Short test: KIA Sportage 1.6 GDI Motion

Sportage is an SUV.

Overall, the Sportage is a very good SUV indeed. Technically very similar to a similar Hyundai, which means that it has a very good technique, starting from the drive. Okay, maybe we blame the chassis for being awkward due to the impact pits, although we expected the exact opposite due to the shape of the hull, but this is far from critical.

Ergonomics, equipment

It's almost great (with a few exceptions). ergonomics. Most buttons and switches work completely intuitively, without having to look at them carefully, much less learn about them from the instructions booklet. The Sportage's equipment is excellent too. Especially in this case; Aside from the non-automatic movement of most of the windows and the unfriendly on-board computer, we cannot blame her for anything. And, perhaps, the most important thing: he knows how to convince many with his appearance.

Front wheel drive only

However, it is in the photos of Sportage 1,6 liter petrol engine and front wheel drive only. The engine itself may be technically and practically good, but it cannot show it, let alone prove it. In fact, the only but big complaint is its torque, which is not enough - it only makes a good impression above 4.000 rpm, when it can be said that it pulls mass well and pushes the body through the air.

And then it becomes (pre) glass, is also more voracious, and in the last gears an undesirably large front surface is placed in its protection, which again negatively affects the performance of the car. In addition, at these speeds the Sportage is too fast for our limits, and even a gust of wind above 140 kilometers per hour is already a little annoying. In the end, all this is also noticeable by the fact that with the cruise control set to 160 kilometers per hour, he cannot climb the slope of the motorway, for example, in Vrhnika - the speed quickly drops to a good 140. .

Consumption

A tape measure of the current consumption of the on-board computer showed the following: at 100 kilometers per hour five, at 130 eight and 160 at 12 liters of gasoline per 100 km in sixth gear. The influence of aerodynamics is clearly visible here. In addition, the fuel consumption we measured under the conditions that we subjected all test cars to was not particularly impressive: forcing the engine to higher revs for a slightly increased rate of movement, even within certain limits, takes its toll.

Even a slightly faster start (eg when turning left ...) is only possible at higher revs (around 2.000), so from this point of view it is really good that the drive is only two-wheel drive. However, which also applies to the motor, the operation of temporarily stopping the motor is flawless and completely stress-free, and also excellent. Transmission, the only drawback of which - for some drivers - supposedly - too little lever resistance when shifting gears.

For day-to-day use, four-wheel drive is a perfectly acceptable thing, but if we leave out the disadvantages associated with low torque, you will lose traction in deteriorating conditions (snow ...), and active safety is thus a little worse than it could be otherwise.

And with a car like the Sportage, this four-wheeled drive a car that makes a lot of sense altogether. Therefore, the entire drive combination does not work particularly well at a high center of gravity, even in slightly faster corners when the inner front wheel is (too) fast to neutral ...

In particular, such a Sportage is noticeably less attractive than is usually the case with this Kio. It is partly true that the same is true for most similar cars, but it is also true that, fortunately, not all drivers have the same requirements and wishes. We believe that such a motorized and controlled Sportage will serve very well for many.

Text: Vinko Kernc, photo: Saša Kapetanovič

Kia Sportage 1.6 GDI Motion

Basic data

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - displacement 1.591 cm3 - maximum power 99 kW (135 hp) at 6.300 rpm - maximum torque 164 Nm at 4.850 rpm.
Energy transfer:	front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 225/60 R 17 V (Wanli Snowgrip M + S).
Capacity:	178 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 11,5 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,2/6,0/6,8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 158 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.380 kg - permissible gross weight 1.830 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.440 mm – width 1.855 mm – height 1.645 mm – wheelbase 2.640 mm – trunk 564–1.353 58 l – fuel tank XNUMX l.

Our measurements

T = 3 ° C / p = 992 mbar / rel. vl. = 63% / odometer status: 7.035 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	11,2s
402m from the city:	17,6 years ( 129 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	12,1 / 16,4s (IV/V)
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	17,9 / 20,3s (Sun./Fri.)
Maximum speed:	178km / h (WE.)
test consumption:	10,2 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	41,9m
AM table:	40m

evaluation

• For whom? For those who just love a car and do not need a torque car or an all-wheel drive engine, or easily give up on it to save some money. It can be a good family car too.

We praise and reproach

appearance, equipment

manufacturing, ergonomics

Transmission

spaciousness (especially the back bench)

torque, consumption

on-board computer

loud rear wiper

limited visibility (low glass)