Sport, sporty, Sportage

Introduced in 1993, the Kia Sportage’s initial design left much to be desired, but things changed in 2011 when it picked up its first-ever Red Dot award and an iF Design Award as well, and then to show that it was no fluke, followed it up with another Red Dot for the fourth-generation model (the current one) in 2016.

But as good as it looks, the Sportage isn’t just eye-candy. It ranked first in the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study in 2016, was Top Safety Pick of the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, achieved maximum Euro NCAP safety rating in 2016, has picked up an award for its towing capability, and was the first-ever model to complete both the 1993 Paris-Dakar rally and the 1995 Baja 1000.

All of the above speaks volumes for this compact SUV that started off borrowing components from Mazda before Kia merged with Hyundai in 1998 and the latter helped put together the second-generation model using Tucson parts.

Kia Philippines offers the Sportage with two engine options locally in three trims, one naturally aspirated gas version and two turbodiesel trims.

Which one is for you? Read on to find out.

The Sportage lineup begins with the base model LX AT (automatic transmission) Gas, followed by the LX AT Diesel, and then the top trim GT-Line AT Diesel.

Both LX models are lower than the GT Line as it does not have the silver roll rails. Exact dimensions are 4,480mm in length, 1,855mm in width, 1,645mm in height (1,655mm for the GT Line), and with a wheel base of 2,670 mm.

Ground clearance is modest at 172mm but it has a very good turning radius of 5.3 meters.

The LX AT Gas is lighter at 1,452 kilograms while both the diesel trims tip the scales at 1,593 kilograms.

Under the hood of the LX AT Gas is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with D-CVVT (Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing) that improves engine performance by reducing pumping loss, internal EGR effect improvement of combustion stability, improvement of volumetric efficiency, and increase of expansion work. Output of 155hp and 192Nm of torque is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed AT.

The two other trims get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder CRDi (common rail direct injection) E-VGT (electronic variable geometry turbo) diesel engine that optimizes combustion by raising the turbine’s power at all engine speeds through the precise control of exhaust flow. Models powered by these diesel engines have 20 to 30% higher fuel economy and around 20% lower CO2 emissions than its gasoline counterparts. Output of 185hp and 400Nm of torque is sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed AT with Shiftronic (allows the driver to override the automatic transmission and manually shift gears to gain more control over the car's performance).

On the chassis is a MacPherson strut and stabilizer front suspension, and a multi-link rear suspension. It comes with four-wheel disc brakes and 225/60 R17 tires on 17-inch alloy wheels for the LX trims and 245/45 R19 tires on 19-inch alloy wheels for the GT-Line trim.

The only standard exterior feature across all models is the rear spoiler with an integrated LED (light-emitting diode) high-mount stop lamp.

LX trims get projection-type headlamps, position lamps, body color electronically adjustable exterior rearview mirrors, turn signals built into the fender, a pole antenna, intermittent wipers, a black radiator grille, body color outside door handles, and a rear window defogger.

Exclusive to the GT Line are LED (light-emitting diode) headlamps with auto-levelling feature, LED DRLs (daytime running lamps), LED position lamps, LED front fog lamps, GT Line front and rear bumpers, electronically adjustable exterior rearview heated mirrors, a fin-type antenna, rain-sensing wipers, a glossy black grille, body color door handles with chrome trim, automatic rear window defogger, and LED rear combination lamps.

Both diesel trims share an automatic light control feature.

The instrument panel is the same across all trims. It has a speedometer, tachometer, rheostat, and a 3.5-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display) multi-function display.

Standard cabin features include a sunglass case, an overhead console lamp, a room lamp in the second row, a tilt and telescopic steering column, audio + Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel, a foot-operated parking brake, an illuminated glove box, a console box, power outlets on the front and rear console, cupholders in the front and rear armrest, seat back pockets (driver and passenger), front and rear armrests, power windows and locks, 60:40 split-folding second-row seats, and the luggage area can accommodate 491 liters worth of cargo.

LX interior amenities are plain vanity mirrors with ticket holders on the visor, day and night rearview mirror, metallic dashboard trim, metal painted door handles, a three-spoke polyurethane steering wheel, a polyurethane gear shift knob, basic key fob, plastic cuff plates, rear vents, and manually adjustable driver’s and passenger’s seat.

The GT Line cabin gets all of that but upgraded. It comes with an electro chromatic interior rearview mirror, a three-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and audio + Bluetooth controls, leather gear shift knob, a Smart Entry system (unlock the doors by clicking a notch on the door handle as long as the keyfob is in your pocket or bag), illuminated Push-Start button, and scuff plates with an aluminum finish.

Both diesel units get the 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, a CD and MP3 player, USB and Aux-in ports, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The gas trim only has a smaller screen with the same features except for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. All trims have four speakers and two tweeters.

Standard safety features of the LX trims are driver airbag, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), and anti-theft system with immobilizer, two three-point ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with dual pretensioners, three three-point ELR with pretensioner in the second row, Isofix child anchors, and a child lock system.

Both diesel trims share a rear camera display with parking guides. But the GT Line exclusively gets cruise control, front and rear sensors, side and curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Downhill Brake Control, and Hill Start Assist.

The Sportage body comes in Clear White, Sparking Silver, Cherry Black, Fiery Red, and Mercury Blue.

Price of the Kia Sportage 2.0 Gas LX AT is P1.290 million while the Kia Sportage 2.0 Gas Diesel LX AT goes for P1.545 million.                

Pick up the Kia Sportage 2.0 Gas Diesel GT Line AT and get ready to shell out P1.820 million.

Photos from Kia