Kia Sportage
Ratings
3 stars
Summary
Average. Well-priced entry-level 4x4, but it feels cheap and basic next to rivals.
Review
If you're looking to buy an off-roader on a tight budget then it's hard to fault the Sportage, which offers very good value compared to more prestigious rivals.
And, providing your expectations are realistic, it's an impressive car for the money, too. The tough-looking design shares some of the Lexus RX300 design cues of the bigger Kia Sorento, but it's certainly not an unpleasant visual prospect.
By contrast the interior feels a bit downmarket, with old-fashioned design and some very cheap-looking materials. Front and rear seat occupants both enjoy reasonable space, though, and luggage capacity is generous.
It's nothing like as sharp to drive as the best of its rivals, suffering from vague, over-light steering and hard suspension that gives a crashy ride quality over poor road surfaces. Motorway cruising is loud, too, with a combination of road and wind noise making its presence felt in the cabin.
Buyers are only able to choose between two petrol engines. Of these the basic 2.0 litre four-cylinder motor needs to be worked hard to deliver reasonable performance, and delivers a thrashy soundtrack when you do so. But it's a better proposition than the thirsty, more expensive and barely quicker 2.7 litre V6 that sits at the top of the range.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
3 star
Inoffensive and tough enough, but looks a bit bland compared to upmarket rivals.
Handling
2 star
Cornering is marred by over-light steering and poor grip levels.
Comfort
2 star
Over-firm suspension gives choppy ride quality over anything other than smooth surfaces.
Quality & Reliability
2 star
The cabin is trimmed with some very cheap-feeling materials. Far off the standard set by classier rivals.
Performance
3 star
Basic 2.0 litre petrol engine gives respectable urge, although it sounds strained when worked hard. Thirsty V6 is barely faster - worth avoiding.
Roominess
4 star
Roomy for four adults and reasonably spacious for five. Luggage space is reasonable, too.
Running Costs
3 star
The smaller engine has reasonable fuel economy but servicing isn't much cheaper than upmarket alternatives, and residual values are poor.
Value for money
5 star
Lots of car for your money, although the base model doesn't offer much in the way of equipment.
