After spending a week with KIA Sportage CRDi EX model, and it exceeded our expectations by a long shot and its the one to go for in the Sportage range.
When it comes to the exterior appearance, the Kia Sportage certainly drew admiring glances from the public. The boomerang style LED Daytime lights stand out while the EX spec comes standard with LED headlights. During a night time drive from iXopo to Durban, these lights made "light" work of the drive (see what I did there).
The dark grey finishes on the grille and wheels further enhanced the overall aesthetics, resulting in a chic and sophisticated look. The front design creates a very aerodynamically design look, characterised by sleek and muscular lines that adorn the sides. These lines are accentuated by the addition of chrome accents and glossy black window frames. The EX boasts a rear spoiler, along with razor-style signature LED taillights and an attractive rear bumper. These styling elements truly captivate the attention of onlookers.
The alluring outer appearance is accompanied by a spacious and visually appealing interior. The driver is greeted with a distinct dashboard layout, highlighting a prominent curved screen. This setup flawlessly combines a 12.3-inch display for driver-related information and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for multimedia control. Android Auto is only connected via a cable and works perfectly with the infotainment touchscreen. The audio system though is a disappointment where sometimes the quality is not up to standard. Even with Bluetooth connection, you sometimes struggle to hear properly until the volume is on full.
The cloth seats are so comfortable, one struggles to see why one would want leather. Coupled to the standard heating for the front rear seats (steering wheel heating is a bit over the top for our KZN seaside weather). The electrically adjustable front seats also het memory function for the driver. The interior is exceptionally roomy with very good rear legroom even with the front seats accommodating tall passengers. Additionally, the SUV offers a sizable boot space, which adds to the convenience of carrying extra luggage. We were also impressed by the generous standard specification level that the XE model offers. Some noteworthy features include rear charging ports located on the front driver and passenger seats (which we found to be very cool). Interior lighting could be better though as we sometimes struggled to get good lighting at night.
Our test unit was equipped with a 100kW/320Nm 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine, delivering a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. The power figures on paper don't do justice to how good this engine is in use as it just does what it's supposed to. The power is sent to the front wheels via a dual clutch 7-speed transmission which can be a bit jerky in traffic especially if you have the AutoHold on. This creates a delay in the Stop/Start system in traffic which can frustrate drivers behind. Throughout our experience with the Sportage, we achieved impressive fuel efficiency in city driving, averaging 6.7l/100km.
The compact size of the EX model made it effortless to navigate through heavily congested urban streets, even during peak hours in our CBD. Our brief experience on the open road was also impressive, as the Sportage felt stable and well-controlled at highway speeds. During a drive on gravel roads, the EX felt much better than the big wheeled GT Line plus. The 18-inch wheels are just perfect.
We were particularly satisfied with the ECO drive mode, as it delivered excellent fuel efficiency without sacrificing driver enjoyment. On the other hand, the SPORT drive mode provided a more urgent response but this detracts from what this model excels at and that's cruising in comfort. When pushed, the engine's high-rev tone was a bit unpleasant.
We've thoroughly assessed the new Kia Sportage XE and found it to be an exceptionally strong contender in the compact SUV category. This vehicle truly stands out in terms of comfort, convenience, and safety features. Priced at an attractive R663,995, one might consider the price high but if you look at it as an overall package to live with on a daily basis with all its standard features and fuel efficiency, its simply unbeatable.
All Sportage models ship as standard with Kia’s industry-leading Unlimited Kilometre/5-year warranty, inclusive of Roadside Assistance. In addition, a pre-paid 6-year / 90,000 km service plan is included to give customers peace of mind and predictability when it comes to vehicle maintenance.