boot – bigger than the Nissan Qashqai's and, with the rear seats in use, it’s longer than the Seat Ateca's. It isn't quite as big as the Skoda Karoq's, though, but you'll have no issue getting a child’s buggy or a couple of sets of golf clubs inside.

It has a floor that lies flush with the boot opening, so it's easy to heave bulky items in and out. When you drop the rear seats, they lie flat and flush to the floor – convenient when you need to slide something long and awkward all the way up to the back of the front seats.