Spotlight on the Sportage; Has Kia got the crossover nailed?
Crossovers are big business, with the class dominating the new car market. Pick a suburban street at random and you’ll find that it’s crossovers and SUVs that take pride of place on the driveway these days, not hatchbacks and estates. It’s become the default family car of choice.
If you’re considering a crossover as your next vehicle, you really are spoilt for choice. Nissan has the Qashqai, Hyundai the Tucson, Ford the Kuga, Renault the Kadjar and now Seat the Ateca. However, when it comes to leasing it’s the Kia Sportage that’s roared its way to the top of the crossover-pops. So, why are people choosing the Sportage in particular?
It’s the most popular Kia ever to come to these shores, so to find out what all the fuss is about, we’ve had an in-depth look at it to see why it’s caused a stir…
The looks
Now in its fourth generation, these days the Sportage is every bit as stylish as any European and Japanese offerings and, while some claim the looks are divisive, its frog-eye, raised headlights make it stand out in an increasingly crammed sector of the market.
Full review: Check out what we thought when we got behind the wheel of the Sportage
Park one next to a Qashqai or Tucson and it’s clear the Sportage benefits from the more interesting design. As the popularity of the Citroen C4 Cactus and Nissan Juke attests, maybe it is better to stand out from the crowd? Besides, lots of people are choosing a crossover instead of hatchbacks and estates for this very reason. So, the Sportage gets top marks when it comes to looks.
The comfort and practicality
The interiors of previous Sportages were dominated by cheap and flimsy plastics, but you’ll find the dashboard is now awash with quality, soft-touch materials. Even basic models come with a touchscreen infotainment system, while the five seats provide more than enough room for five adults to sit comfortably.
Its predecessor was somewhat let down with a lumpy ride and body roll too, but the latest model addresses these concerns. It soaks up the majority of pot holes with ease, while the lack of body roll around bends gives you the feeling that you’re in a much nimbler car than the Sportage’s size suggests.
The engines
It gets the same tried-and-trusted engines that appear in the Hyundai Tucson line-up – a very similar crossover to the Sportage – mechanically at least. There’s an entry-level 1.2-litre petrol and two 1.6-litre variants, but their superior efficiency mean the three diesel units will be what most people choose.
The 1.7-litre diesel produces 114bhp – enough to get the Sportage to 62mph from rest in 11.1 seconds, while you can expect an average of 61.4mpg. A 2.0-litre diesel is also available with 135bhp or, if you want enough torque to happily tow a caravan, the 183bhp version may be a better bet. Both offer around 50mpg, sit in an inexpensive tax-band and more power than you’re likely to need out of a family SUV.
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We appreciate that the most taxing terrain most Sportages will come across is a leafy lane, but it is available in four-wheel-drive guise should you want it. It can be specified with the 2.0-litre diesel models and the range-topping variant – the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The value
So, when it comes to the important stuff, the Sportage has its feet firmly on the ground. Even so, you may be wondering why we’ve picked the Kia over the its similarly sized rivals? They’re all well equipped, have similar list prices and seem to achieve consistently good reviews.
Over the last six months however, we’ve seen a huge jump in Sportage enquiries. Back in January, the Kia was ContractHireAndLeasing’s 13th most popular vehicle, but June’s stats show it’s revved itself all the way to second place – only beaten by the mighty Mercedes C-Class.
Handsome looks, generous standard specifications and supremely practical, its popularity shouldn’t be a surprise. However, the tempting affordability of leasing deals has really sealed the deal.
Kia celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary in the UK market this year, and it has seen record sales over the last 12 months. With 56,000 new Kias registered this year alone, it’s no doubt the Sportage that’s spearheading this growth.
Have a peruse at the UK’s best Kia Sportage lease deals: business / personal