This is
a story about two Kia Sportages.
They are the same but different, and they reflect how SUV preferences are
rapidly changing in New Zealand.
One is
a highly specified Limited model that is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine
and is front-wheel drive. The other is an entry LX model powered by a 2.0-litre
turbodiesel and is all- wheel drive.
The
arrival of these two Kias
illustrates latest trends in the SUV market, particularly involving the small
to medium- sized versions. In this segment there is now an even 50:50 split
between 2WD and AWD models as many consumers realise they don't need four-wheel
traction for their everyday motoring, and close to 80 per cent of these
motorists also prefer petrol as their fuel rather than diesel which not only
smells, but which is also the subject of that increasingly unfair mileage tax
called the Road User Charge.
However,
at the same time many of those customers who do prefer the torquey benefits of
turbo-diesel power, also prefer their vehicles to be all-wheel drive. But,
probably because such vehicles are going to be put into more practical use, the
customers don't necessarily want their SUVs to be highly specified and
luxurious.
And
that explains why this year Kia
New Zealand upgraded its Sportage
selection to include an entry model AWD diesel and a highly specified 2WD
petrol.
It all
means there are now eight models in the Sportage lineup
that encompass LX, mid- spec EX and top Limited models in 2WD and AWD forms,
and with the choice of petrol and diesel.
Up
until this year there was also a choice of three powertrains - a single 2WD
model had a 2.0-litre petrol engine, while the AWD models had a choice of
2.4-litre petrol or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. But when the Sportage stopped being sourced
from Korea and came from Slovakia instead, the 2.4 engine became unavailable
because Kia's European
operations don't use that engine.
Is it
unfortunate that the cubic capacity of the petrol engine is now smaller than
before? No way - the latest unit is a direct-injected Nu series engine that
replaces the former multi-point injected version. While peak power is unchanged
at 122kW, the torque has risen 8 newton metres to 205Nm and now peaks at
4000rpm instead of the 4600rpm in the previous Sportage.
All
this means the petrol models now have quicker accelerator response,
particularly for those all-important overtaking manoeuvres when it's important
to spend the least amount of time as possible on the opposite side of the road.
For example, the 60 to 100kmh time has dropped by close to a second, while the
80 to 120kmh time has fallen by a full second.
Since
we're talking about the petrol engine, we'll deal with the 2WD Limited model
first. Our test model was a lovely looking version painted a hue called Techno
Orange, and a feature of the interior is a high level of specification that
includes leather seat upholstery, both the front and rear seats are heated, the
glovebox is cooled, and there is satellite navigation, dual-zone climate
control, and reversing camera.
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The RRP
for this Limited model is $44,490 which is $4000 less than the AWD equivalent,
and to my mind that makes this Sportage rather good buying. Kia NZ is right on
the money in its opinion that an increasing number of motorists don't
necessarily want all-wheel drive, but are still prepared to pay for a high
level of specification.
I
enjoyed this Kia.
Big 18-inch alloys shod with 55-series tyres help make it a secure drive, and
the vehicle benefits from some running changes to the entire portage lineup
that have been designed to minimise noise, vibration and harshness.
For
example there's a new windscreen which offers better sound-proofing, the front
subframe is now mounted on bushes rather than bolted directly to the bodyshell,
adding and there's a new more rigid mounting bracket for the transmission so
resonance is reduced.
All
this contributes towards making the Sportage 4x2 Limited what it is - a classy
front-driven petrol hatchback in an SUV body.
Meanwhile,
the AWD LX turbodiesel is a true medium- sized SUV because it does offer the
combination of all-paw traction and the low-down grunt of the diesel engine.
Pricing is good too, the retail price for the LX is $44,240 which is about
$4000 lower than the mid-spec EX diesel and a whopping $10,000 less expensive
than the Limited 4x4.
And it
is not as if the vehicle is low in standard specification either. The seats are
covered in cloth and the air conditioning is manual, but it has front and rear
reversing sensors and a reversing camera, and the full suite of safety
features.
It also
has Kia's very good all-
wheel drive system that automatically distributes torque between the front and
rear wheels depending on traction requirements, and which can also be locked
into AWD which permanently splits the torque 50:50 for the tougher off-road
driving. Frankly, in all but the most demanding circumstances, that's about all
the average motorist needs.
This
Sportage continues to be powered by the R Series DOHC turbocharged diesel that
develops 135kW of power and, more importantly, 392Nm of torque from just
1800rpm. It's a nicely flexible power unit that is a joy to use, and if
operated carefully it can achieve very good fuel consumption. During the week I
had the LX for road test I took it on a decent trip and got the average down
below 7 L/100km.
Not
much has been done to the exterior of the Sportage for this facelift. There's a
new mesh grille which is finished in chrome, there are the new alloy wheels,
and a new shark-fin roof antenna.
Main
changes to the interior involve the use of better quality materials. The
dashboard and door sills now have soft-touch surfaces, and the seats feature
the new cloth-and-leather combinations.
It's
all important, but it's not that important. The most significant changes to the
Sportage therefore are all to do with the powertrain and specification mixes in
the pair of vehicles the subject of this review. High specification, petrol and
2WD or entry specification, diesel and AWD? The good news is that these days Kia offers the choice.
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