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First impression: New Kia Sportage First Edition
publication date: Aug 7, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
Boosted by exceptional sales through the UK
Government’s scrappage scheme before it was wound up this spring, Kia is
launching its new cutting edge Sportage crossover with ambitions to
steeply drive up sales in 2011.
Revealed at the Geneva motor
show to wide acclaim thanks to its sleek styling and technical
features, the new generation Kia Sportage arrives ahead of schedule.
|  | Kia
is teasing buyers and the market by initially introducing a Sportage
2.0CRDi First Edition AWD with six-speed manual or automatic in medium
to high level specification from £20,777 before rolling in a full range
in the late autumn.
With styling directed by the Audi TT’s creator
Peter Schreyer, the Kia Sportage is dramatically different to the
previous generation and has elements of the Soul hatchback in its
appearance. It has a high waistline, shallow windows and sweeping
roofline with a wide stance.
Under this new body are new powertrains,
ride and handling developed in the UK for British roads and it carries a
seven year or 100,000 miles warranty. Towing capacity is slightly more
than before at 2,000 kgs.
The five-door, five-seat Kia Sportage is
pitched against the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008, Ford Kuga and VW
Tiguan but it is longer, wider and lower than the previous Sportage and
actually weighs less thanks to careful design and engineering. The wider
track improves stability while its lower ride height and sleeker shape
betters fuel economy over the previous version as well.
Kia UK
marketing director Simon Hetherington said they expected to sell 850
Sportage First Edition models over the next few months and once the full
range is brought in from November to see this climb to 10,000 annually
as part of the company’s growth plans for the next two years.
By
early next year there will be 1.6 and 2.0 petrol engines, 1.7 and 2.0
diesels but the smaller engines will be available only with two wheel
drive and manual transmission while the 2.0 litre units will have choice
of automatic and intelligent four-wheel-drive with selectable lock-up
for maximum grip.
The initial Sportage First Edition models have the
134bhp 2.0 four cylinder engine which is more powerful, cleaner and
economical than the previous 2.0 litre and thanks to the new design
gives a higher power to weight ratio. | The 2.0 Manual shares a 112mph top
speed with the automatic but at 10.9secs to 62mph it is about 7/10s of a
second quicker and average consumption is 47.1mpg compared with 40.4mpg
in the automatic and CO2 is 156gkm or 183gkm in the automatic.
Front
struts and multi-link rear axle give good ride and handling with
sophisticated disc brakes have anti-lock, brake force distribution and
traction control with rack and pinion steering and 18inch 7J alloys. |  | | FIRST IMPRESSIONS | | Sitting
behind a first generation Sportage and passing the current version made
me realise how big is the new model and it will come as a surprise to
existing owners, but it should not disappoint them.
There is much
more room in the cabin and in the low level luggage space behind while
the additional towing ability will be welcome as well.
The First
Edition’s leather seats are big and very comfortable with good shape and
support but you may find headroom tight in the back if you’re tall.
The
high waistline and shallow windows combined with the long bonnet and
high tail to obscure objects immediately around so you need the parking
sensor and reversing camera to minimise accident possibilities.
The
high riding position gives a commanding view of the road ahead and the
gutsy 2.0 litre engine packs a good punch for accelerating from rest or
through the gears and it also allowed the Sportage First Edition to
cruise without complaint at the legal limit on a short motorway section.
Gear
ratios in the manual tested, there was no automatic for comparison,
were good, with an easy and progressive clutch and direct feel. The same
precision was true of the steering and it had a good turning circle and
was insulated from road shocks.
Brakes were capable of hauling down speed without drama or much effort from the driver.
Secondary
controls were grouped close to the wheel, the transmission selection
switches were low on the fascia, and the console carried the usual
heating and ventilation switchgear.
I would have preferred more
oddments space in the cabin which has a lot of plastic and some deep
sections where recesses might have been placed to hold items.
Ride quality was generally good, slightly firm, but it handled well and responded beautifully to throttle, brake and steering. |  |
" Dynamically
and aesthetically the new Sportage is a tremendous advance over the
former series and its equipment and pricing, not to forget the warranty,
will ensure it makes many conquest sales over the next 12 months or so.
"
©Robin Roberts |
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