Kia Sportage 2012 review

We have our doubts that the Sportage is the “gangsta” vehicle, Kia makes out in the “grow up, not old” ad.

You know the one... househusband rappin’ in da Sportage with da homies -- Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio from the Furious Five -- only to be brought back to reality by his wife reminding him to pick up nappies.

So it might not be the coolmobile he dreams of but it definitely ticks all the boxes for those looking for a compact SUV at an affordable price.

Value

The base model starts at $26,720 and jumps up by $10k to $36,720 for the petrol Platinum tested here or $39,720 for the Platinum turbo diesel.

The Platinum’s luxury features include a six function trip computer, six CD changer,  seven speaker audio system with ipod connectivity, external amp and sub-woofer, ventilated eight way adjustable driver’s seat, front seat warmers, leather trim seats, leather steering wheel and shift knob, a cooling glovebox, rain sensors, sunvisor extensions and a powered sunroof.

Technology

The Platinum gets a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 130kW of power and 227Nm of torque mated to a six speed sports automatic transmission. And the combined fuel economy is 9.2-litre per 100Km with 221g/km CO2 emissions.

The base model only drives through the front two wheels but AWD is standard with the Platinum. There’s also hill start assist that holds the 1588kg weight well.

Design

Our test Sportage received plenty of attention - with one person even mistaking it for the BMW X1, perhaps because both come in an eye catching orange despite the vehicles being poles apart.

The exterior of the Platinum gets 18-in alloy wheels, a LED daytime running light, rear spoiler, chrome coloured outer door handles and of course the head designer Peter Shreyer’s signature tiger grille flanked by two slanting headlights.

The interior is top notch when it comes to styling with an attractive dashboard, large leather trimmed seats and a powered sunroof that adds to the luxury feel. Kia has really gone the extra mile to make the cabin as comfortable as possible, with plenty of legroom for both the driver and passengers, adjustable headrests and an easy to use eight-way adjustable driver’s seat.

The push start button works when the smart key is anywhere inside the cabin and there’s also conveniently placed steering wheel controls, an MP3 compatible stereo and 12V auxiliary sockets below the trip computer. The Platinum has lots of storage compartments and cubbies for your bits and pieces and there’s even a sunglasses holder with soft cushioning above the rear vision mirror. 

The only slightly annoying feature was the steering wheel adjustment which is stiff and requires a bit of muscle to move. But that’s a small niggle among a well-fitted interior and it’s really hard to find a major criticism - it has everything a family car should have and then some.

Safety

The safety kit includes six airbags, an anti-lock brake system, electronic stability control, three point seatbelts in all positions and child-proof rear door locks. And the panoramic sunroof comes with a safety system to prevent any accidents with fingers. 

Driving

The Sportage is not for enthusiastic drivers; instead it’s for those who prioritise space and comfort and need a runabout SUV with style. It’s perfect for car pools, picking up the kids from school and heading off on holiday with a car full of bags and boogie boards. 

Kia technology has come a long way in the past few years and this is shown through the Sportage’s easy drive and good road handling. The 2.4-litre engine is well matched to the Sportage and once the car gets going barely any road noise enters the cabin. The six speed auto changes gears seamlessly; it’s smooth on hills and handles bumpy roads well.

The Sportage has high vision which makes you feel in control and the vehicle feels solid and well built. Overall visibility is helped by the big rear vision mirror, wide side mirrors and rear view camera with clear parking guidelines. So the only problem you’ll have with parking of any kind is the size of the space, as this SUV measures in at 1855mm by 4440mm. But this is standard for any compact SUV.

Verdict

Kia is making an effort to become a real contender in the SUV market. And at this price and with these features it’ll be a stretch to do better than the Sportage.