Responsive, sharp, entertaining
Sportage SX’s engine and six-speed automatic work well together for excellent responsiveness, and standing on the rightmost pedal almost instantly summons up a potent surge of forward thrust. The kids will ask you to do it over and over again, and passing and merging power are nearly startling.
Engineers even tweaked the handling to make the Sportage SX sportier with tighter, heavier steering and suspension modifications. Add in positive and precise brake pedal feel and all-wheel drive traction, and it’s easy to forget you aren’t in a little sports car. Best of all, the small turning circle and easy-to-drive character mean the Sportage is as undemanding to live with as a family sedan. And with hill descent control and a locking mode for the AWD system, you can even do a little mud-slinging if you like. This is an SUV, after all.
On board
Drivers take it all in from a nicely-assembled interior with all the standard crossover SUV stuff on board. The tester got iPod and USB hook-ups, two power outlets, a two-pane sunroof, push-button start, and even a heated and chilled power driver’s seat. There’s a Bluetooth phone interface with Bluetooth streaming audio for wireless music playback, and a navigation system, too.
Sportage SX‘s cabin is a modern and upscale one with plenty of depth and an energetic and organized character, even if some of the trim materials aren’t trying to blow anyone’s socks off. In back, the cargo hold offers easy access, an underfloor storage tray and a cover to keep your gear away from prying eyeballs.
Boosted cruising
On the road, ride quality is generally good—though noise levels were above average at speed and on rough surfaces. Other complaints included poor rearward lane-change visibility and limited headroom up front for taller drivers. Blame that gripe on the low roofline.
Overall fuel consumption during my 2,000-kilometre test drive landed at 11.1 L/100 km—a figure that owners can expect to improve further as the engine collects some miles and breaks in. A check back in my notes confirms that real-world consumption figure to be within 1 L/100 km of a 170-horsepower Subaru Forester over a similar test drive. And the Forester didn’t constantly invite your writer’s right foot to the floor like the Sportage did.
End of the day, the turbo Kia Sportage SX is a great-looking, capable and well-equipped little crossover with surprising levels of performance and a fantastic powertrain. Be sure to check one out if you’re after a versatile, sporty family crossover that’s also an efficient closet speed freak.
Pricing for the top-line tester with all the toys came in around $37,000, and the standard Sportage comes in from under $22,000.
Sportage SX’s engine and six-speed automatic work well together for excellent responsiveness, and standing on the rightmost pedal almost instantly summons up a potent surge of forward thrust. The kids will ask you to do it over and over again, and passing and merging power are nearly startling.
Engineers even tweaked the handling to make the Sportage SX sportier with tighter, heavier steering and suspension modifications. Add in positive and precise brake pedal feel and all-wheel drive traction, and it’s easy to forget you aren’t in a little sports car. Best of all, the small turning circle and easy-to-drive character mean the Sportage is as undemanding to live with as a family sedan. And with hill descent control and a locking mode for the AWD system, you can even do a little mud-slinging if you like. This is an SUV, after all.
On board
Drivers take it all in from a nicely-assembled interior with all the standard crossover SUV stuff on board. The tester got iPod and USB hook-ups, two power outlets, a two-pane sunroof, push-button start, and even a heated and chilled power driver’s seat. There’s a Bluetooth phone interface with Bluetooth streaming audio for wireless music playback, and a navigation system, too.
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| Drivers take it all in from a nicely-assembled interior with all the standard crossover SUV stuff on board. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Sportage SX‘s cabin is a modern and upscale one with plenty of depth and an energetic and organized character, even if some of the trim materials aren’t trying to blow anyone’s socks off. In back, the cargo hold offers easy access, an underfloor storage tray and a cover to keep your gear away from prying eyeballs.
Boosted cruising
On the road, ride quality is generally good—though noise levels were above average at speed and on rough surfaces. Other complaints included poor rearward lane-change visibility and limited headroom up front for taller drivers. Blame that gripe on the low roofline.
Overall fuel consumption during my 2,000-kilometre test drive landed at 11.1 L/100 km—a figure that owners can expect to improve further as the engine collects some miles and breaks in. A check back in my notes confirms that real-world consumption figure to be within 1 L/100 km of a 170-horsepower Subaru Forester over a similar test drive. And the Forester didn’t constantly invite your writer’s right foot to the floor like the Sportage did.
End of the day, the turbo Kia Sportage SX is a great-looking, capable and well-equipped little crossover with surprising levels of performance and a fantastic powertrain. Be sure to check one out if you’re after a versatile, sporty family crossover that’s also an efficient closet speed freak.
Pricing for the top-line tester with all the toys came in around $37,000, and the standard Sportage comes in from under $22,000.
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