Kia Sportage 2005 Review

Remember badge engineering? Back in the 1980s, it was a cheap and easy way of filling a vacant slot in your vehicle line-up. So the Suzuki Sierra became the Holden Drover, the Nissan Patrol became the Ford Maverick.

Excluding anachronisms like Lexus LX470, in the 21st, we have a more sophisticated form of badge engineering - genetic engineering. You share another manufacturer's platform, mechanicals and clothe it with new panels and trim and call it your own. Enter the Kia Sportage.

Kia is Korea's oldest vehicle manufacturer and is part of the Hyundai group. So it is easy to see why the Sportage borrows heavily from the Hyundai Tucson, with mechanicals, suspension and floorpan plus many other bits and pieces shared and costs are amortised over the two brands, presumably. The difference is in appearance and in the fine-print of the spec list. While the Tucson has two trim levels, the Sportage has one, a similar package to base spec Tucson. So that means ABS brakes, traction control, dual front airbags, power mirrors, windows and doors, alloy wheels, aircon, CD player, cruise control and auto transmission. The electric sunroof and leather upholstery option is $2800 and metallic or mica paint will cost you an extra $190, and while Elite has a trip computer none is available on Sportage. Kia includes on-road costs in its asking price.

The Sportage is a big leap forward over the last model, and has the same sweet chassis balance as the Tucson. If you were an old Sportage owner you won't believe the ride quality in the new one. It is superb. The transmission is creamy smooth and the engine, while lacking a little in torque at low rpm and sounding a bit gruff at high revs, still delivers a reassuring stream of power and torque compared to others in the class. The 2.7-litre V6, used in various Hyundai models, has not shaken its reputation for thirstiness, though - Kia quotes an EU urban use figure of 13.0L/100km, but we got 16.0L/100km in Sydney.

Some may lament that the Sportage has lost its predecessor's off-road ability and toughness, but no-one will complain about the value and overall competence of this package. We're a little bemused by around town fuel economy, but otherwise it's a good thing.