Kia Sportage Review

Kia Sportage Review

The new generation Kia Sportage was released in the UK in January 2005.

There was a previous model entitled the Sportage which was launched back in 1995 and lived on until 2003, selling around 11,500 models. It was not particularly good and is probably best forgotten as the new model is a totally different animal.

The line up starts with a 140bhp, 2.0-litre petrol engine and goes through to a V6 173bhp 2.7-litre petrol engine with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. For the fuel conscious buyer there is a 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel model. Prices start at £15,295 for the 2.0 litre petrol XE and rise to £19,295 for the 2.7 V6 XS, there are two trims levels: XE and XS. The main difference between the two trims is that the XS gets leather trim, heated front seats, climate control, cruise control, privacy glass, electric sunroof and 6 instead of 4 speakers, for around £ 1,700 more.

We last drove the Kia Sportage on holiday in Ireland in August 2005, covering around 2,000 miles we were left suitably impressed. Having driven the Sportage V6 2.7 litre XS, we thought it might be prudent if we looked at the 2.0 CRDi XS, this time with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The 1991cc (2.0-litre) diesel engine, is a four cylinder, 16-valve common-rail diesel engine, producing 138bhp @ 4000 rpm. Kia quotes a combined consumption figure of 39.8 mpg compared to the 2.0 litre petrol 34.4 mpg. Using my rough calculations, working on 15,000 miles per annum and on today’s fuel prices that would mean a financial saving of around £290 per year. The diesel model costs an extra £1,200 over the equivalent petrol model, so you would be looking at around 4 years to see a return. The other thing to consider is future residual value, a diesel Sportage will be worth more and easier to sell than a petrol model.

Kia Sportage