Kia's long suit has
been value, and part of that value was getting a lot of features for the money.
The 2015 Kia Sportage stands that on its head
by having the second highest sticker price among the six compact crossover SUVs
in this test with a sticker of $33,975, surpassed only by the $36,420 Jeep
Cherokee. However, you shouldn't feel shortchanged since the Sportage, thanks to its
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, is the most powerful of this sextet
by far, boasting 260 horses.
Of
course, with great power comes great responsibility of not being a leadfoot if
you want to return decent fuel economy. The EPA ratings reflect the Sportage's muscle with 19 mpg
city/25 highway for a combined 21 mpg.
From a
styling standpoint, the Kia Sportage is handsome with its
signature "tiger nose" grille, sharp character lines and compact
size. The interior design is equally competent, with crisp execution,
comfortable seats and intuitive controls -- in particular the UVO infotainment
system, which is second only to Jeep Cherokee's excellent UConnect in ease of
use. The quality of the materials, including the leather, is good, but the
cabin lacks extensive use of soft-touch surfaces and trim accents that at first
glance comes off as a bit Spartan. Closer inspection, however, reveals that the
panoramic sunroof and creature comforts such as heated/ventilated front seats,
dual zone climate control, pushbutton start, steering wheel controls and a
rearview camera all contribute to the MSRP's bottom line.
Although
there is plenty of room for up to five passengers, the compact size of the
vehicle is felt in the cargo area, which, with the second row folded down,
offers only 54.6 cubic feet. Still, the hatch is large and the liftover fairly
easy to negotiate when moving things in and out of the cargo bay.
The Kia's strength is
primarily in its drivetrain, which includes a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Compared to the other vehicles in the test, the Sportage had no trouble keeping
up with traffic or climbing long grades in the desert, while keeping the cabin
cool. The suspension is taut, which is consistent with the engine's sporty
performance, so ride is not the Sportage's forte.
Overall,
the Kia delivers
on the sport part of the Sportage
name with dynamics that are competitive with the Mazda CX-5. Along with the
sporty nature, Kia also offers
additional peace of mind with its 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. It all adds up
to an attractive package for young families as well as the young at heart.
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