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My first Korean. Even as someone who really tries to stay subjective, I know the advantages of “objective” perspectives. And yet, for me, “the Koreans” were always a nation that only got one thing finished in the end in the field of automobile production: Extremely colorless and tasteless assembly-line cars with no deeper sense of design and taste.
Soul from Seoul. At the end of my 14 days in the new KIA Sportage, however, it was clear to me that the Koreans had learned even faster than the Japanese, in the previous twenty years, to meet the tastes of Central Europeans and to manufacture vehicles of impressive quality. And to lean out of the window especially: I think - KIA has already overtaken more than one Japanese manufacturer. My driving report shows why I see it this way:
The rapid recovery of the Koreans using the example of the new KIA Sportage:
A car for the people - the KIA Sportage!
Compact SUV: The class of compact SUVs has become classless and one can no longer say who is behind the wheel of such a part-time dirt road hero. And to underline the classlessness, all manufacturers play along and have their own interpretations of soft-ridden off-roaders in the program.
Diesel and four-wheel drive: KIA has done everything right in the conception of the Sportage and offers 3 different powerful diesel engines. In addition, the engines can be combined with pure front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and also with a modern automatic. The range of performance goes from 115PS up to 184PS and you give the spoiled German car buyer the feeling of choice.
Design for the people: While the Korean models used to be cars without style and face, which were all too quickly lost in the gray mass of the market, KIA can now adorn itself with a design that is universally accepted. The ex-Volkswagen designer Peter Schreyer is responsible for this. And with this man at the design board, the gray mouse KIA became a dangerous global player for the automotive establishment in Europe. At this point I can already admit: I personally like the design line of Peter Schreyer and it is therefore not surprising - if, as a friend of the “clean VW style”, one also likes the new design language of KIA.
But what good is this compact SUV because now? Is design about quality? Are there any persuasive facts left over from the dazzling work? My report on the Koreans should provide information:
[One_half]- Model Name: KIA Sportage Spirit
- Equipment: Spirit
- Test car Price: 31.750€
- Basic price series: 19.950€ (135PS gasoline engine)
- displacement: 1.995 ccm³
- Power: 136 PS
- maximum speed: 181 km/h
- Acceleration: 0-100: 12,1 seconds
To the big KIA Sportage gallery
[One_third]That's what he wants to be:
An athlete among the compact SUVs
[/ One_third] [one_third]He can do that:
Dissolve old prejudices in favor
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He can not do that:
Convince offroad. The Sportage is a supermarket SUV.
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Design exterior: Design for the people
Dynamic, powerful and yet functional in design. This is a design language that you cannot develop yourself very quickly. The handwriting of the ex-VW designer Schreyer can be seen in almost every corner of the neat Sportage. The radiator grille flows smoothly into the styling of the headlights, the side line is characterized by athletically shaped wheel arches. The Sportage shapes its public image with its stocky appearance. He looks nimble and dynamic - the Koreans have done everything right when it comes to styling.
However, points are deducted for the taillights, the design of which only “simulates” high-quality LED technology at night.
Design & feel inside: Best in class
A few years ago we had well-established points of criticism and tried and tested prejudices against the Asian interior culture, the KIA Sportage in the interior can now be seen as the benchmark of the Asian compact SUV movement. A spacious dashboard, free of frills and convincing in technology and workmanship. Is that still a Korean?
There are point deduction for the power window switches that suggest a supposed bridge in the past and the less solid-looking door panels.
Driving performance & driving experience: Everything is easy.
As is typical of the compact SUV class, the KIA fulfills the desire for a slightly raised seating position. The middle of the three diesel engines is a sensible source of power and impresses with its low noise level and smooth running. The gearshift of the Sportage works well and contact with the road is not unnecessarily decoupled. The 136PS strong Sportage feels particularly comfortable on the country road. Swimming in traffic on the motorway is possible without any problems.
everyday factor: Keep it simple
The space in the first row is completely convincing, but in the second row you would like a little more legroom and the rising window line makes you feel cramped. The trunk edge of the Sportage is still at an astonishingly low height for an SUV and, together with the large tailgate, ensures good usability of the trunk. The rear parking beeps help maneuvering - only in front, you either want a better overview - or parking sensors. Unfortunately, these are not available!
Even if the KIA was tested with all-wheel drive - the manageable ground clearance and the tires optimized for asphalt put an early end to the urge to drive off-road. So the traction advantage on wet roads remains as a point-bringing.
Standard equipment: Full House
6 airbags are always on board, including the obligatory driver and front passenger airbags, the side airbags at the level of the front seats and so-called “curtain airbags” for the window areas. Also in series are ABS, ESP and traction control. The hill starting aid and hill starting aid supplied in series are useful for SUVs.
Also included in the Spirit equipment: 18 inch aluminum rims, tinted lettering for the second row, heated seats front and rear, KIA navigation system, bluettooth handsfree, xenon headlights, keyless go with a start button, rain sensor, 2 Zones climate control.
The motor
The classic in current engine construction is also used in the Sportage: a two-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel with direct injection and a particle filter. In the case of the Korean, this engine is offered in two power levels: with 136PS and 184PS. In the 136PS diesel I drove, the well-damped running smoothness and the powerful acceleration up to just under 3.000 revs are particularly positive. In addition, the engine seems rather constricted. I was a little disappointed with the late start of the 373 Nm strong diesel. There is a noticeable pause for thought at the beginning of the rev range. If you don't combine the 136PS diesel with the 4WD system of the Koreans, but instead choose the less demanding 2WD system, you only get 320Nm. Sounds strange - but that's the way it is.
Transmission: 6 gear manual
Anyone who opts for the manual version of the six-speed gearbox will probably be happy about the well-coordinated clutch actuation and less enthusiastic about the too long shift travel. The accuracy could also be worked on a little. On the other hand, the gear ratio is well done. On long stretches of the motorway, a relatively long sixth gear ensures a low speed level and at the same time adequate fuel consumption.
Multimedia & Audio: bull's-eye
I was completely convinced by the 7-Zoll navigation system in the Sportage. Both in the logical user guidance, as well as in the speed for the route calculation and also in the graphical representation. Big Cinema and by far the best I've ever been able to use in a Asian compact SUV!
The sound of the 4 × 50 watt system impressed with its warm and well-emphasized sound. The radio function of the system is also nicely displayed and as you wish, you can control almost all functions both via the touchscreen and via the buttons accurately placed on the sides. Logical - nimble and ingeniously practical. Full marks for this navigation entertainment system.
Lifestyle: What's this?
"Is that a KIA?" During the test period I was often approached by passers-by whether it was “such a KIA” - or in general what kind of brand it was. It seems like my feelings about the current design style of the Koreans aren't completely wrong. The passers-by were consistently positive about the Sportage. And - which is also interesting - across the board, the purchase price of the Sportage was wrongly estimated. Almost € 10.000 difference in favor of the Sportage, which in the majority of cases ensured further good ratings.
“Make one in thick pants” - I basically cannot consider it a positive, but for the Sportage it seems to be a plus point. Some time ago, I myself could not imagine that a Korean would be rated “more valuable” than he is. Full marks in this review because this is the best place to see what “leap” the brand has made!
The cost factor:
About 30.000 Euro for a Korean? And still a bargain.
If you compare the Sportage with Volkswagen Tiguan and BMW X1 to X3 - you can speak of an interesting offer like never before. Because never before has the gap between German premium and Korean offerings been so clearly small.
Thanks to the neat styling, an economical diesel engine and a good new car calculation, the KIA Sportage is clearly a “bargain” in the program.
Points are only deducted here for the typically Asian lack of creativity in the surcharge list. If you want xenon light, you have to choose at least the “VISION” equipment and then choose a package consisting of xenon light, a fully-fledged spare wheel (!!), automatically dimming interior mirror, light sensor and partially heated windscreen. The package costs an extremely inexpensive € 670 - but, as I said, is only available from the VISION version and thus the surcharge adds up to € 2.930
Briefly mentioned:
[One_fourth]Concept:
Without exception, all manufacturers are successfully swimming on the wave of “compact SUVs”. A type of vehicle that, in principle, cannot do anything better than a sensible family station wagon, but has less off-road talent than a real off-road vehicle. These vehicles are not really useful. Successful for it all the more. With the Sportage, KIA is likely to become the most successful Asian in this paradoxical segment!
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Consumption:
If you move the Sportage with appropriate calm and primarily over land, consumption values of around 6 liters can be achieved. Unfortunately, KIA does not have an automatic start-stop system that reduces consumption in city traffic. Those who like to drive long distances with the Sportage and then also request the full performance potential of the 136PS diesel - easily stay below 10 liters. What I call economical!
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haptics:
No - even if the KIA is successfully poaching in the design field of the Volkswagen family, this Sportage has not yet reached the level of Audi or Volkswagen either. But and at this point the alarm bells have to ring in JAPAN, no Asian person before has caught up with the self-defined premium quality with such big steps and with such a convincing performance!
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Warranty:
“7 is more than 2”. 7 year manufacturer guarantee (or 150.000 km). That's a real pound when buying a new car - especially when looking for a new car privately. German automobile manufacturers are embarrassing themselves here to the bone, sometimes only granting a “2 year statutory warranty”. 7 year guarantee, in addition to the solid performance in the test and the attractive price - a real argument, “pro KIA”!
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And finally ...
"Once Upon a time…“This is not only how all fairy tales begin, but in the future I will also have to talk about my prejudices against Koreans. (yes, I have this formulation already at DS4 uses 🙂 - but it also applies here!)
The Koreans are doing everything right right now. Attractive vehicles with a design that fully meets the taste of continental Europeans. Incidentally, the Sportage is also being built in Europe (Slovakia). Design and workmanship are one thing, the driving experience is another - but here, too, KIA takes great care not to show any nakedness. And indeed - the Sportage also gives a feeling of special value in everyday life. Nothing about him looks cheap. And the long manufacturer guarantee of 7 years demonstrates that you stand behind your own product.
The Kia Sportage is an extremely well-made vehicle and that says the overall score:
My personal opinion:
There is no room for discussion: The points result in an overall ranking and are comparable across all vehicle classes - as they are directly and objectively based on the model class and target group. The more points, the better the vehicle. A sports car cannot achieve 100% because the everyday benefits are low. A family van may fail in the “straight performance”. The ranking is of course completely subjective - it is that my-car-blog Ranking. Bjoern Habegger
Text / photos: Bjoern Habegger | autohub.de | 2012