Town and country

Kia’s soon-to-be-updated Sportage could well prove a welcome, cost-effective addition to the family fleet, writes Mark Harwood Stone.

A MODEL of small cross-over 4x4 that for some reason has never generated the interest it might have done. But for the canny buyer, phase-out model discounts coupled with a seven-year manufacturer’s ‘bumper-to-bumper’ and ten-year anti-corrosion warranties add a significant degree of lustre to purchasing this current but outgoing model.

Now manufactured at Zilina in Slovakia, the rounded, bluff colour-keyed exterior lines are only interrupted by the extended rear bumper, the Sportage’s presence enhanced by the flared wheel arches, smart 17in alloy rims and 195mm ground clearance. All four doors open good and wide while the tailgate can be opened as one unit or rear window only, ideal for immediate access while keeping dogs or other such occupants firmly interned.

Inside the Titan as tested qualifies for full leather trim plus a whole host of supposedly must-have toys such as a multi-speaker radio/CD, aircon and an auto-dim rearview mirror complete with digital compass. Along with all this the sports-style front seats are heated while privacy glass occupies the rear side and back windows. Both major and minor controls and instruments are sensibly situated, clear and within easy reach of the driver especially the 4x4 lock and stability control buttons while the infinitely adjustable driver’s seat and steering column ensure the ideal driving position can be found.

Split 60/40 the rear bench seat benefits from what Kia describe as their ‘Fold & Dive’ system. An excellent design, by lifting one lever situated to either side of the seat split, rear passengers can either recline their own individual section or when, pushed forward the squad submarines into the foot well while the back folds fully down still with the headrests in place, exposing the reinforced extended load bed and anchor points. Rapid and functional, the facility also increases available cargo capacity from 667 litres in five-seater mode to a capacious 1887 litres within seconds, significantly enhanced by virtue of the Sportage’s 1800kg braked weight towing capacity.

Big car sensation

Returning a respectable 39mpg or just short of 500 miles per 13-gallon tank, the economy and performance from the 199cc four-cylinder turbo-diesel is refined rather than brisk, the 110bhp and 305Nm of torque delivering a top speed of 110mph, 60 coming up in just over 11 seconds. Equally, if you push hard you’ll hit the limiters, the engine’s free-revving nature seeing the needle hit the red line quicker than anticipated so progress through the six-speed gearbox at times needs to be a tad vigorous.

Where the Sportage significantly impresses is the quality of ride and in the steering. Firm yet compliant, the on-road composure in no way impaired when rough tracks or off-road surfaces are encountered, a state of equilibrium remaining intact irrespective of cargo, a big car sensation in a pocket-sized package, the automatic torque transfer system distributing drive as and where it sees fit with the driver option of locking the drive into a 50:50 split. Similarly, the weight and response of the power steering provides an ideally weighted degree of load and driver effort combined with useful levels of practical feedback, the handling and composure of the Sportage exceeding expectations.

Where the existing model of the Sportage truly appeals is in its availability in both a 4x4 and two-wheel drive versions with prices currently starting at £15,210 for the entry level XE petrol version. Not an out and out off-roader, but as a vehicle with useful levels of practicality and first-rate manners whatever the circumstances, if ownership of the latest shape isn’t a top priority, Kia’s outgoing Sportage is more than worth considering.

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