Kia Sportage 2022 review
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 10/10
- How practical is the interior space? 9/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- What is it like to drive? 9/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
- Verdict
You know that Daniel Radcliffe was just a clumsy guy from Harry Potter and now he's a crudely handsome but quirky guy who could easily play James Bond? That's what happened to the Kia Sportage.
This mid-size SUV has evolved from a small car in 2016 to a larger new generation model.
After reading this review of the new Sportage range, you will know more than a car dealer. You'll find out how much it costs, which Sportage is best for you, all about its safety tech, how practical it is, how much it costs to maintain and what it's like to drive.
Ready? Go.
| Kia Sportage 2022: S (front) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.0L |
| fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 8.1l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $34,445 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
The entry point to the Sportage line is the S trim with a 2.0-liter engine and manual transmission, which costs $32,445. If you want a car, it will be $ 34,445 XNUMX. S with this engine only front-wheel drive.
The 2.0-liter engine is also included in the SX trim and costs $35,000 for the manual transmission and the 37,000 is $2.0 for the automatic. The 41,000-liter engine in the SX+ version costs $ XNUMX XNUMX, and it is only an automatic.
The entry-level S comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity.
Also, only cars have configurations with a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol and diesel engine, they are also only all-wheel drive.
There is an SX+ with a 1.6-liter engine for $43,500 and a GT-Line for $49,370.
Then comes the diesel: $39,845 S, $42,400 SX, $46,900 SX+, and $52,370 GT-Line.
Entry-class S comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, digital instrument cluster, six-speaker stereo, rearview camera and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise -control, fabric seats, air conditioning, LED headlights and those same LED running lights.
A wireless phone charger is included with the GT-Line.
The SX adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (but you'll need a cord), sat-nav and dual-zone climate control.
The SX+ gets 19-inch alloy wheels, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, heated front seats with power driver's seat, privacy glass and a proximity key.
The GT-Line has dual curved 12.3-inch screens, leather seats (power front) and a panoramic sunroof.
The best place in the lineup is the SX+ with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. This is the best value for money with the best engine.
The GT Line has an eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 10/10
The new generation Sportage is a boxy, aggressive-looking beauty... at least in my opinion.
I love that it seems to be designed with no concern for whether people like it or not, and it's this bold confidence in its uniqueness that I think will captivate people and prevent it from getting too familiar.
There aren't many midsize SUVs these days that don't have opposing faces. Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander.
The new generation Sportage is an angular, aggressive-looking beauty.
We seem to be living in an age where all of our cars are wearing extravagant masks, and the Sportage is the most intriguing of them all with its swept-back LED daytime running lights and large, low-mesh grille.
It seems almost out of this world. As is the tailgate with superbly detailed taillights and a spoiler on the trunk lip.
The Sportage intrigues with its swept-back LED daytime running lights and large, low-mesh grille.
Inside, the angular look continues throughout the cabin and is evident in the door handle and air vent design.
The Sportage's cabin is stylish, modern, and looks well thought out even in the entry-level S class. But it's in the GT-Line that huge curved screens and leather upholstery come into play.
Yes, the younger versions are not as trendy as the GT-Line. They don't all have textured surfaces, and the S and SX have a lot of blank panels where the higher grades grow real buttons.
It's a pity that Kia seems to have focused all its energy on top car interior design.
With a length of 4660 mm, the new Sportage is 175 mm longer than the previous model.
However, I can't believe it's a Kia. Well, I really can. I have witnessed how the standards in design, engineering and technology have been raised higher and higher over the last 10 years to the point where the quality seems almost indistinguishable from Audi and much more creative in design.
At 4660mm long, the new Sportage is 175mm longer than the outgoing model, but its width is about the same at 1865mm wide and 1665mm high (1680mm with larger roof rails).
The old Sportage was smaller than the latest Toyota RAV4. The new one is bigger.
The Kia Sportage is available in eight colors: Pure White, Steel Grey, Gravity Grey, Vesta Blue, Dawn Red, Alloy Black, White Pearl and Jungle Forest Green.
How practical is the interior space? 9/10
The more Sportage, the more space inside. A lot more. The trunk is 16.5% larger than the previous model, and is 543 liters. That's a liter more than the RAV4's payload capacity.
The more Sportage, the more space inside.
The space in the second row has also increased by eight percent. For someone like me with a height of 191 cm, this is the difference between tightness in the back and a comfortable fit with ample knee room behind the driver's seat.
Stowage space in the cabin is excellent with large front door pockets, four cupholders (two front and two rear) and a deep storage box in the center console.
The space in the second row has also increased by eight percent.
There are two USB ports in the dash (type A and type C), plus two more in the second row for higher grades. A wireless phone charger is included with the GT-Line.
All trims have directional vents for the second row and privacy glass for those rear windows on SX+ and up.
The manual-transmission Sportage has less center console storage space than its automatic siblings, which have ample adaptable area around the shifter for loose items.
The trunk is 16.5% larger than the previous model, and is 543 liters.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
There are three engines in the Sportage lineup. 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 115 kW/192 Nm, which was also in the previous model.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with 137kW/416Nm, again, was the same in the old Sportage.
But a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (replacing the previous 2.4-litre petrol) with 132kW/265Nm has been added.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine can be fitted with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the diesel engine comes with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.6-litre engine comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).
A new 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 132kW/265Nm has been added.
If you plan to tow a diesel, the 1900kg towing capacity with brakes will suit you. Gasoline engines with automatic transmission and DCT have a brake pulling power of 1650 kg.
The 2.0-liter petrol Sportage is front-wheel drive, while the diesel or 1.6-liter is all-wheel drive.
What's missing is the hybrid version of the Sportage, which is sold overseas. As I said in the fuel section below, if Kia doesn't bring it to Australia, I think it will be a deal breaker for those choosing between the RAV4 Hybrid and the petrol-only Kia Sportage.
What is it like to drive? 9/10
I just spent time in the Sportage rivals Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander. What I can tell you is that the Sportage handles better than all of them.
Not only is the Kia's dual-clutch automatic transmission smoother than the Tucson's, and acceleration with either engine in the Sportage feels better than what the RAV4 has to offer, but the ride and handling are on another level.
I find the Tucson too smooth, the RAV a bit woody, and the Outlander lacking composure and stiffness on most roads.
For the Sportage, an Australian engineering team developed a suspension system for our roads.
On a wide range of roads, I tested the Sportage, it was not only comfortable, but also more manageable.
Pretty simple answer to this. The Sportage is the only one of these SUVs to have a suspension system designed for our roads by an Australian team of engineers.
This was done by driving them and trying out different combinations of dampers and springs until the "tune" was right.
This approach distinguishes Kia not only from most car manufacturers, but even from sister company Hyundai, which has abandoned local suspension tuning, and ride quality has suffered as a result.
To be honest, the steering is not what I expected from Kia. It's a bit too light and feels lacking, but it's the only area where the local engineering team hasn't been able to make much of a difference due to COVID-19 restrictions.
For something that looks like a cheese grater from the outside, visibility from the inside is excellent. And from inside you can hardly hear the noise of the wind.
GT-Line with a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol engine.
I rode the diesel Sportage, which felt like the most powerful (well, it has the most torque and power). I've also piloted a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a manual transmission and it's been fun on back roads, although it's hard work in city traffic.
But the best was the GT-Line, with a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol engine that not only accelerates sharply and quickly for its class, but also provides smoother shifting with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, more so than the DCT in the Tucson.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
This would be one of the very few weak points of the Sportage.
Kia says that after a combination of open and city roads, the 2.0-liter gasoline engine with manual transmission should consume 7.7 l/100 km and the car 8.1 l/100 km.
The 1.6-liter turbo-petrol engine consumes 7.2 l/100 km, while the 2.0-liter turbodiesel consumes only 6.3 l/100 km.
Kia is selling a hybrid version of the Sportage overseas and will need to ship it to Australia. As I said, this area of fuel and energy systems will soon become a hurdle for many Australians.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
7 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
The Sportage has not yet received an ANCAP Safety Rating and we will let you know when it is announced.
All classes have AEB that can detect cyclists and pedestrians even at interchanges, there's lane departure warning and lane keep assist, rear cross traffic warning with braking, and blind spot warning.
All Sportages are equipped with a driver and front passenger airbag, driver and passenger side airbags, dual curtain airbags and a new front center airbag for the model.
For child seats, there are three Top Tether anchorages and two ISOFIX points in the second row.
All Sportages also come with a full-size spare tire under the boot floor. No stupid space savings here. Do you know how rare this is these days? It's outstanding.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
The Sportage is backed by a seven-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Service is recommended at 12 month/15,000 2.0 km intervals and cost is limited. For the 3479 liter petrol engine, the total cost over seven years is $497 ($1.6 per year), for the 3988 liter petrol it is $570 ($3624 per year), and for the diesel it is $518 ($XNUMX per year).
So while the warranty is longer than most car brands, the Sportage's service prices tend to be more expensive than the competition.
Verdict
The old Sportage was popular, but it was too small and lacked the refinement and interior technology found in the latest RAV4s and Tucsons. This new generation surpasses these vehicles in every way, from design, craftsmanship and technology to ride and handling.
The only area where the Sportage is missing is the lack of a hybrid variant that can be bought overseas but not here.
The best place in the lineup is the SX+ with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. This is the best value for money with the best engine.
