Kia Sportage 2014 review

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?

What is it?

Kia's top of the line small four wheel drive (sorry make that medium size). We can never work out why this car and Hyundai's ix35 don't compete in the same segment. They are after all the same car underneath - the iX35 is just 3cm shorter?

How much?

Prices for Sportage start from $25,990 for the entry level, two-wheel drive petrol Si. Platinum is $38,390 which also gets you all-wheel drive, while the Platinum with a diesel engine is $41,390 - or $3000 more.

What are competitors?

Name your poison. Toyota RAV4, Holden Captiva 5, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Subaru Forester - to name a few. It's one of the most competitive segments of the market. None however are as stylish as the Sportage, even though it's been around for a while now.

What's under the bonnet?

A 2.0-litre direct injection four replaces the previous 2.4-litre multi-point unit. It produces 122kW of power and 205Nm of torque, compared with 130kW/227Nm previously. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.  

How does it go?

Good but not outstanding. It's probably a little heavier than before and misses the extra torque of the previous engine, but on the up side it is smoother and more economical. We also found that the transmission hunts a little, unable to settle and stay in one gear.

Is it economical?

Fuel consumption has been reduced from 9.2 to 8.6 litres/100km with the new engine. We were getting 12.6 after a shortish 130km drive. We'd expect it to do much better than this over a longer distance (Kia's figures are always fairly close to the mark).

Is it green?

Gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide, with emissions of 206g/km of CO2 (the benchmark Toyota Prius gets 5).

Is it safe?

Yes. Gets a full five stars for safety from the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). It comes with six airbags, traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Hill-start assist and downhill brake control are also standard along with active front head restraints.

Is it comfortable?

Yes. The seats and seating position are comfortable, with good forward vision. The controls and instruments are all large and easy to use.

What's it like to drive?

Entry and exit is easy. Headroom is compromised by the sunroof. Phone pairs easily and can stream music to the premium audio system that comes with a subwoofer. Over the shoulder vision remains terrible, but that's the price you pay for style.  The lights, wipers and rear view mirror all operate automatically.

There's a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors too. Kia has made a number of changes to reduce noise, vibration and harshness including the introduction of a soundproof windscreen, with an interlayer film between the glass laminations, reduces wind noise.

Is it value for money?

There's a new front grille, new LED rear light clusters, a new range of alloy wheels and a shark-fin roof antenna.  Greater use of soft-touch materials is made inside and there's a new Supervision instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD display screen and power driver's seat.

Top of the range the Platinum scores 18-inch wheels, smart key and push button start, driver's power seat, leather trim seats, privacy glass, HID headlights with washers and heated seats front and rear, as well as satellite navigation.