Not just the Koreans. Although their story is a remarkable one, besting and trumping mainstream established Japanese makers at their own game, it's the products that are simply becoming amazing.
Auto123.com's trek to the AJAC Test Fest down the 401, a little while ago, really cemented the feeling that we have been getting: today's automobiles are nothing short of impressive. All of them. Have you driven the new Ford Fiesta? The Jeep Grand Cherokee? The Chevrolet Cruze? The Hyundai Sonata? The Mazda3? No? I would before making any derogatory comments...
The small vehicle categories are the ones that have really stood out. Subcompact and compact cars as well as CUVs have nothing less than taken it to the mid-size cars with room, features and quality, all for less money and, in many cases, lower fuel consumption.
One good-looker
Of all of the players in the compact CUV club, it is the Kia Sportage that really stands out for me. If you know and understand car design, then the name Peter Schreyer means something to you. Responsible for the current design language of the Korean carmaker, Mr Schreyer once said, following a question, that it was easier to pen new products for Kia than Audi because of a more open-minded approach to brand image and less history. Essentially, with “carte blanche”, Mr Schreyer has given birth to the brand. In a matter of speaking, of course.
Given that liberty, the man has created some of the most attractive vehicles in their respective categories. The new Sportage surely has one of the most captivating sheetmetal amongst all of its competitors. From head on, the Sportage could be mistaken for a good-looking Japanese or even a German product. Basically, I could not find a wrong angle to this compact CUV. One thing did rub me the opposite from right way and that was the Citrus Yellow paint job. Eeesh...
However handsome the Sportage may be on the outside, it's the cabin's design and execution that really got me. Off the top, the plastics are somewhat hard and inexpensive to the touch. But everything else about the passengers' quarters is top drawer.
The dashboard design is the most original and functional since that of the current generation Civic with its two-level instrument cluster. Kia did not reinvent the wheel here, but the angle and position of the climate control buttons make them amazingly easy to operate. The same goes for the top-mounted, protruding audio system which is clearly visible and accessible.
Auto123.com's trek to the AJAC Test Fest down the 401, a little while ago, really cemented the feeling that we have been getting: today's automobiles are nothing short of impressive. All of them. Have you driven the new Ford Fiesta? The Jeep Grand Cherokee? The Chevrolet Cruze? The Hyundai Sonata? The Mazda3? No? I would before making any derogatory comments...
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| Of all of the players in the compact CUV club, it is the Kia Sportage that really stands out for me. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
The small vehicle categories are the ones that have really stood out. Subcompact and compact cars as well as CUVs have nothing less than taken it to the mid-size cars with room, features and quality, all for less money and, in many cases, lower fuel consumption.
One good-looker
Of all of the players in the compact CUV club, it is the Kia Sportage that really stands out for me. If you know and understand car design, then the name Peter Schreyer means something to you. Responsible for the current design language of the Korean carmaker, Mr Schreyer once said, following a question, that it was easier to pen new products for Kia than Audi because of a more open-minded approach to brand image and less history. Essentially, with “carte blanche”, Mr Schreyer has given birth to the brand. In a matter of speaking, of course.
Given that liberty, the man has created some of the most attractive vehicles in their respective categories. The new Sportage surely has one of the most captivating sheetmetal amongst all of its competitors. From head on, the Sportage could be mistaken for a good-looking Japanese or even a German product. Basically, I could not find a wrong angle to this compact CUV. One thing did rub me the opposite from right way and that was the Citrus Yellow paint job. Eeesh...
However handsome the Sportage may be on the outside, it's the cabin's design and execution that really got me. Off the top, the plastics are somewhat hard and inexpensive to the touch. But everything else about the passengers' quarters is top drawer.
The dashboard design is the most original and functional since that of the current generation Civic with its two-level instrument cluster. Kia did not reinvent the wheel here, but the angle and position of the climate control buttons make them amazingly easy to operate. The same goes for the top-mounted, protruding audio system which is clearly visible and accessible.
 |
| Inside, the plastics are somewhat hard and inexpensive to the touch. But everything else about the passengers' quarters is top drawer. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |