What is it?
The facelifted Kia Sportage – a car whose success, both in the UK and throughout Europe, has been remarkable these last few years.
More than a quarter of Kia’s UK sales last year were of Sportage – and given how fresh and handsome the car still seems, it's obvious what folks are responding to. But the car will need more than good looks to continue to thrive in a segment with a brand new Nissan Qashqai in it – more, perhaps, than Kia’s just armed it with as part of a 2014 facelift.
Regular readers may remember how comprehensively the Kia was trounced by the new Nissan Qashqai in a group test earlier this year – not least on refinement, quality and dynamic wieldiness.
Kia’s response is to fit the Slovakian-built crossover with some new interior trim plastics, a new audio system, a new instrument pack and some fresh seat upholsteries.
A thicker windscreen has been fitted as well, and under the skin there’s a new variable-assistance steering rack, new front subframe bushes, revalved dampers, softer anti-roll bars, a new symmetrical driveshaft and a new transmission mounting.
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The problem with the new
I think the IX35 is actually the one to watch, spec is now very good even on a base SE and it has also had various improvements. Cleverly Hyundai offer it in trendy off-White for free. Nissan want £750 for this on the Qashqai - the most expensive colour option! Having had an IX35 (previous gen.) as a hire car for 2 weeks it was very good daily user, an improved one should only be better and its a LOT cheaper.
The new Sportage
Kia's MPG is nothing to write home about. All in all the only areas Kia Sportage leads the class is in looks and warranty.
Doubt the average driver drives such cars like sport cars,,,