Test: Kia Sportage - With the plus in power

The Korean group siblings Kia and Hyundai have blossomed in a very short time from mainstream manufacturers to a kind of electric avant-garde. In addition to pure electric vehicles such as Hyundai Ioniq or Kia Soul, they have a whole range of different hybrid concepts on offer. The latest variant has recently been found in the compact SUV Kia Sportage: a mild hybrid based on 48-Volt technology.

The idea behind the 48-Volt approach: In addition to the conventional 12-Volt network, a second, higher-voltage on-board network is pulled in, making the use of a more powerful starter generator possible. The Sportage comes on 12 kW / 16 horsepower and is thus even as an additional source of power: At least for a short time, he can support the initially only combinable engine, a 136 kW / 185 PS strong 2,0-liter diesel, while accelerating the one or the other sip of fuel saves. The generator itself produces the required electrical energy via the braking force recovery. Here, too, the power is significantly higher than with conventional recuperation systems thanks to the fourfold operating voltage. The bottom line is for the mild hybrid, a standard consumption of 5,2 liter at best (for the four-wheel model with manual transmission). For a car of this size a good value. But does the fuel-saving technology also work in practice?

So much anticipation: for the most part yes. Especially in city traffic with its many stop-and-go passages, the Sportage plays its technique. Where much braking is possible, just a lot of braking power can be recovered. Under favorable conditions can be quite a five before the decimal reach. Also, the start-stop system, which shuts off the engine when rolling out at the traffic light, should be good in this context for a few milliliters savings. However, the automatic often throws the engine a bit too suddenly and powerful again, which brings the bumper of the front man uncomfortable.

On the other hand, the power development of the electrically assisted drive is convincing. An Anfahrschwäche is at least not felt in the driven automatic variant. In general, the diesel can often be almost undercurrent on the road, because it is quickly brought by the electric motor from the speed cell, as soon as an intermediate sprint is pending. The electric boost fits harmoniously and almost imperceptibly into the passage of the internal combustion engine - pushing rather gently than powerfully pushing. This is also enjoyable on the highway, where the Kia gives the sovereign, unruffled touring. The fuel consumption is moving towards the 7-liter mark, which is good in view of the size of the vehicle, but no longer outstanding. Above all, beyond the topping-out speed, the effect of 48-Volt support vanishes, and the SUV begins with forced swallowing. This, however, is not an exclusive problem of the Kia.

The 48-Volt system and the big diesel were introduced at the Sportage in the course of the summer lift 2018. Here, the Koreans donated their most important model in Germany, a slight upgrade in the interior, which now has a trace of solid and valuable by additional metal applications. The revision was completed by a slightly modified front optics with optional LED headlamps and some new driver assistance systems, including a well-functioning all-round camera. However, the core character of the Tiguan competitors has not changed: The Kia Sportage remains a visually extremely dynamic, tend to be rather taut crossover with plenty of space, good seats and pleasant ambience, which is quite fair given the equipment and the seven-year warranty gives. A real cheap model is the Sportage but no longer long: the driven variant costs at least 40.490 Euro. In the future, however, even more, not so strong and expensive basic engines should benefit from 48 volt hybridization.

Holger Holzer / SP-X