Since it was launched, the Kia Sportage has been one of those machines with a built-in connection to the average Canadian shopper. Typical vehicle-buying Canucks are concerned with things like ruggedness, flexibility and a good overall deal — and Sportage has been delivering on these fronts for its last two terms of duty.
Existing Sportage owners often say an attraction to an affordable, family-ready and Canada-proof vehicle got them into their nearest Kia dealer, and that a great warranty and high-utility bang-for-the-buck sealed the deal. Now entering its third generation, the 2011 Sportage is shipping with even more of the sensible, adventurous wholesome stuff that made the initial release a hit.
The average Canadian tends to be southerly minded when it comes to planning a trip away, but Kia went the opposite direction in previewing their latest Sportage for selected automotive journalists. Rather than some exotic locale, the pre-launch road trip took writers from Whitehorse to Skagway, Alaska and back. This end of the country boasts some of the most untouched scenery and freshest air on the planet — and it proved a worthy stage for a machine designed to tackle almost any driving conditions our continent’s craggy north might throw its way.
The engineering and hardware behind that goal is wrapped in a globally styled, Korean-built body that combines numerous influences into a fresh and dynamic package. It’s like fusion cooking, but with sheet metal and plastic instead of meat and spices. A similar cross-cultural combining is, in many regards, part of the Canadian identity.
Kia’s building an identity, too, and they called upon Peter Schreyer, formerly of VW/Audi, to head up the design work that would help pull it off. For the new Sportage, Schreyer solicited ideas from his various worldwide design teams, selecting and implementing the best ones for use in the final product.
Among the 2011 Kia Sportage’s value points are its smooth ride and handling, according to automotive journalists who took the vehicle for a test drive in Alaska recently. Photo by Justin Pritchard
The resulting mix should help the new Sportage stand out with a unique, athletic and prominent look that’s more aggressive and less cartoony than the former. Don’t miss the glaring chrome-clad fascia, Euro-esque bumper-mounted turn signals, and the unique intersection line between the windshield and roof, either. LED-running lamps are coming soon, too.
Much like the scenery in which this first-drive story took place, photos alone don’t tell the whole story. In all, thanks to Kia’s “value through styling” ideology, the new Sportage’s looks hit harder than its pricing might suggest.
The interior does a similar trick, though perhaps not to such an impressive degree. Sportage’s cabin gets a depthy and upscale look, adult-friendly rear seats, and a healthy, easily-accessible cargo hold at the rear. It’s assembled as nicely as any of the Japanese competition, too, though trim materials won’t be blowing any socks off, and a little more color contrast would go a long way to brighten up the dark scenery.
If you like free goodies, the Bluetooth interface, wheel-mounted audio controls, iPod connector and driver computer fitted to all models should adequately compensate.
Good deal on safety equipment, too. Aside from the segment-standard airbags and ABS, Sportage offers advanced rollover protection systems and an advanced, intelligent Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system across the lineup. Bigger, beefier brakes have been fitted, as have active head restraints. Add in the Canadian-designed all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, and no matter what Mother Nature is dishing out, you and yours can roll in cool, protected comfort.
While doing so, you’ll take in another of the Sportage’s value points — its ride and handling. Even on undulating or poorly maintained highways, your writer found the suspension delivered a near-perfect blend of drama-free tautness and planted comfort. Its slightly more comfortable, slightly more sporty, and solid throughout. Not too floaty and not too harsh, but just right if you’re into something a little on the fun-to-drive side.
Brakes and steering are delightfully responsive and sporty, and opting for the six-speed manual gets drivers a light and easy-rowing shifter and clutch combo. Only front-drive models come with the stick, so there’s no six-speed, AWD combination possible.
Performance and refinement from the Sportage’s standard 176-horsepower, 2.4 litre “Theta II” engine should prove adequate if not electrifying enough for most, and test-drivers after more jam can wait for the turbocharged Sportage SX to hit the road early next year. Expect output in the 260 horsepower ballpark, which should step things up another notch or three.
Your writer’s initial complaints after some 800 kilometres at the wheel were minor, and limited mainly to a slow-to-respond manual shift mode and some additional wind noise intrusion in models with the dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
All said, given the Sportage’s competitive pricing, it hits hard where style, utility and, perhaps surprisingly, sportiness are concerned. Pricing starts at $21,995 for a front-drive, six-speed model, and tops out around $35,000 with navigation, AWD and a luxury package. The 2011 Sportage is landing on dealer lots now.
Justin Pritchard is an automotive journalist and consultant who resides in Sudbury.
