IT was catch-up time. For some
reason I hadn’t driven the latest
version of the Kia Sportage,
although I had been behind the
wheel of previous versions.
So a week in the South Korean
manufacturer’s best-seller was long
overdue.
The previous Sportage stormed
the SUV-crossover sector, lifting the
already-burgeoning profile of the
brand. And the latest iteration has
continued the trend,
The all-new car entered the top
ten UK best-sellers during its first
month on sale.
And, in March, Kia notched up its
best single-month sales
performance, which saw a total of
18,801 new cars sold, the Sportage
leading the way with 8,220 sales.
The brand, which was established
in 1944, first started trading here in
1991, selling just under 1,800 cars in
the UK that year. The Kia range
now covers nine segments with 12
cars on offer.
With its origins of manufacturing
bicycles in South Korea, the
company has grown to be part of
the fifth-largest automotive group
in the world and is present in more
than 170 countries.
Features on our 1.7 CRDI 2 Eco
included cruise control and speed
limiter, reach and range
adjustment for the leather-trimmed
steering wheel which has mounted
controls, dual automatic air con,
powered lumbar support for the
driver’s seat, ambient interior
lighting, satnav, reversing camera
system and sensors, Bluetooth,
rear USB charging port, privacy
glass for rear windows and tailgate,
automatic headlight control, rainsensing
wipers and power-folding
door mirrors. Among the safety kit
you will find such sophisticated
features as lane keep assist, high
beam assist, hill start assist
control, trailer stability assist and
impact-sensing door unlocking.
Practicality? Try front and rear
12-volt power sockets, centre
console storage box, luggage net
hooks and 60-40 split- folding rear
seats for starters.
The driving experience is
pleasing with assured handling ,
and the engine is something of a
revelation.
The 114bhp, 1685cc, four-cylinder
diesel feels more like a two-litre
unit, with the manufacturer’s
figures of 0-60mph in 11.1 seconds
and top speed of 109mph seeming
rather modest. Fuel consumption
is 61.4mpg (combined).
My week in the Sportage saw it
given a thorough work-out, hauling
a full complement of passengers
and luggage over a period of
several days in a variety of
conditions, including motorway,
town and country. The car was
admirable throughout.
Price: £22,050 OTR.
First published July 7, 2017
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