What is it?
This is the latest mid-range version of the popular Kia Sportage crossover.
Having been facelifted in 2018, with various mild-hybrid diesel engines being brought in at that point and since, the Sportage has just had a pricing and equipment realignment. This is the new mid-range option and the likely big-seller.
The Sportage range still contains four trim levels, but now only three rather than four engines, with the top-of-the-range, four-wheel-drive-and-automatic-only 2.0-litre CRDi diesel having been deleted altogether.
The trim range now comprises the entry-level 2, this 3, the GT-Line and the GT-Line S, with the GT-identified models getting sports suspension and sportier styling inside and out.
For engines, there are now both normally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-litre petrols to choose from, plus this U3-generation 1.6-litre diesel, which inherits the 48V starter-generator mild-hybrid system that the now-discontinued 2.0-litre diesel had.
Part-time four-wheel drive is available in conjunction with the more powerful petrol and the diesel.
Sadly, the diesel delivers only average claimed economy and emissions versus its rivals, most of which are newer, fresher cars. But the Kia’s equipment levels might well make up for that lack of distinction, with a wide range of active safety systems being fitted to all versions of the car, and the 3 grade adding leather-upholstered electric seats, 19in alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof and LED headlights. It also costs about £500 less than the 4 version it replaces.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Kia vs. VW!
Why would he like Kia as much as VW? This Kia is inferior to a comparable Tiguan in virtually every single category save price...besides I think he has been too generous by rating it 3.5 stars, which is at least half a star too much for such a mediocre product
volvocu wrote:
Exactly. Its way off the mark - any car person can see that. But people like catnip cannot afford the VW, only the Kia. So they like to moan.
Look, another Kia hater
I guess the likes of volvocu can't be feeling too good about Kia coming up with a World Car of the Year winner in the form of the Telluride. So contempt it is to placate his rage, much like that which oozes from every piece Mr Saunders writes on every Kia/Hyundai product.
Funny don't you think to see how the Americans and Aussies consider VW's to be way inferior to Kias and Hyundais (squarely reflected in their sales discrepancy) while you have blighters here who still cling on to the old stereotypes - must be the diet no doubt
Matt Saunders clearly doesn't
Matt Saunders clearly doesn't like Kia's as much as he likes VW's