Theta II reporting for duty
Performance and refinement from the Sportage's standard 176-horsepower, 2.4-litre ‘Theta II’ engine should prove adequate if not electrifying enough for most, and test drivers after more jam can wait for the turbocharged Sportage SX to hit the road early next year. Expect output in the 260-horsepower ballpark, which should step things up another notch or three.
Minor gripes at first glance
Your writer’s initial complaints after some 800 kilometres at the wheel were minor, and limited mainly to a slow-to-respond manual shift mode and some additional wind noise intrusion in models with the dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
All said, given the Sportage's competitive pricing, it hits hard where style, utility and, perhaps surprisingly, sportiness are concerned. Pricing starts at $21,995 for a front-drive, six-speed model, and tops out around $35,000 with navigation, AWD and a luxury package. The 2011 Sportage is landing on dealer lots now with a base price of $21,995.
Performance and refinement from the Sportage's standard 176-horsepower, 2.4-litre ‘Theta II’ engine should prove adequate if not electrifying enough for most, and test drivers after more jam can wait for the turbocharged Sportage SX to hit the road early next year. Expect output in the 260-horsepower ballpark, which should step things up another notch or three.
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| Performance and refinement from the Sportage's standard 176-horsepower, 2.4-litre ‘Theta II’ engine. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Minor gripes at first glance
Your writer’s initial complaints after some 800 kilometres at the wheel were minor, and limited mainly to a slow-to-respond manual shift mode and some additional wind noise intrusion in models with the dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
All said, given the Sportage's competitive pricing, it hits hard where style, utility and, perhaps surprisingly, sportiness are concerned. Pricing starts at $21,995 for a front-drive, six-speed model, and tops out around $35,000 with navigation, AWD and a luxury package. The 2011 Sportage is landing on dealer lots now with a base price of $21,995.
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