Kia Sportage 2016 Review

Kia Sportage Si, SLi and Platinum

Australian Launch Review

Kia's fourth-generation Sportage arrives Down Under this week with a range price of $28,990 - $45,990 (plus on-road costs). It's the most expensive Sportage yet, and commences $3000 more than the outgoing model with the base-grade Sportage Si. Automatic only, the range features two petrol and one turbo-diesel engine, as well as the option of front and all-wheel drive. Styling and safety is dramatically improved, the Sportage now including safety aids only offered by a few in this class. Add these points to the longest warranty in the business and we reckon Kia could be on the verge of something very big in mid-sized SUVs.
Fresh from its recent debut at the Frankfurt motor show the all-new Kia Sportage has landed in Oz. On sale this week, the fourth-generation Sportage arrives more expensive but better-equipped than the outgoing model, the range now beginning $3000 dearer than the SL-series at $28,990 (plus ORCs).

The increase in price also means the new Sportage is dearer than all of its mainstream competitors bar the Jeep Cherokee (from $33,500).

By way of contrast the entry-grade Suzuki Grand Vitara is just $25,990 and the Holden Captiva 5 $26,490. Desirable models including the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-TRAIL and Toyota RAV4 are also cheaper by as much as $1500 [Ed: though we note that many of these do not offer an automatic transmission as standard].

According to Kia the buzzword on Sportage is safety; though we note that the added technology on offer does come at a price... Kia has added a multitude of electronic driver aids (including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping technology, high-beam assist, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking) to its popular mid-sized model, though most are exclusive to the high-grade Platinum, which retails from $45,990 (plus ORCs).

Much of the same technology is available as a bundled option on some competitors; including lower grade Mazda CX-5 variants whose Safety Pack is a $1230 option. Kia says it may re-evaluate a similar offering for the Sportage if customer demand is strong enough.

The safety add-ons join a stronger body and the usual gamut of three-letter driver assistance acronyms, six airbags and kids' seat supports (both ISOFIX and top-tether). All contribute to a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating.

Like all Kias, the Sportage benefits from a seven-year warranty with included roadside assistance and capped-price servicing scheme (which is seven years or 105,000km). Service intervals for all driveline variants are set annually or at 15,000km (whichever comes first).

Newly styled and larger the before, the new Sportage now measures 4480mm in length (+40mm) and rides on a longer 2670mm wheelbase (+30mm). The front overhang grows 20mm while the rear is reduced 10mm. The vehicle's height is unchanged at 1635mm, as is its 1855mm overall width. It's also up to 100kg heavier than before, depending on grade.

These factors contribute to a small but appreciated uptick in interior space. Front-seat headroom grows 5mm to 997mm) while rear-seat headroom increases 16mm to 993mm. Legroom grows 19mm up front (now 1129mm) and 7mm up back (to 970mm), while the rear-seat floor drops 40mm and the rear-seat hip-point rises 30mm to improve ingress and egress.

Kia has also reinstated the adjustable rear-seat backrest found in its second-generation KM-series Sportage, offering seven steps of adjustment ranging from 23 to 37 degrees.

Cargo space grows by a single litre to 466 litres and is expandable to 1455 litres with the 60:40 split-fold seats flipped down. The cargo bay is 35mm wider and the floor 47mm lower (to 732mm) to aid the loading and unloading of heavier items. The cargo cover stows to one side when not in use.

The fuel tank holds four litres more, now 62 litres, which should improve the cruising range of the Kia's familiar, but mildly revised, engine line-up. For the local market, the Korean-sourced Sportage is offered with a choice of three engines, two petrol and one diesel.

Entry grade Sportage Si and mid-grade SLi variants are available with a 2.0-litre multipoint-injected four-cylinder petrol (114kW/192Nm) while a 2.4-litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol (135kW/237Nm) is offered in high-grade Platinum only. A 2.0-litre direct-injected four-cylinder turbo-diesel (136kW/400Nm) is offered across the line-up.

Fuel consumption for the trio is listed at 7.9L (-0.5L), 8.5 (-0.1L) and 6.8L/100km (-0.4L) respectively on the ADR Combined cycle.

Kia says it's 2.0-litre 'Nu' petrol unit features changes to the continuously variable vale timing system, lightened die-cast aluminium block, a new variable induction setup, revised cooling system and injectors, and a low-friction (mechanical) oil pump to improve efficiency.

Meanwhile, the 2.4-litre 'Theta II' petrol receives a similarly enhanced valve-timing arrangement, variable induction system and higher-pressure injectors, while the 2.0-litre 'R' turbo-diesel scores a lighter block (-5kg), revised battery management system and continuously variable displacement oil pump.

All grades are offered as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission (the manual entry model now obsolete) which drives the front wheels only in 2.0-litre petrol models. The 2.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel grades are fitted as standard with Kia's carry-over on-demand all-wheel drive system.

The Sportage's locally-tuned suspension is fully independent all-round (strut front, multi-link rear, lowered on GT Line variants) and the steering is a column-mounted electrically-assisted set-up offering a turning circle of 10.6m.

All models are arrested by four-wheel disc brakes which grow in diameter to 305mm up front (+5mm) and 302mm up back (+40mm).

The electronic park brake now engages automatically when the vehicle is switched off.

Depending on grade the Sportage rides on a choice of 17, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheel designs (shod with 225/60, 225/55 or 245/45-series tyres). All models come with a full-size matching alloy spare wheel.

The new Sportage weighs between 1499-1590kg, depending on variant, with braked towing ratings ranging through 1600kg for the front-wheel drive 2.0-litre petrol Si and SLi, 1500kg for the all-wheel drive 2.4-litre petrol Platinum and 1900kg for the all-wheel drive 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Platinum.

We've detailed styling and equipment highlights of the new Sportage range previously, but are equally impressed by the changes to the model's on-road performance.

It’s quickly evident that the new Sportage is easier to see out of. Rearward vision is especially improved, though in spite of the change to rear-seat height, we reckon small children will still have a hard time seeing out.

The car is appreciably quieter on-road, though we found the 19-inch wheels of the Platinum grade were noisy over coarse chip gravel. Driveline noise is very well attenuated, the only exception being the 2.0-litre which is rorty when worked.

Cabin space is well utilised, and the second-row is noticeably more spacious. Oddment storage is well addressed, however, the open compartment ahead of the gearshift containing USB, 12-volt and auxiliary inputs is open, meaning you’ll need to unplug and hide your devices each time you park (rather than simply closing a lid). Lower grade Si and SLi models do present an ambience rich in black plastics, albeit with a mix of hard and soft textures. The Sportage is not alone in this issue…

On the road the Sportage feels taut and very secure. The steering is sharper than before offering prompt turn-in, which is met with confident body control. In spite of its control, however, the ride is not unduly firm, and even on larger diameter wheels the Sportage remains comfortable – even on the poorer road surfaces encountered on test.

Engine wise, we find the 2.0-litre petrol adequate for the task with surprisingly decent overtaking performance on flat ground. It does need to work to conquer steep inclines, but with a cooperative and clean-shifting transmission this too was taken in its stride.

We found the front-wheel drive chassis settled, even on loose gravel surfaces, with only mild torque steer present on heavy throttle inputs. The all-wheel drive model is obviously better again, though we think most urban buyers will find the difference negligible, and probably prefer to save a few bucks.

The 2.4-litre petrol provides a noticeable uptick in power over the 2.0-litre petrol, and is very nearly as brisk as the diesel when climbing hills and overtaking. The downside is it’s heavier on fuel, and was the thirstiest of the three on launch, consuming 10.2L/100km (average) according to the trip computer. For reference, the 2.0-litre petrol consumed 9.6L/100km and the diesel 7.9L/100km. We’ll get a more representative real-world average when we sample the Sportage in more familiar environs soon.

If you’re up for a fair dose of highway cruising, we’d recommend the turbo-diesel (CRDi) engine. It’s surprisingly sprightly and performs strongly when called to overtake. Low-down torque is very strong and turbo lag is negligible. It also presents little of the diesel ‘clatter’ usually experienced in SUVs of this price range, and is appreciably more fuel efficient in real-world driving. On test, the CRDi-powered models adhered more closely to the manufacturer’s claim, and this in spite of a very similar drive route between engine types.

On the downside, the Sportage’s brake pedal modulation is a little tense. There’s a keen early response that can take some getting used to, though brake performance is certainly strong.

The improvements to the Sportage may seem incremental in the scheme of things, but have significantly improved the model's relevance – and value – in one of Australia's most fiercely competitive new-vehicle segments.

Given the Sportage's fall to seventh place (7596 units) in the mid-size SUV sales race last year they are changes that could catapult the model nearer to the top of that ladder.

Combine that fact with the strongest after-sales support programme in the business – as well as one of the most sure-footed drives since Mazda’s CX-5 – and we reckon Kia is on to a winner.

2016 Kia Sportage Si and SLi

2016 Kia Sportage Platinum AWD

2016 Kia Sportage Platinum AWD CRDi