By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring
Late in 2021 Kia launched the fifth generation Sportage mid-sized SUV. The gens 3 and 4 were big seller in Australia for many years, frequently topping the sales charts in its class. Not just topping them, but leaving the others in its class so far behind that their marketing departments must have been close to tears.
The Gen 5 Kia Sportage is sold in four variants, entry-level S, mid-spec SX and SX+ and top-grade GT-Line. Our review car for the week was the SX.
STYLING.
The front has a much bolder look its predecessor, with a gloss black grille stretched across the width of the vehicle. It’s flanked by a pair of boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights which frame the diagonal LED headlights.
In profile there’s a semi-fastback look to new Sportage with the roofline sloping sharply down to the integrated spoiler and angular taillights which are linked by a strong horizontal line that gives a wider appearance.
Each spec level gets a different wheel style. All are machined finish alloys, 17-inch in the S, 18-inch in the SX and 19-inch in the SX+ and GT-Line.
INTERIOR
The cabin has an upmarket look and feel that’s impressive in a vehicle selling at a comparable moderate price.
It’s now larger in all external dimensions than the outgoing model and that contributes to extra interior space, especially in the rear seats. There’s stretch out space for four adults, five without too much shoulder and hip running in the back. Only
INFOTAINMENT
There are three different levels of infotainment touchscreens: 8.0-inch in the S, 12.3-inch LCD in the SX and SX+; and a curved display in the GT-Line that combines both the 12.3-inch LCD infotainment screen with a 12.3-inch digital drive cluster. The lower-spec models each get a 4.2-inch digital driver cluster.
The SX, SX+ and GT-Line get satellite navigation with 10-year updates as well as the capacity to personalise their preferences such as radio favourites and Bluetooth priorities.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available. We found Bluetooth pairing to be fast and intuitive, always a plus when you’re in our position of frequent swapping from vehicle to vehicle during road testing.
As always, DAB+ dropped out far too often, not only when driving in our home area where there are lots of high-rise buildings, but also when running on roads cut through hilly areas or with lots of trees on verges.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
There’s a huge choice of powertrains in new Sportage: including two petrol and one diesel engines; manual and three different automatic transmissions; and either front or all-wheel drive.
The S and SX models each get the naturally-aspirated MPI 2.0-litre petrol engine that carries over from the outgoing Sportage. Peak outputs are 115 kW and 192 Nm and it comes with the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions and front-wheel drive.
Available across all four variants is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that generates 137 kW and 416 Nm. It’s mated to an eight-speed auto and only comes with all-wheel drive. This was the powertrain in our test car.
The top spec GT-Line comes with either the 1.6T-GDI or the 2.0 CRDI with eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive.
The Sportage SX+ gets the full menu choice with both of the above engines as well as a new 1.6T-GDI engine producing 132 kW of power and up to 265 Nm turbo-petrol unit linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
SAFETY
All models have seven airbags (including front-centre); autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist features; blind spot collision warning; rear cross traffic warning; driver inattention alert; lane keeping and following assist; safe exit warning; intelligent speed limit assist; rear parking sensors; multi-collision braking; reversing camera; automatic headlights; and IsoFix child seat anchors.
DRIVING
As with all Australian Kia models there has been considerable local input into tuning Sportage to suit our driving conditions and the likes of typical owners.
The result is improved ride and handling that combines comfort with stability even when pushed reasonably hard. During our test period we covered close to 500 kilometres on our usual selection of roads that included 100 km/h motorways, suburban streets, shopping centres and hilly country roads. Some of the latter are in good condition, others have been knocked around a fair bit by the recent heavy rains and floods.
We liked it, and suspect that many the ‘typical’ Aussie drivers will like it as well. It’s certainly worth adding to your list of medium-large SUVs under consideration.
Our fuel consumption was impressively low – averaging just eight litres per hundred kilometres around town and just five to six litres per hundred kilometres in our usual mixture of country roads.
SUMMING UP
With its combination of striking new looks, a large choice of drivetrains, added safety features and the impressive seven-year warranty the new Kia Sportage has plenty of offer.
Would we buy one? It’s larger than we need for our two-people-plus-a-dog family but other than that it’s got a lot going for it.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
S 2.0-litre 2WD petrol: $32,445 (six-speed manual), $35,000 (six-speed automatic)
S 2.0-litre 2WD turbo-diesel: $39,845 (eight-speed automatic)
SX 2.0-litre 2WD petrol: $35,000 (six-speed manual), $37,000 (six-speed automatic)
SX 2.0-litre AWD turbo-diesel: $42,400 (eight-speed automatic)
SX+ 2.0-litre 2WD petrol: $41,500 (six-speed automatic)
SX+ 2.0-litre AWD turbo-diesel: $42,400 (eight-speed automatic)
SX+ 1.6-litre AWD turbo-petrol: $43,500 (seven-speed DCT automatic)
GT-Line 1.6-litre AWD turbo-petrol: $49,370 (seven-speed DCT automatic)
GT-Line AWD 2.0-litre turbo-diesel: $52,370 (eight-speed automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Kia dealer for drive-away prices..
