With the deluge of compact Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in the market, it's getting increasingly difficult to tell one from the other.
Intense competition between manufacturers means that each brand is constantly trying to out-do each other in terms of what they can pack into their cars, while still remaining price competitive. Hence, you get phrases like 'best-in-class' and 'first-in-class' plastered all over marketing brochures as manufacturers try to keep themselves ahead of the pack.
Into the ring steps the new fourth generation Kia Sportage, all set and ready to rumble.
Exterior
The new Sportage is bigger than before - overall length is up 40mm to 4,480mm and it's 20mm taller than before, while its width remains the same.
Looks wise, it's a tale of two halves. We are not too keen on the front end of the car - it strikes us as too bulbous, especially in the way the head lights are stretched out and seperated from the wide grille.
Intense competition between manufacturers means that each brand is constantly trying to out-do each other in terms of what they can pack into their cars, while still remaining price competitive. Hence, you get phrases like 'best-in-class' and 'first-in-class' plastered all over marketing brochures as manufacturers try to keep themselves ahead of the pack.
Into the ring steps the new fourth generation Kia Sportage, all set and ready to rumble.
Exterior
The new Sportage is bigger than before - overall length is up 40mm to 4,480mm and it's 20mm taller than before, while its width remains the same.
Looks wise, it's a tale of two halves. We are not too keen on the front end of the car - it strikes us as too bulbous, especially in the way the head lights are stretched out and seperated from the wide grille.
However, things are noticeably better from the B-pillar onwards. The car has a distinctly European feel to it, and reminds us of the Audi Q7.
This isn't surprising, as the Sportage is the latest in the run of Kia models designed by Peter Schreyer, who was formally at Audi. The clearly defined lines and horizontal details, such as the slim combination tail lamps joined together by a chrome strip running between them, help to emphasise the car's width.
It's a car that definitely looks better from the back than from the front. That said, no matter which way you are looking at it, it certainly cuts an imposing figure on the road.
This isn't surprising, as the Sportage is the latest in the run of Kia models designed by Peter Schreyer, who was formally at Audi. The clearly defined lines and horizontal details, such as the slim combination tail lamps joined together by a chrome strip running between them, help to emphasise the car's width.
It's a car that definitely looks better from the back than from the front. That said, no matter which way you are looking at it, it certainly cuts an imposing figure on the road.
Interior
The Sportage's enlarged dimensions mean that there is more interior space than before, making for a spacious and airy cabin.
The one-tone interior also ranks high on comfort and refinement. The seats are soft and comfortable, and the materials throughout the cabin feel premium to the touch. The centre console is also tilted at a 7.2-degree angle towards the driver, putting all the buttons within easy reach.
The Sportage also comes standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Unforunately, our test car didn't have the multimedia system fitted yet.
The Sportage's enlarged dimensions mean that there is more interior space than before, making for a spacious and airy cabin.
The one-tone interior also ranks high on comfort and refinement. The seats are soft and comfortable, and the materials throughout the cabin feel premium to the touch. The centre console is also tilted at a 7.2-degree angle towards the driver, putting all the buttons within easy reach.
The Sportage also comes standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Unforunately, our test car didn't have the multimedia system fitted yet.
The extra 30mm in wheelbase is felt most notably in the rear, with ample headroom and legroom for your passengers. A USB and 12V port in the rear lets your passengers keep their electronics charged.
Many improvements have also been made to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Extra dashboard insulation, new acoustic shields fitted to the engine and more sound-absorbent materials throughout the wheel arches are a few in a long list of engineering improvements for greater cabin refinement. Road noise is made barely perceptible, and when driven lightly, engine noise is quiet and unintrusive.
The Sportage also has more boot space, clocking in at 503 litres (up from 465 litres). A wider luggage area, as well as a lowered load lip, mean that it is easier to get all your barang barang into the boot.
Many improvements have also been made to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Extra dashboard insulation, new acoustic shields fitted to the engine and more sound-absorbent materials throughout the wheel arches are a few in a long list of engineering improvements for greater cabin refinement. Road noise is made barely perceptible, and when driven lightly, engine noise is quiet and unintrusive.
The Sportage also has more boot space, clocking in at 503 litres (up from 465 litres). A wider luggage area, as well as a lowered load lip, mean that it is easier to get all your barang barang into the boot.
The Drive
The most notable thing about driving the Kia Sportage is how easy and comfortable it is. Steering is light and belies the car's size, making it easy to manoeuvre on the road.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre engine producing 153bhp and 192Nm of torque, mated to a smooth, six-speed automatic transmission - not sprightly, but sufficient for our roads.
A range of modifications have been made to the suspension to improve the ride quality and improve handling agility, and it is definitely noticeable. The suspension does a wonderful job of soaking up bumps in the road, making for a really comfortable and forgiving drive.
Take the Sportage through some bendy roads and the car feels measured and planted. Credit goes to the use of Advanced High Strength Steel for 51 percent of the body, which improves the car's torsional rigidity. However, steering feedback is lacking, and there is the inevitable bit of bodyroll.
The truth is that the Sportage drives with little drama, and that is a good thing. We reckon drivers buying a compact SUV such as this one probably want something comfortable and simple to drive, easy to navigate through carparks, and as fuss-free on the roads as possible.
The Sportage manages to tick all of these boxes, demonstrating a level of composure that you would normally associate with something that wears a more premium badge.
Conclusion
As a car on its own, you could argue that the new Kia Sportage isn't particularly remarkable. Its step forward is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, bringing with it the expected improvements.
However, once you take into account its $125,999 pricetag (as of 13th July 2016), it becomes a real value proposition. For that amount, you are certainly getting a lot of car - the level of interior and safety equipment is high, all packaged in a refined, premium and stylishly designed body.
And we suspect that at the end of the day, for drivers buying cars in the compact SUV segment, price and value will be a deciding factor. And it is in this respect that the new Kia Sportage is poised to beat out its rivals and really stand out.
Conclusion
As a car on its own, you could argue that the new Kia Sportage isn't particularly remarkable. Its step forward is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, bringing with it the expected improvements.
However, once you take into account its $125,999 pricetag (as of 13th July 2016), it becomes a real value proposition. For that amount, you are certainly getting a lot of car - the level of interior and safety equipment is high, all packaged in a refined, premium and stylishly designed body.
And we suspect that at the end of the day, for drivers buying cars in the compact SUV segment, price and value will be a deciding factor. And it is in this respect that the new Kia Sportage is poised to beat out its rivals and really stand out.
