Born in 1993, the name sportage it is currently the oldest in the Kia range and the only one of the Korean brand's initial “offensive” models in Europe that has survived to this day (do you still remember the Shuma, Sephia and even Carnival?) and is now one of the best-selling models of Kia in the Old Continent.
It is still demonstrative of the vitality and rapid renewal of the segment, that the three years of life of this successful generation of Sportage, allow us to consider it as a veteran in the segment.
Now, to ensure that success remains, Kia not only swapped the 1.7 CRDi for the new 1.6 CRDi (anti-pollution regulations required this) but also moved towards a (very) discreet facelift, seeking to keep its current SUV in a segment fierce, with more proposals and increasingly competitive, which he helped to found.
Aesthetically, the sportage it remains practically unchanged, receiving only a few touches on the redesigned bumper, grille and headlamps — it still retains a certain “air” of… Porsche, especially when viewed from the front.
Inside the Kia Sportage
As in the exterior, also in the interior the renovation was discreet , summed up only by a new steering wheel (with some buttons with a metallic touch), a renewed instrument panel and discreet aesthetic touches of the ventilation outlets.
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Thus, the qualities so far recognized in the Sportage's interior, such as ergonomics, robustness and build quality, have remained, and the same happens with… the “defects” such as the somewhat gloomy environment, an infotainment system with old-fashioned graphics and the lack of storage spaces.
Speaking of space, with the adoption of the new engine and the arrival of an AdBlue deposit, the luggage compartment capacity dropped from 503 l to 476 l . In terms of habitability, there is enough space for four adults to travel in comfort. As for the fifth place, the high transmission tunnel harms (a lot) the comfort of those who travel there.
At the wheel of the Kia Sportage
Once seated at the controls of the Sportage it is not difficult to find a comfortable driving position, thanks in part to the wide adjustments of the seat and steering wheel. Ergonomics is once again in good shape, but the same does not happen with the rear visibility, which suffers from the large dimensions of the C-pillar.
Already in progress, the behavior is guided by predictability, with Sportage showing itself to be safe and stable. The steering is direct and communicative q.b, the snare has a pleasant feel (but not the same as the one we found, for example, in the CX-3) and it's just a pity that the brake pedal shows a somewhat spongy feel.
As for comfort, Sportage bets above all on solidity. This means that, despite not being uncomfortable, don't expect a cushioning reminiscent of a sofa (or at the level presented by the C5 Aircross), with the Sportage presenting a firmer cushioning than what happens with other competitors such as the Honda CR- V or Skoda Karoq.
Finally, the new 1.6 CRDi It is pleasant to use, smooth and even goes up well in rotation, but it does not fail to show some "lack of lung" at lower rotations, which ends up forcing us to resort to the box more often than necessary, passing on to the consequent bill on consumption (mainly in urban areas).
Speaking of consumption, on the open road and on the highway (where the Kia Sportage feels better) it is possible to achieve values in the home of 6 l/100 km if we walk with some calm. However, when we decide (or have to) squeeze the 136 hp of the 1.6 CRDi or when we spend a lot of time in a city environment, consumption rises to close to 7.5 l/100 km.
The front still has a certain familiarity with Porsche SUVs.
Is the car right for me?
With the arrival of the new 1.6 CRDi, an engine that, in addition to being smoother, more economical and more usable than its predecessor, is even less polluting, the Kia Sportage saw its arguments reinforced in an increasingly competitive segment and where, as a rule, , the antiquity of a product pays dearly, which is to say, sales - except for the Qashqai, which seems immune to the march of time...
Well built, well equipped and with a look that remains current and distinct — it was launched in 2016 — the Sportage is still an option to consider, offering safe handling and, with the arrival of the new engine, much more consumption nice for the wallet.
If it is true that it is not the most spacious in the segment, the most recent, the most dynamic or the most technologically advanced, it is also true that the Kia model remains an option to consider.
Mainly if you value a good level of equipment, reduced consumption (within the extent possible) and the added versatility of the SUV, the Sportage continues to have a say, especially given the existence of a Kia promotional campaign in force that allows you to withdraw many thousands of euros from the amount requested by Sportage.