Kia Sportage (2010 – 2016) Review

March 2010

Kia revealed details of new Sportage

Designed as an urban-friendly compact SUV for families - consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2. It's longer, wider and lower than the previous model - by 90mm, 15mm and 60mm respectively but still has a commanding driving position plus a heightened sense of security and powerful road presence.

The longer bodyshell and longer wheelbase, plus the extra interior width ensure that occupants of the new Sportage will enjoy its spacious cabin. Entry and exit from the cabin is made easier by lowering the seats by 29mm and the top of the door sills by 31mm.

Driver comfort is enhanced by the adoption of a floor-hinged accelerator pedal that allows smooth control of the throttle and by the increased range of fore and aft sliding movement available for the driver's seat - 24mm more than the previous model. As an option, heated front and rear seats can be specified.

The interior comes trimmed in black cloth as standard - and unusually, an all-black headliner can be specified. Options include part-leather and full-leather seat trim, with a choice of contrasting stitching. LX models feature a Dark Gunmetal dashboard and centre stack, while colour options include Medium Grey, Light Alpine and Orange door inserts, plus Alpine Metallic centre stack trim.

A total of 10 exterior colours available will be: solid colours - Cassa White and Clyde Blue and metallic colours - Dark Gunmetal, Techno Orange, Sand Track, Black Pearl, Pheonix Silver, Sirius Silver, Machine Silver, and Byte Blue.

Luggage space in new Sportage benefits from the 70mm increase in the vehicle's rear overhang. With the rear seats upright, the cargo bay is 80mm longer and 110mm wider at floor level, thanks to the more compact design of the rear suspension. Cargo capacity is among the best in class and ranges from 564 litres with the rear seats occupied to 1353 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Storage space within the cabin includes the larger glovebox - cooled in some models, a larger 6.0-litre centre console - up from 3.0-litres, and four door pockets. Two large cup-holders are located between the gear selector and the centre console, while the folding centre armrest in the rear seat has twin cup-holders.

The Sportage is significantly quieter and more refined than its predecessor. The all-new bodyshell design and greater use of high tensile steel have resulted in a stiffer and safer vehicle in which occupants will be aware of fewer vibrations from the road surface or mechanical components.

At launch, the engine line-up comprised 2.0-litre chain cam R-Type diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engines - with a 1.7-litre chain cam diesel and a 1.6-litre chain cam GDI petrol units following later, reducing the new model's base-line CO2 emissions to less than 140g/km. The 2.0-litre diesel, which is expected to prove the most popular engine choice, generates a maximum of 136bhp and 304Nm of torque from just 1800 rpm. As well as guaranteeing strong performance, the new diesel enables the Kia's compact SUV to deliver highly-competitive fuel economy and emissions figures.

The 1.7-litre diesel offers 115PS, meets Euro 5 emissions regulations and is cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient than previous Kia diesel engines. It has been developed for optimum driveability, with more than 90 per cent of the maximum torque available from just 2,000 rpm.

Now fitted with upgraded electronics and low-friction components, Kia's revised 2.0-litre petrol engine delivers more power, improved durability, enhanced refinement and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

This four-cylinder unit has dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) for both the intake and exhaust valves, four valves per cylinder and features weight-saving, all-aluminium construction with a cast aluminium block, cylinder head and sump. Fitted in new Sportage, maximum power is 163bhp, with 194Nm of peak torque at a modest 4600 rpm.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine fitted with GDI (petrol direct injection) technology produces a highly competitive 140bhp. The arrival of this engine marked the first appearance of GDI technology in a Kia vehicle. GDI lowers emissions while raising power and torque outputs and improving fuel economy. The typical range of benefits include delivering 7 per cent more torque and 10 per cent better fuel economy overall - compared to a conventional engine of a similar capacity.

July 2010

Sportage First Edition introduced

A unique version that comes complete with all-wheel drive, a choice of manual or automatic transmissions and an efficient common-rail turbodiesel engine. The 2.0-litre CRDi engine emits just 156g/km CO2 and achieves a combined cycle economy of 47.1 mpg - an impressive 31g/km less and 7.3mpg more respectively than the outgoing model.

Available in a choice of five colours - including the striking Techno Orange - the First Edition comes as standard with a comprehensive high-end specification including a full leather interior, dual zone climate control, automatic rain-sensing wipers, LED daytime running lights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

August 2010

Kia New Vehicle Warranty Terms & Exclusions:

There is no mileage limit during the first 3 years, except for vehicles used as taxis where a limit of 100,000 miles applies.

There is a 100,000 mile limit between years 4 and 7.

Paintwork is covered for 5 years / 100,000 miles.

Audio is covered for 3 years / 60,000 miles.

Batteries are covered for 2 years.

Normal 'wear and tear' on items such as brake linings and clutch linings, etc. are excluded from cover.

The warranty is transferable, at no cost, to subsequent owners and is valid across Europe.

August 2010

Prices of 2.0 CRDI First Edition:

• 6-speed Manual: £20,777
• 6-speed Automatic: £22,007
• Metallic or Mica Paint: £435

September 2010

Factory production secured for 300 petrol engined versions of new Sportage First Edition.

The Sportage First Edition 2.0i AWD is powered by Kia's Theta-II 2.0 petrol engine and comes with a 5-speed manual transmission delivering 161bhp @ 5,200rpm and 194Nm torque at 4,600rpm. The vehicle has a top speed of 113mph, accelerates from rest to 60mph in 10.3 seconds and achieves a combined cycle fuel consumption of 35.8 mpg. CO2 emissions are 188g/km.

This new version of the Sportage comes with the exactly the same high level of specification as its diesel counterpart, which includes: Black leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, 18" alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and a colour rear parking camera system integrated into the rear view mirror. Four exterior colours are available on this version: Clyde Blue, Phantom Black metallic, Silver Storm metallic and the striking Techno Orange metallic.

New Sportage First Edition 2.0 AWD is priced at £19,495 'On-The-Road' and, as with every new Kia, comes with a fully-transferable seven year warranty. Customer ordering is open 9-9-2010, deliveries from October 2010. More 2WD and AWD versions featuring four engines including a 1.6GDI and a 1.7 Turbo-Diesel available from November 2010.

October 2010

Presented at the Paris Motor Show, September 2010, Kia Sportage Mild Hybrid. Based on the all-new Sportage compact SUV now on sale across Europe and powered by the new, larger 1.7-litre version of the U2 diesel.

This engine, which produces 115 ps and 260 Nm of torque from a very low 1,250 rpm, is mated to a 5 kW electric motor with a double layer capacitor. Small changes cut aerodynamic drag, brake drag and tyre resistance so the SUV's CO2 rating is a modest 117 g/km.

December 2010

By the end of 2010, Kia offered its fuel-stretching ISG (Intelligent Stop and Go) system as an option on both the 1.7 diesel and 1.6 GDI engine. ISG automatically switches the engine off whenever the vehicle is stopped in congested city driving and instantly restarts the engine when the driver selects first gear. Combined with other technologies in new Sportage, ISG helps to reduce fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions.

Several innovative fuel-saving technologies are fitted to the new Sportage as standard, including a gear-shift up/down indicator on all manual models, an ECO indicator to encourage economical driving on all automatic models and a power-saving alternator management system.

November 2011

Full 16 model range on sale in the UK with emissions from 135g/km CO2. The line-up includes four engines, including brand-new highly efficient 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol and 1.7-litre turbodiesel units. These engines come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, while with the 2.0-litre engines buyers are offered the choice of five-speed manual or six-speed automatic on the petrol and six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions on the diesel.

All 1.6 and 1.7-litre versions of new Sportage feature Kia's Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG) technology and sit under Kia's ‘EcoDynamics' banner, while the new Dymax intelligent all-wheel-drive system is standard on every 2.0-litre model.

The 16-model range is based on Kia's familiar 1, 2 and 3 trim designations, with all-wheel-drive versions given the KX preface. There is also a special range topping ‘Sat-Nav' grade of new Sportage 3 and KX-3, featuring a fully integrated 7-inch touch screen satellite navigation with built in reversing camera and upgraded audio sound system.

All versions are extremely well specified, as buyers have come to expect from Kia, and are covered by Kia's pioneering seven-year warranty that can be transferred to subsequent owners as long as the 100,000-mile limit has not been reached. Yet even with such a high level of standard equipment and warranty, prices start from £16,645. The First Edition model, which allowed Kia to put new Sportage on sale earlier than had been originally anticipated, is discontinued with the arrival of the complete line-up. 16" wheels come with 215/70 R16 tyres.

July 2012

KX-4 model launched

The Sportage KX-4 uses an 181bhp version of Kia’s 2.0-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine mated to a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions and an intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

The Sportage KX-4 wants for nothing in terms of equipment and builds on the specification of the ‘KX-3 Sat Nav’ by adding a Parallel Parking Assist System – complete with all-round parking sensors – a keyless smart entry system and engine stop/start button and stainless steel door scuff plates.

Standard equipment also includes a full leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system with EU mapping, Xenon lights, automatic lights and wipers, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, cruise control, iPod connectivity, colour reversing camera and a seven-speaker stereo complete with external amplifier and subwoofer.

Unique to the Sportage KX-4, the new higher output 2.0-litre CRDi ‘R’ powerplant develops 181bhp at 4,000rpm and 383Nm (282lb/ft) of torque from just 1,800rpm to 2,500rpm in manual guise. The automatic develops 392Nm. A revised variable geometry turbocharger, higher pressure piezo injectors and software mapping are responsible for the 47bhp increase over the 134bhp version that the new version sits alongside.

The ‘KX-4’ completes the 0-60mph dash in 9.4 seconds and, when fitted with the six-speed manual transmission, top speed is 120mph, CO2 emissions are 158g/km and 46.3mpg is achieved on the official combined cycle. The six-speed automatic has a top speed of 121mph while the CO2 emissions are 189g/km and the official combined cycle figure is 39.2mpg. Both ‘KX-4’ versions fall into insurance category 19.

Unlike the other trim versions – ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘3 Sat Nav’ – which are also on offer with two wheel drive, ‘KX-4’ is only available in All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The intelligent electronically-controlled single high ratio system continuously monitors driving conditions and anticipates when AWD will be needed ensuring Sportage is always in the correct drive mode for the prevailing circumstances.

The AWD system normally delivers 100 per cent of engine torque to the front wheels. But the torque can be redistributed up to a maximum of 60:40 front-to-rear to enhance cornering stability or if road conditions deteriorate. For off-road driving, owners can manually select lock mode, which gives a 50:50 torque split at speeds of up to 25mph.

The Sportage ‘KX-4’ 2.0 CRDi 181bhp manual is priced at £27,195 OTR and the automatic at £28,500 OTR – both versions went sale 02-07-2012 and, as with every new Kia, come with a fully transferable, seven year warranty as standard.

January 2014

Sportage refreshed for 2014

There are enhanced versions of Kia's ‘tiger-nosed' grille across the range with upgrades from painted to chrome surrounds as well as new styling to the central radiator mesh design.

The rear combination lights have evolved from the previous model, offering enhanced illumination and, therefore, better visibility to other road users. The whole unit, including the section mounted on the boot lid, is now lit through the tail-light functionality. LED lighting to further enhance night-time presence and premium appearance has been added to top end models. High end grades are now also fitted with a shark-fin antenna mounted on the rear of the roof - another small but important addition that accentuates the exterior of the car.

To finish off the exterior changes new-style 16-inch, 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels have been fitted to all grades. The Sportage still comes as standard with a full-size spare wheel.

Inside, a new soft ‘nano' paint finish has been added to the dashboard and centre console and there is now centre console illumination and soft-touch upper door trims. All are further indications of the importance Kia places on quality. The door-mounted audio tweeters have been repositioned to enhance sound quality.

A heated steering wheel and a 6-way power adjustable driver's seat have been added to top spec models. New folding keys and, on models with an engine start/stop button, a smart key are further quality improvements to the range.

New-style instrumentation includes 4.2-inch TFT LCD supervision cluster mounted between the recessed dials of the newly designed dual-bezel instrument display on selected grades. The supervision cluster incorporates trip information, outdoor temperature, information about the chosen Flex Steer modes, a gear shift indicator on manual versions and the Parallel Park Assist functionality on models where it is fitted.

This incorporates touch-screen audio system controls and an integrated rear-view camera screen helping owners when reversing or parking. Sat nav versions have a 7-inch colour touch-screen with mapping for 44 European countries, full UK postcode recognition, traffic messaging with a detour function, motorway junction views, lane guidance, speed limit warnings and multi-route planning fitted as standard.

An Infinity premium audio system, available on Sportage for the first time and previously seen on Optima models, is fitted to higher grades. With seven speakers, including a sub-woofer mounted in the right-hand rear of the cabin it has been tuned to provide outstanding sound quality under all conditions.

The Sportage now features improved windscreen glass to help minimise levels of ambient noise entering its already quiet cabin. Kia's Flex Steer system, another addition for the 2014 model year is fitted to selected models. This allows the driver to choose between three different levels of power assistance according to preference and where the car is being driven. Comfort mode provides increased help for parking or manoeuvring in tight areas, for example, while Sport lessens the assistance for increased feel and stability at higher speeds. There is also a Normal setting.

All versions now have Trailer Stability Assist to help make towing safer. It works through the Electronic Stability Control system, and continuously monitors vehicle stability, gently applying some front braking force if it detects a potential loss of control. If this is insufficient, gentle all-wheel braking is introduced along with a reduction in engine power until the vehicle and trailer are stabilised.

A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is now standard to alert the driver to any significant under-inflation via an illuminated icon in the instrument cluster. Two new engine choices at the top and bottom have been added to the 16 car line up to further broaden the appeal to customers - an all-wheel drive 2.0 CRDi entry level and the 1.7 CRDi turbodiesel is an option on the top spec two-wheel drive model.

The 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol unit and 1.7-litre turbodiesel made their debuts in the Sportage and are the mainstays of the range in the UK. They come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, while with the 2.0-litre engines buyers are offered the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

The Dymax intelligent all-wheel-drive system is standard on every 2.0 CRDI model, which now comes in two outputs: 134PS and 181PS.

*without ISG