Kia Sportage Si 2014 review

The Sportage continues to star in the Kia cast on the Australian automotive stage with an enhanced range keeping this compact sport utility vehicle in the market spotlight.

The South Korean manufacturer recently introduced upgrades across the European-sourced range, including engine and gearbox improvements, and a value-for-money new Si Premium model.

Available in two-wheel and all-wheel drive versions, the Si Premium stands at the head of the 2WD range sporting a standard six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, roof rails, reversing camera, leather and cloth trim seats, exterior mirror mounted indicators, LED daytime running lights and driver lumbar support.

Explore the 2014 Kia Sportage range

• Kia Sportage 2014 review
• Kia Sportage Si 2014 review

On the market at $29,990, plus on-road costs, the Kia Sportage Si Premium 2.0 GDi 2WD automatic was given a workout in a range of on-road situations in south-east Queensland.

Design

The designer’s pen has been at work on reshaping the already up-to-date looks of the existing Sportage. Among the changes are a new front grille, new LED rear lamp clusters, a revised range of alloy wheels with a choice of 16, 17 or 18-inch diameter, and a shark-fin roof antenna. 

The passenger cabin has been enhanced with greater use of soft-touch materials across the dashboard and the upper door panels, a new instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD display screen and powered driver’s seat.

Travellers can stay connected over standard Bluetooth with phone and media streaming and a trip computer.

Further convenience is offered by keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control.

Engine / Transmission

Across the petrol range the new Sportage benefits from an upgrade to the smooth and efficient 2.0-litre direct-injection powerplant, the Si Premium making use of a six-speed automatic transmission driving through the front wheels.

Safety

Safety is front and centre across the range, with six airbags, stability control with traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist on hand to keep things on an even keel.

Hill-start assist and downhill brake control are also standard, along with disc brakes all round and active front head restraints. Projector headlamps have a cornering function.

Driving

Much attention has been paid to reduction in noise, vibration and harshness with a new soundproof windscreen, incorporating a film between the glass laminations, while improvements to the front subframe, drivetrain and transmission mountings minimise vibration.

It was a dark and stormy night, the Sportage was punting along a winding Gold Coast Hinterland road when a big black dog loomed in the headlights. Responsive steering and efficient anti-skid braking had the vehicle rounding the bewildered hound with room to spare.

The reverse could have been the result if the car had been going, well, in reverse. The reversing camera lacked any sort of useful definition behind the SUV in the dark on the tiny mirror-mounted screen.

When taking off on a wet slope there was a spot of wheelspin between the hill-start assist letting go and traction control cutting in – minor bleats in generally competent behaviour.