Kia Sportage Si 2016 Review

What’s it all about?
When it was launched in 2010, Kia’s third-generation Sportage received plenty of plaudits for its design and packaging, but fell behind a little in terms of dynamic prowess.

The fourth-generation model, which came at the beginning of 2016, addressed those issues and lifted itself to class-challenging levels with more-refined dynamics, a bigger, better interior and a raft of safety upgrades.

Today’s Sportage range kicks off with the front-drive 2.0-litre Si petrol which, like all Sportage models, hooks up to a standard six-speed automatic transmission and brings some – but far from all – of the new-tech safety technology available higher up the ranks.

As a blood cousin of Hyundai’s Tucson, the Kia Sportage marches to a different drum when it comes to styling and price structure.

At $28,990 (plus on-road costs) the Sportage Si petrol sneaks in comfortably below the entry-level Hyundai ($31,090) yet duplicates it in just about every way including equipment, interior space and driving dynamics.

And if you are inclined to worry about the integrity of this freshly-emerging Korean car-maker, the seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, capped-price serving and roadside assistance package should allay any fears.

If the styling doesn’t hook you first, then the Sportage’s competence is bound to impress once you get behind the wheel.

With significant Australian input in developing the suspension calibrations, a welcome re-work of the electric steering system and a respectably-responsive, slightly tweaked and more economical (we did better than the official claim by recording 6.1L/100km on test) 114kW/192Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine, the Sportage fits comfortably with its peer group hailing from Korea, Japan and Germany.

That’s not to say it’s perfect. The engine is willing enough but gets a bit breathless at high rpm, the six-speed auto hunts uncomfortably ascending long hills and the cruise control is all over the place holding a selected speed.

The fourth-generation Sportage went on sale in January 2016 with the choice of three engines and three model grades.

There’s the 2.0-litre Si petrol reviewed here, a higher-power 134kW/237Nm 2.4-litre petrol – that is exclusive to the top-shelf Platinum-spec variant – and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel available only in mid-spec SLi and high-grade Platinum.

Who will it appeal to?
If a Hyundai looks a bit stodgy, but you’re attracted to the package size, the overall utility and the dynamic competence, the Sportage could be a perfect fit.

Like its predecessor it’s still a cool looker and is potentially a minor sensation at primary school pickup. And though it’s no mobile warehouse when it comes to total storage capacity, it holds its head high enough with a minimum 466-litre, easily-accessed boot that opens up to 1455 litres all seats folded.

Likewise its towing capabilities: 1600kg of braked trailer should cover a wide-enough selection of compact camper-trailers or mini caravans.

In this most competitive of market segments, the Sportage, like its competition, really has its work cut out. Its competitors include not just first-cousin Hyundai Tucson, but the once segment-busting Mazda CX-5, Toyota’s RAV4, Honda’s CR-V, Holden’s Captiva and Nissan’s X-TRAIL. And stalking them all is Volkswagen’s just-released second-generation Tiguan.

Although Kia pricing is edging upwards to reflect its true qualities, the Sportage still offers some financial benefits over the bulk of its SUV competitors.

So, what do we think?
The original Sportage was treated with justifiable suspicion when it was introduced in 1996. After a week with the latest-generation model, we came away convinced that Kia has done itself proud with the steady improvements that have been wrought over 20 years on what was once a sadly underdone mid-size SUV.

Price: $28,990 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 114kW/192Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 182g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star Euro NCAP

Also consider:

>> Hyundai Tucson (from $28,590 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda CX-5 (from $27,890 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Tiguan (from $31,990 plus ORCs)

Related reading:

>> KIA Sportage 2016 Review
>> KIA Sportage 2016: Video Review
>> Medium SUV Comparison 2016: KIA Sportage Platinum