LAST year was a bumper year for Kia.
With total sales of 78,330 the Korean manufacturer finished third in the overall sales race behind Toyota and Mazda, the company‘s first–ever podium finish. Along the way Kia also won family bragging rights by outselling sibling Hyundai for the first time.
Star performer for Kia in 2022 was the fifth–generation Sportage which arrived at the start of the year and accounted for almost a quarter of the brand‘s total sales.
As with the previous model Sportage comes in four variants, S, SX, SX+ and GT–Line, with the choice of petrol or diesel engines and two– and four–wheel drive.
STYLING
Although we‘re told that the styling of the latest Sportage has polarised opinions we love it, as presumably do the nearly 19,000 people who bought one during 2022.
The front has a bold look with the new gloss black grille stretched across the width of the vehicle and flanked by a pair of boomerang–shaped LED daytime running lights.
While the similarity is probably coincidental, we reckon they‘re modelled on boomerangs – that‘s our story and we‘re sticking to it!
In profile there‘s a new semi–fastback look with the roofline sloping down to an integrated spoiler and angular taillights which are linked by a strong horizontal line that gives the car 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 of Sportage has been upgraded and now has a more upmarket look and feel even in the lower–level SX that we drove.
The extra width of MY22 Sportage translates into more interior space all round, especially in the rear where there‘s comfortable space for four adults, five without too much shoulder and hip running in the back.
Rear seat passengers do miss out on many of the features that we‘re becoming used to including storage spaces, air conditioning controls or USB ports. There is a large folding centre armrest with two drink holders.
Boot space is pretty good at 543 litres with the rear seatbacks in place, expandable to 1829 litres when they‘re folded. SX+ and GT–Line have a powered bootlid.
Another plus, at least in our opinion, is that all Sportage models get a full–size spare wheel under the boot floor.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The choice of Sportage powertrains could hardly be more impressive. There are two petrol and one diesel engines; manual and three different automatic transmissions; and either front or all–wheel drive.
The S, SX and SX+ each get a naturally–aspirated 2.0–litre petrol engine that carries over from the outgoing Sportage. Maximum outputs are 115 kW at 6200 rpm and 192 Nm at 4500 revs. Both S and SX have a six–speed manual option while all three get a six–speed automatic transmission and front–wheel drive only.
A 2.0–litre turbo–diesel is available with all variants. It generates 137 kW and 416 Nm and is mated to an eight–speed auto and only comes with all–wheel drive.
The third engine option is a new 1.6T–GDI turbocharged petrol engine producing 132 kW of power and up to 265 Nm of torque. It‘s available with both the SX+ and GT–Line and comes with seven–speed dual–clutch automatic transmission and AWD.
INFOTAINMENT
Sportage comes with three different 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 screen with a 12.3–inch digital driver cluster. The lower–spec models each get a basic 4.2–inch LCD driver cluster.
SAFETY
Kia Sportage got the maximum 5–star ANCAP rating when tested in 2022 under the more stringent regime.
DRIVING
The height of Sportage makes for relatively easy access. And, once settled, the front seats are firm, supportive but still comfortable and bode well for long–distance trips.
There‘s excellent visibility in all directions with large doors, windows and side mirrors together with the sloping bonnet all contributing.
Start–up in both S and SX is through an old–style key–in–ignition which we actually still prefer – at least you always know where the key is.
SX+ and GT–Line have push button start/stop
As with most Australian Kia models there has been considerable local input into tuning Sportage to suit local conditions.
The result is improved ride and handling that combines comfort with stability even when pushed reasonably hard.
Steering is direct and responsive.
Fuel consumption is listed at 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres from the naturally–aspirated 2.0–litre engine in the SX that we tested. We averaged 9.2 L/100km. By comparison, the claimed usage from the 1.6–T engine is 7.2 L/100km and 6.3 with the diesel.
SUMMING UP
With its combination of striking new looks, spacious interior, large choice of drivetrains, added safety features and the impressive seven–year warranty the new Kia Sportage has plenty of offer.
RATINGS
Looks: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Safety: 9/10
Thirst: 8/10
Practicality: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 8/10
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.
SPECIFICATIONS (Kia Sportage SX 2.0–litre petrol five–door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.999 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 115 kW @ 6200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 192 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Fuel Type: Standard unleaded
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.1 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 184 g/km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
