Auto tested more than 80 cars in 2023. As has become tradition, we re-publish our twelve favourite tests of the year as our Best Tests daily through mid-December. Then we present three Auto Special Awards in Best EV, Best Bakkie and Performance car of the year 2023. And then we choose the Top 3 Best Tests, before announcing Best Test 2023 on 1 January 2024. So come back for your daily Auto entertainment everyday through your holidays!
Auto Best Test 2023 #3: Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage still a great adventurous driver’s choice
We go back a long way with Kia. Way back a quarter century to 1998 when Uncle Ray Levin first started importing Kias via his Germiston dealership. That was also long before Hyundai annexed its compatriot Korean brand.
It seems like yesterday when Ray called. “Come visit us,” he beckoned. “We have something interesting to show you.” We’d never seen a Kia before so it was indeed a most interesting visit, but it was that original Sportage that most piqued our attention. Ray handed us the keys and sent us off. “Bring it back when you’re done,” he muttered, as he bade us farewell.
Sportage Has come a long, long way
As basic and rudimentary as it was, the original Sportage still impressed us. “It’s most effective at both poles of its driving envelope,” we concluded “This Kia provides an exceptional choice to the adventurous, active family driver. It’s a fun vehicle, more than capable in any of its varied driving abilities, both on and off the road.”
I remember discussing it with the guys and pondering where Korean cars would go in future. Well, here’s the answer. This time the occasion was for us to sample the latest Sportage is a new turbodiesel engine. But it was also a fine opportunity to keep tabs on how far, exactly, the Kia brand and its fine Sportage has come over its quarter century in South Africa.
Still a versatile, value package, the Sportage has evolved continuously over its generations through the years. Today it offers a splendid specification while still delivering great value for money. Available in a broad dynamic, and high tech range, Sportage also oozes great style. Kia firmly believes Sportage remains the ultimate urban SUV. Let’s take a look!
Bold Sportage character has softness of quality
Resplendent in Kia’s latest dynamic and assertive ‘Opposites United’ design language, the latest Sportage blends bold character with a softness of quality and innovation. Our electric blue derv flagship GT-Line sample Sportage adds a sporty gloss black grille and trim, 19-inch face polished black alloys, privacy rear glass and stylish scuff plates to an already sexy look.
That’s complimented by smart DRL LED headlamps, LED fog lamps and LED combination tail and rear fog lamps. As smart as they appear, those headlamps could however be brighter. 4.51 meters long 1.86 wide, 1,65 m tall, riding on a 2.68 m wheelbase and built on its sturdy new N3 platform, Kia promises us that Sportage offers class-leading legroom, headroom, and luggage capacity.
A high quality, high tech space oriented to the driver, Kia says Sportage has a state-of-the-art cabin. We won’t argue. Best tech fuses with luxury in a premium, sculpted space you’d otherwise expect from a super-SUV. Clad in faux black leather and suede, there’s LED interior lighting, alloy pedals and steering shifter paddles under a panoramic glass sunroof.
A high quality, high tech driver’s space
The cabin’s dominated by 12.3-inch curved touchscreen CarPlay, Auto, Bluetooth, USB and USB-C rich cartainment. Also run by voice and multifunction controls on the heated soft touch leather smart steering wheel, its typically Kia basic. But that’s not a bad thing. Easily understood and simple to operate, it outsmarts most rival systems by working very well!
Spec includes smart entry with push-button start, an auto-hold electric parking brake and power repeater wing mirrors. A power tailgate opens the 591 litre boot behind a 40:20:40 split heated rear bench. That folds down to deliver a flat cargo space at the touch of a button. Not just all very practical, but stylish and beyond daring enough too.
Getting down to the nuts and bolts, the big Sportage news is of course under the bonnet. This all-new 100 kW 320 Nm 1.6-litre CRDi Common Rail Direct Injection turbodiesel turns the front wheels via a 7-speed double clutch transmission. Kia reckons it will rush to 100 km/h in 11.4 seconds. Well, they’re wrong. Its more than a second quicker than that.
This Sportage is quicker than they say
Which makes us wonder if its faster than its claimed 180 km/h maximum speed too? We tested the rest, as per the data below. It’s no rocket ship. No, it’s rather competently middle of the road. We found Kia’s 4.9 litre per hundred kilometre fuel claims to be pretty honest, too. Which both verifies its 129 g/hm CO2 claim and suggests over 1,100 km range.
MacPherson strut front and a four-link rear suspension and an advanced steering system endows Sportage with a comfortable ride and dynamic handling. Braking is courtesy of 325 mm vented front and 300 mm solid rear discs. Add ABS, EBD and downhill assist brakes with electronic stability, hill and tailer control, and comfort, eco, sport and smart drive modes.
Active safety systems include advanced forward collision, lane follow and lane keeping, and blind spot assistants. Sportage has six driver’s, front passenger, side, and side curtain airbags, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
a sophisticated, smart, and desirable SUV.
A touch taut, this Kia’s steering is perhaps a bit too direct and darty on the open road. For the rest however, it drives as good as it looks. Which is pretty good. Yes, much has changed in 25 years. The Kia Sportage has become a hugely sophisticated, smart, and desirable SUV.
But it certainly hasn’t forgotten its roots and we can once again confirm that like it’s ancestor we first met a quarter century ago, this latest Kia Sportage remains an exceptional choice for the adventurous, active family driver. – Michele Lupini
Images: Michele Lupini, test data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Kia Sportage 1.6CRDi GT Line Plus Engine: 100 kW 320 Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel I4 Drive: 7-speed Double Clutch Automatic FWD TESTED: 0-60 km/h: 4.93 sec 0-100 km/h: 10.35 sec 0-120 km/h: 14.43 sec 0-160 km/h: 28.38 sec 400m: 17.4 sec @ 132 km/h 80-120 km/h: 7.19 sec 120-160 km/h: 13.95 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 180 km/h Fuel: 4.9 l/100 km CO2: 125 g/km Range: 1,100 km Braked Trailer: 1,650 kg Warranty/Service: 5y unl./6y 90K km LIST PRICE: R747K RATED: 8 How does it shape up? Check Auto's Test Records now!
