KIA Sportage Review Australia | Features, Specification, Price

• Car Reviews,
• Aug 26, 2020

The Kia Sportage is arguably one of the most popular modern cars in many parts of the World, including the UK and Australia. Being a bestseller, it should not come as a surprise the amount of work Kia has out into their recent vehicle. Recent changes include new bumpers, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and new fog lights.

 

There have been some interior tweaks as well. Even though not many. The build quality is great, even though not as impressive as some competitors. The Kia Sportage GT line gets black leather with red accents. But more on that line ahead. The overall feel of the interior is pleasing.

 

The petrol engine remains the same in the new Sportage. There are differences in the Kia Sportage diesel range, which includes a hybrid version as well. For some people, the idea of a diesel engine may be a novel one. But let us dive deeper into the new Kia Sportage review to find out more.

 

The Kia Sportage is not exactly an SUV. It will be more apt to call it a compact SUV or a compact crossover SUV. The vehicle has been in production since 1993, built by the South Korean manufacturer Kia Motors.

The latest generation of the Kia Sportage was unveiled in 2015, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was brought to the Australian market in 2016 and quickly gained popularity here. The exterior is one of the major attracting points, winning the 2016 Red Dot award for Car Design. According to Kia Motors, the sharp edges and the smooth surfaces were inspired by fighter jets.

 

Engine Specifications:

Starting with the Kia Sportage GT Line, which is powered by a large and powerful petrol engine. It is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. Capable of producing 135 kW of power at 6000 rpm and a peak torque of 237 Nm. The power is sent to all four wheels using a six-speed automatic transmission.

 

The previous 1.7-liter diesel engine has been dropped, which has been a great step from the company. That engine had all the refinement of a motorboat. Instead, a new 1.6-liter CRDi engine is provided, which is capable of producing 134 bhp of power. You can go for the standard front-wheel drive or the four-wheel drive.

 

Another diesel variant is the 2.0-liter which includes a semi hybrid 48V system. There is no electric motor to give extra power. Instead, there is a starter motor that helps in overcoming the inertia, helping the engine along.

 

Driving Experience:

Being top of the line petrol engine, the 2.4-liter never feels particularly quick. Force is best depicted as satisfactory and the motor has a rough note at low speeds. It quietens down at higher rates, at any rate until you jump on the expressway. There, wind commotion around the mirrors gets pervasive.

 

While it sounds to some degree like a hurricane, interstate driving is a breeze in the Kia Sportage GT line on account of its path keeping help and versatile voyage control.

 

The lane-keeping assists help is near on unflappable, safely keeping your vehicle in its path. It is unobtrusive as well. The framework delicately fixes the directing and never unceremoniously yanking it.

 

It is the ideal component for somebody who experienced difficulty shading between the lines as a child. All things considered; you presumably should not be driving in the event that you cannot remain inside a path. However, the framework works superbly doing a portion of your activity.

 

In the event that you choose to take more control and wind up veering into another path, the GT-Line tolls with a perceptible alarm. In spite of the fact that it is not really the most open, the electrically helped, speed-touchy steering wheel in the GT-Line has a decent weight to it.

 

Unexpectedly, the solitary clear switch on the Sportage's dashboard – situated between the driver and front-seat warming and ventilation controls – is for the warmed guiding wheel alternative not accessible here.

 

Most opponents – even the related Hyundai Tucson – have moved onto seven, eight, and even nine-speed automatic transmissions. There is nothing naturally amiss with the GT-Line's six-speed auto, be that as it may, as it is a smooth-moving unit.

 

Features:

In the top-line GT line, the Kia Sportage is just brimming with features. The most notable is a sunroof and ventilated front seats. These are commodities that were once reserved for only the most luxurious vehicles. Not anymore!

 

Some additional features include a smart power tailgate, wireless charging, autonomous parking, and adaptive cruise control. Even the most basic trims come equipped with an eight-speaker JBL sound system which is sure to rock your car. Also included are an 8-inch touch screen, infotainment system, and a 4.2-inch color screen acting as an instrument cluster.

 

You also get a smart key entry and a push-to-start button, rain-sensing wipers. Let us not skip on the alloy wheels, sports steering wheel, and the leather interior. And if all this is not enough, you can go for the Kia Sportage GT Line with an all-black interior.

 

Safety Features:

Kia Sportage has received a five-star rating from ANCAP, their maximum.

 

Standard safety features include:

✓ Autonomous emergency brakes

✓ Forward collision alert

✓ Reverse camera

✓ Parking sensors

✓ Lane keeping assist

✓ Automatic high-beam headlights

✓ Blind spot monitoring

✓ Rear cross-traffic alert

 

Price:

The price for the Kia Sportage GT Line starts from AUD 44,790. At this price, you get all the features and technology mentioned above. The price is, however, excluding the on-road costs.

 

Final Verdict:

The Kia Sportage is a great car, but it still is not ready to take on some of the competitors. Take the Nissan Qashqai for instance. That being said, the Sportage was never a class leader to start with. And the facelift model does not change much.

 

The diesel engine variants are a different story. They compete well with the rivals, with an engine that is refined and delivers well. There is little to no noise inside the cabin, speaking of which, the cabin is spacious and comfortable.

 

Now, to make the decision easier, you can get all the information about your required vehicle from our online portal. Enter the details and we will deliver the original, verified information of the accidents, thefts along with driving history. Click here!