Kia has evolved its Sportage family SUV. Jonathan Crouch drives the fifth generation version.

Ten Second Review

Kia's Sportage asks more searching questions of its family SUV rivals in this more dynamic-looking fifth generation form. There's a more up-market look and feel, more electrified engine technology - more of everything really. Well, except full electric power and real off-road ability anyway.

Background

Kia's Sportage is one of the most prolifically-selling cars South Korea has ever brought us. Europe likes this model line very much, which is why Europe has been given its own bespoke version of this car in this fifth generation guise. In place of the long wheelbase version sold in other world markets, our continent gets a shorter, sportier-looking version of the MK5 design which apparently has been tuned for our roads as well as for our preference in the size of our Qashqai-class family SUVs. It's certainly the most daringly-styled Sportage yet, both inside and out, with much borrowed from Kia's all-electric EV6, a similarly sized model which relieves the brand of the need to provide a full-battery version of this crossover. Mind you, it's possible to have just about anything else electrified beneath the bonnet, thanks to engineering shared across the board with this car's competitor and close cousin, the Hyundai Tucson. Let's take a look.

Driving Experience

So: choose your flavour of hybrid; mild, full or plug-in. All three forms are available here, based around the same 1.6 litre T-GDI petrol engine. Diesel power is no longer available. And there's no full-Electric version because this car's showroom stablemate, the EV6, fills that role says Kia. Because the brand's European division had to create a shorter Sportage design for their continent, they took the opportunity to more closely tailor ride and handling for the needs of European drivers. The mainstream engine options start with a conventional 1.6-litre unit in 148bhp form, available either in unlectrified form with manual transmission or in mild hybrid 48V guise with a 7-speed DCT auto. The two top 'proper' Hybrid petrol models only come with an auto. The full-Hybrid HEV Sportage variant delivers the 1.6 T-GDI engine with a 44.2kW electric motor and a 1.49kWh battery delivering a total output of 226bhp. With top-spec trim, the HEV Hybrid can also be had with AWD. The top PHEV Plug-in variant only comes in AWD form and uses the same engine paired to a 66.9kW electric motor powered by 13.8kWh battery to give a total output of 261bhp and an electric driving range of around 35 miles. In all its guises, this Sportage is superbly refined. Like its rivals, it's never likely to feel fun or entertaining; the steering is particularly light and relatively feel-less, though that's great in town. But there's plenty of cornering grip, it's wieldy on urban roads, easy to park and a quiet highway cruiser, with the usual semi-autonomous driving tools available to take the strain out of long trips.

Design and Build

Like the all-electric EV6, this MK5 Sportage has been designed under Kia's 'Opposite United' ethos. Which you could guess from a glance at the visual elements the two models share - the boomerang-style headlights, swollen rear arches, the concave tailgate shaping and the prominent spoiler. Europe gets a short wheelbase version of this model - and won't be offered the longer version of this design available to other world markets, both variants sitting on the same N3 platform that undergirds this car's close cousin, the identically engineered Hyundai Tucson. Shared parentage with the EV6 is also evident inside, where the dashboard gets a gently curved display incorporating two 12.3-inch digital screens. Other key controls are operated via a row of multimedia haptic buttons, which can change function depending on drive mode selection. Though the European Sportage is 85mm shorter than the long wheelbase global model, it's 30mm longer than the previous generation design and that frees up 10mm more wheelbase length for a couple of adults to sit comfortably in the rear - three at a pinch. The boot's around 10% bigger than before too, Kia claiming 591-litres of stowage space, extendable to 1,780 if you fold the rear bench. These figures drop fractionally with the HEV Hybrid (587-litres and 1,776-litres). And further with the PHEV (540-litres and 1,745-litres).

Market and Model

Pricing is quite a bit higher than it used to be for a Sportage, sitting in the £28,500 to £45,500 bracket. There are the usual Kia '2', 'GT-Line', '3', '4' and 'GT-Line S' trim levels. The full-Hybrid variants start from around £35,500 - the Plug-in Hybrids from around £40,000. Across the range, connectivity's a strongpoint - not only with the large 12.3-inch cabin screens (both for the instrument cluster and the centre stack monitor) but also with telematics. The brand also offers its 'Kia Connect' smartphone app which allows customers to connect remotely with their cars. A clever 'User Profile Transfer' feature enables users to back up their in-vehicle Kia Connect preferences via the cloud and transfer settings from one vehicle to the next. Top 'GT-Line S' variants get an upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system. In all its forms, this Kia is fitted with a wide array of Advanced Driver Assistance System technology - what Kia calls 'Drivewise' features. There's a 'Forward-Collision Avoidance assist system with Junction Turning' that should help you avoid collisions at junctions; and 'Highway Driving Assist' helps you maintain a set distance to the car in front and keeps this Kia in the middle of its lane. This Sportage can also offer Blind Spot Assistance and a navigation-based cruise control system that automatically reduces speed for the corners. With top spec, there's even a Remote Smart Parking Assist system that can park the car for you into tight spaces while you stand outside it controlling things from the key fob: neat.

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the WLTP figures. The base unelectrified manual model returns 41.5mpg on the combined cycle and 154g/km of CO2. The 48V mild hybrid auto version of the company's 1.6 T-GDI Smartstream petrol drivetrain puts out 147g/km of CO2 and should return 43.5mpg on the combined cycle. The full-Hybrid HEV petrol model improves that showing to 129g/km and 49.6mpg in 2WD form (146g/km and 37.7mpg in AWD HEV form). For the PHEV AWD model, it's 25g/km and 252mpg, along with an all-electric driving range of around 35 miles. Charging a PHEV Sportage from a 3-pin ICCB supply takes 6 hours and 30 minutes (empty to 95%). Use the kind of 7kW wallbox you'd obviously install at home if you were to choose a Plug-in Hybrid and that time drops to 1 hour and 42 minutes. As usual with Kia, there's a 7 year or 100,000 mile warranty which, since it can be passed from owner to owner, should help the impressively strong residual values. You might want to note that roadside assistance cover is limited to one year, but you do get a long 12 year bodywork warranty. Maintenance costs can be kept down by opting for Kia's 'Care-3' or 'Care-3 Plus' servicing packages, which offer a fixed-cost and inflation-proof servicing plan for the first three or five years, something which can also be passed on to subsequent owners.

Summary

In theory, a lot of boxes have been ticked here. This fifth generation Sportage has been aligned in size and drive dynamics more closely to the needs of our market. It offers new full-Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid engine options in a class where rivals typically only provide either one or the other. And the smart cabin finally puts paid to any memory of Kia's budget brand roots. But the South Korean maker's now not afraid to charge decent money for this car. And it must face a set of very determined rivals, not least Nissan's Qashqai, the segment sales leader. This Sportage though, having long been edging closer to its Japanese arch-rival, now feels ready to bother it more acutely in this fifth generation form. If you're shopping in this segment, it's a car you have to try.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heated rear window

Rear privacy glass

All round electric windows with drivers and front passenger auto up/down function

Automatic window defogger

Rain sensing wipers with aero blades

Tinted rear glass

Brakes

Traction control

Dynamic brake control

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Multi collision brake assist

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electronic stability control with downhill brake control

Vehicle stability management

Electronic parking brake with auto hold function

Communication

Apple car play/Android Auto

E-call

2 rear USB-C ports

Driver Aids

Lane keep assist

Speed limiter

Front and rear parking sensors

Emergency stop signalling system

Drive mode selector

Driver attention warning

Lane Following Assist (LFA)

Motor driven power steering

Smart cruise control with stop and go functionality

Rear view monitor

Intelligent speed limit assist

Highway Driving Assist (HDA)

Forward collision avoidance assist (FCA) - city/pedestrian/cyclist/junction covering

Reversing camera system integrated into centre fascia screen

Driver Convenience

Tailgate

Driver Information

Trip computer

Windscreen washer level indicator

Low washer fluid warning

Kia Connect (UVO)

12.3" Touchscreen navigation system

4.2" driver display screen

Driving Mirrors

Interior electrochromic mirror

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Gloss black door mirrors

Electrically adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors with LED indicators

Embellishment Trims

Aluminium pattern finish centre fascia and door garnish

Entertainment

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

Bluetooth audio streaming

DAB Radio with MP3

6 speaker audio system

USB port for connection of a media device

USB C type charging ports on centre console

1x USB-C port in front

Exterior Body Features

Rear spoiler

Body Colour Exterior Door Handles

Gloss black radiator grille

Satin finished beltline

Rear side wing doors

Glossy black roof rack

Front and rear chrome skid plates

Body colour radiator upper garnish and door garnish

Gloss black side sill and wheel arch body mouldings

GT-Line exterior styling

Black and body coloured bumpers

Silver window surround

Exterior Lights

Rear fog lamp

Automatic headlight control system

LED daytime running lights

High beam assist

LED front fog lamps

LED rear combination lamp

LED High mounted stop light

LED headlamps (low and high beam - MFR type)

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

Rear air conditioning

Ventilation ducts to rear compartment

Interior Features

Leather steering wheel

Centre console storage box

Rear coat hooks

Manual adjust steering wheel

Heated steering wheel

Cupholders in rear armrest

Black headlining

Alloy pedals

Paddle shift controls

Luggage net with hooks

Gear shift indicator

3 x passenger assist grips

Front and rear door storage

Luggage area parcel shelf

Luggage area load cover

Luggage board

Rear cabin light

Metal paint interior door handles

Drink holder at centre armrest

12V power socket in front centre fascia and luggage compartment

Suede leather upholstery

GT-Line Interior Styling

Luggage compartment under floor storage

Interior Lights

2nd row personal lamps

Door courtesy lamps

Glovebox illumination

Overhead console lamp

Front Cabin, Rear & Luggage Compartment Lights

Safety

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Rear door child safety locks

Active front headrests

Dual horn

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters

Rear airbags

Dual front side airbags

Impact sensing auto door unlocking

All round 3-point seatbelts

Twin front airbags

Front passenger airbag cut-off switch

Seatbelt reminder warning

Twin curtain airbags

Rear seat alert system

Seats

Heated front seats

Front seat and rear pockets

Driver's seat manual height adjustment

3 seat bench in 2nd row

All-round height adjustable headrests

Drivers seat power lumbar support

ISOFIX Child seat top tethers and anchor fixings outer rear seats

Front passenger's seat manual height adjustment

40/20/40 split folding rear seat

Single front passenger seat

Security

Locking wheel nuts

Visible vehicle identification number

Speed sensitive auto door locking

Engine Start/Stop Button with Smart Entry System

Door deadlocks

Smart key with motion sensor

Customisable automatic door locking

Customisable automatic door unlocking

Thatcham category 2 security alarm and immobiliser

Towing

Trailer stability assist

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and front passenger side sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

19" GT-Line alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre mobility kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 142

Particles: 0.0001

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.02

HC: 0.03

CO: 0.417

Noise Level dB(A): 67

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Gears: 7 SPEED

Transmission: AUTO

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Camshaft: DOHC

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

CC: 1598

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - High: 51.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5.5

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 42.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 44.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.3

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 47.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5.9

WLTP - MPG - Low: 37.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.7

General

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Generation Mark: 5

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 20E

Service Interval Mileage: 10000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 86

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 66

NCAP Safety Assist %: 72

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 157

Badge Engine CC: 1.6

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Coin Series: GT-Line

Coin Description: T GDi 48V

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 7

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 100000

Performance

Engine Power - BHP: 157

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 195

Engine Torque - NM: 264

Engine Torque - RPM: 3500

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Power - KW: 117

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9.4

Top Speed: 119

Engine Torque - MKG: 26.9

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/50 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 235/50 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Style: N

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4515

Height (including roof rails): 1650

Height: 1645

Width (including mirrors): N

Wheelbase: 2680

Width: 1865

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.9

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1751

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 562

Max. Loading Weight: 565

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1510

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 54

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2145

Minimum Kerbweight: 1580

Exterior Body Features

Premium paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Infra red

Paint - Special

Premium paint - Dark penta metal

Premium - Lunar silver

Premium paint - Phantom black

Premium paint - Blue Flame

Premium paint - Fusion white

Trim - Part Leather

Suede leather - Black