Kia Sportage Platinum AWD Quick Review

TELL ME ABOUT THIS CAR

As one of the most enjoyable compact SUVs on the market, the Kia Sportage comes with plenty of room, a decent amount of grunt from the diesel engine and unique styling. Add to that Kia’s seven year warranty and you’ve got yourself one classy option.

STRENGTHS

• The diesel engine in the Kia Sportage Platinum is not only fuel efficient (6.8L/100km) but it also offers plenty of power.
• It’s great to drive. The cabin is quiet and the diesel engine offers enough power to outweigh the standard diesel lag. It’s also easy to steer, helped further by the Drive Mode Select system which lets you adjust the weight of the steering.
• Being an SUV, you’d hope for plenty of room in the Sportage and luckily it delivers. There’s ample room in the rear seats, generous headroom, and support in the rear seats which also offer comfort. The rear cargo area holds an adequate 466L (or 1455L with rear-seats down).
• We’re putting looks in the Sportage’s strengths, but its unique design is one you’ll either love or hate.

WEAKNESSES

• As a sign of the times, the Sportage has no CD player. But, who uses a CD player these days anyway?
• As you move up the range of the Sportage, the wheel sizes increase which is good for looks but leads to rougher drives at low speeds.
• All colours beyond the standard Clear White come at an added cost of $500.
• The petrol engines could use with a dose of power, especially the 2.0-litre which will leave you wishing for more muscle.

ANY RIVALS I SHOULD CONSIDER?

Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5.