Redesigned for 2017, the latest Kia Sportage is a sleek and attractive-looking vehicle – that’s what Calgary driver Carol van Besouw thinks after spending a week with the top-of-the-line Sportage SX Turbo.
Van Besouw put the five-passenger compact crossover utility vehicle through its paces in the city and out on the highway. She discovered plenty to like, but also found a few items to quibble about.
“I liked the design of the headlights and the foglights, they were quite unique, I thought,” van Besouw says, and continues, “I liked the fact the mirrors had integrated signal lights and the body mouldings around the wheel arches should prevent paint chips. The rims were huge, and quite nice.
“However, I would think the roof rack would be a downfall because it would be easy to damage that large glass sunroof by dropping something on it that you might be trying to load.”
Interior view of the rear seat area of a 2016 Kia Sportage driven by Carol Van Besouw
Kia’s Sportage has been available in various world markets since 1993, and first appeared in Canada late in 1999. The Sportage wasn’t available here for two years, but returned as a 2005 model year vehicle in its second generation. Third-generation vehicles ran from 2010 to 2016, and Kia just released the fourth-generation Sportage as a 2017 model year CUV.
Available in base LX, middle-of-the-road EX and top-trim SX models, the first two are powered by a 2.4-litre inline-four engine, while the SX features a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. All models use the same six-speed automatic transmission, and Kia’s all-wheel drive system is optional in the EX and LX. The AWD feature is standard in the SX.
“We drove to Drumheller in a powerful storm,” van Besouw says. “It was raining and there was a heavy wind. The Sportage remained stable, and handled well. It wasn’t noisy, and the wipers did a great job of clearing almost the entire windshield.”
Of the three driving modes, Eco, Normal and Sport, van Besouw says, “There was no oomph when driving in the Eco mode, and I spent most of my time in Normal mode.
2016 Kia Sportage
“The transmission shifted very smoothly, and I worked the gears myself on the hills,” van Besouw says of the $41,420 as-tested Scarlet Red Sportage. “The car performed just fine, but I wasn’t that impressed with the fuel economy, and why just a button for the parking brake? That should be a lever so it can be used in case of emergency.”
Van Besouw spent three years as a driving instructor with the Alberta Motor Association, and she and her husband currently own a 2009 Lexus ES 350 and a 2007 Subaru Impreza. They did maintain a 2007 Kia Rondo from new, and their son now owns that vehicle with more than 270,000 kilometres on it.
“I’ve always considered Kias to be cheaper vehicles,” van Besouw admits. But she adds, “After driving this new Sportage, I’d say the company is quickly improving."
The height of the Sportage makes getting into either the driver or passenger seats an easy proposition, van Besouw thinks. Once in the 10-way power adjustable driver’s chair, van Besouw found it easy to position so she could reach the controls and the steering wheel.
“But, when I held the wheel at the proper 9 and 3 o’clock position, my right hand partially hid the speedometer, and I was forced to use the digital readout in the centre of the instrument cluster.”
2016 Kia Sportage
The eight-inch touchscreen in the console includes GPS information and also displays the image from the rear camera. Not affected by bright sunlight, the screen remained clear and easy to see at all times. The dashboard itself was a dull black finish and didn’t reflect in the windshield.
“The interior finishes all felt durable, but the perforated leather on the heated and cooled seats seemed to trap quite a bit of lint,” van Besouw says.
When seated, van Besouw couldn’t see the edge of the hood through the windshield. She likes to know exactly where the vehicle she’s driving begins and ends, but says the front and rear proximity sensors did help. Shoulder checking wasn’t an issue as there were no rearward blind spots, but the A-pillars on either side of the windshield were “thick.”
There was plenty of room for luggage or other gear, and van Besouw says the rear seats will easily fold forward to increase cargo carrying capacity. An adult passenger sitting in the rear seat for a few hours during the trip to Drumheller did not feel worn out upon their return.
2016 Kia Sportage
“Handing back the keys, my parting thoughts were the vehicle was too expensive with too many extras – but that’s just me. Somebody else might like all of the extra systems and redundant controls.
“While I wouldn’t buy one, I could easily recommend it as a family vehicle,” van Besouw concludes. “It’s very stable, and it’s also very comfortable.”
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