The Sportage is Kia's entry into the hotly contested compact crossover market. It comes with front- or all-wheel drive, seats up to five passengers and is available only as a four-door wagon. Sportage competes with vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Sportage comes in LX, EX and SX trim. The LX starts at $22,150, the EX lists for 25,350 and the SX has a starting MSRP of $29,990. Powering the LX and EX is a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. SX models get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four that makes 260 horsepower. Both engines pair with a 6-speed automatic. Across the board, front-drive is standard, with all all-wheel-drive being optional. Maximum towing capacity is 2000 pounds.
LX standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input jack and a USB port.
The EX adds 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, six-way power driver seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and Kia's Uvo telematics system. Sporty SX adds turbocharged engine, a unique front grille, LED daytime running lights and taillights, dual exhaust outlets, a panoramic sunroof and aluminum scuff plates.
Limited options are available on the LX and EX include rear spoiler, roof rails, heated outside mirrors, panoramic sunroof, fog lights UVO infotainment system, upgraded audio system and navigation system. No options are available on the SX. The Sportage is assembled in Korea and has an $895 destination charge.
Dynamically, the Kia Sportage boasts a fun-to-drive, sporty character. It's more firmly sprung than most competitors and that results in more responsive handling and road feel. On the downside, there's also more impact harshness from potholes and highway expansion joints. The steering has a meaty feel and tracks straight and true on the highway. The brakes have ample stopping power, even with a full passenger load. Wind, road and engine noise are well managed.
The base engine provides adequate acceleration and good fuel economy. However, the turbocharged engine in the SX has considerably more power off the line and passing punch. In addition, it's smoother and suffers only slightly in EPA ratings. The 6-speed automatic shifts smoothly for the most part, but can be abrupt when downshifting in passing situations.
EPA numbers for the SX AWD are 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. Those are near the bottom for the class. Real-world driving bears out the EPA numbers with routine suburban commuting returning a disappointing 22 mpg overall and a highway net of just 25 mpg.
Inside the Sportage feels somewhat cramped and claustrophobic when compared to many competitors. Front-seat head and leg room are actually quite good but the narrow windows do hamper visibility to the sides and rear. In addition, there's no blind-spot safety system. Although two full-size adults will fit, rear-seat room is short of both head and leg room.
Materials seem to be a cut above the class norm and fit-and-finish is excellent. Gauges are easy to read - day or night - and the center stack neatly arranges the radio, climate and navigation controls for easy access. Speaking of navigation, Kia's UVO infotainment system is amongst the easiest to use and provides a wealth of information and easy access to the user-friendly Android Auto system.
Cargo space comes up short when compared to CR-V or RAV4 but most will find it's more than adequate for a weekend's worth of stuff, plus there's a handy under-floor storage bin for small items. Cabin storage is good, with lots of covered and open bins throughout.
The Sportage is slightly smaller than most of its competition, plus its aggressive styling and low roofline mean cargo space takes a hit. Positives include its sporty demeanor, top-notch interior and powerful optional engine. Prices, might seem high, but are actually slightly below the class average and Sportage comes very well equipped - even in base LX trim. The segment is very competitive, so be sure to shop around for the best deal on the compact crossover that best meets your needs.
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