Design, interior and infotainment
As a 90s kid, I watched Kia grow up and have worse commitment problems than a teenager, at least when it came to model names (anyone remember the Sephia, Spectra or Amanti?). The heart of Kia is the Sportage, which has been around since Haddaway asked us "What is Love?," and the perfect embodiment of how far it has come.
When the Sportage first launched, it was a traditional sport utility vehicle that shared a platform with a Mazda van and didn't stand out from Japanese competitors. Even the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine the Sportage used was a Mazda design. Kia was the last amigo standing, because Isuzu and Suzuki are shells of its former self.
The latest (fourth generation) Kia Sportage made its North American debut at the 2015 LA Auto Show, with a fresh face that reminds me of a Porsche Macan – certainly not a comparison I ever expected to make in my lifetime, and at half the price, no less.
I flew out to San Diego, Calif. to sample a pair of top-end Kia Sportage SX Turbo, in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. Pricing for the Sportage SX Turbo starts at $33,395 (£24,350 for the similar GT-Line and AU$47,992 for the Platinum trim) for the FWD model, while AWD is an extra $1,500.
On the outside, the Sportage sports a smiley face that's grown on me since its LA Auto Show debut. It's an aggressively happy-looking car, like the grin of an evil genius, but incorporates Kia's trademark tiger nose grille and ice cube LED driving lights.
Kia treats the AWD models to a unique front fascia that provides a greater approach angle of 28 degrees, compared to the 16.7 on FWD configurations, for the illusion of off-road capability. AWD models have an extra 0.4-inch of ground clearance, but the breakover and departure angles only differ by less than a degree.
Around back is the sexiest stance on the Sportage, with full LED tail lights and rear skid plate, finished with dual exhaust tips. I find the new design striking, but the best part is Kia's minimalist approach to chrome use.
There's a little chrome detail in the headlights and the strip at the center of the tail lights, but the rest of the car's brightwork is satin silver. Chrome on modern cars isn't my forte and I always thought it was a cheesy way to dress up a car.
Interior
Step inside and you'll find a driver-focused interior with high-quality materials. The entire top half of the dash consists of a single form-fitted soft-touch piece, which is unusual in this segment. Its competitors typically have a piece of hard plastic to transition to the windshield, but Kia extends the soft-touch material all the way.
Everything below the infotainment display is hard plastic, but the texture and feel disguises it nicely. The armrests are wrapped in vinyl with padding that makes it comfortable to rest one's elbows on.
Kia sticks to good ole-fashioned physical buttons that click, which I prefer because each click corresponds to a command. There's no second-guessing if you pressed the button correctly or not, like with capacitive touch buttons. The one thing I don't like is the use of gloss black trim in the most frequently touched locations – smudges galore, you know?
Kia did a great job with the interior of the Sportage. Before flying to San Diego for the Sportage drive, I was testing a RAV4 Hybrid Limited (review coming soon), and the Sportage interior is leagues ahead of Toyota and could almost pass as a Lexus.
Grab the steering wheel and you'll feel like Speed Racer thanks to a sporty flat-bottom wheel with thumb grips wrapped in leather. Look ahead and you'll find analog gauges for the tachometer, coolant temperature sensor, speedometer and fuel level.
A 4.2-inch LCD display is sandwiched between the gauges and provides turn-by-turn navigation, trip information, driver assistance information, music information and access to vehicle settings. As much as I love technology, I still prefer analog gauges for traditional functions, because it's simple and works without any visual lag like budget LCD cluster implementations.
Infotainment system
The infotainment system in the Kia Sportage is quite familiar and essentially the same system as the Hyundai Tucson, with a user interface that is identical to the Kia Optima,too. Kia uses the same 8-inch 800 x 480 resolution screen as the Tucson, but tilts it towards the driver.
There is one major difference, however. The Kia Sportage supports Android Auto from the get-go while the Tucson is still TBD. Onboard navigation is included with plain flat maps; in case you don't want to rely on your phone.
The one thing I love about Kia's navigation function is the ability to enter addresses and search for points of interest when the car is moving, so my passenger can use it. The car does display a liability warning each time you start the car, but you're free to do as you wish when the car moves.
I like the Kia infotainment interface a lot -- it's simple and easy to use with a mix of on screen and physical buttons. My primary annoyance is the lack of a physical home button that takes the system to its split-home screen. There's an onscreen button in the top left corner, but tapping items near the edge of a recessed touchscreen is pretty much the worst.
Music playback is available via USB, Bluetooth, HD Radio and SiriusXM. A single USB port is located in a cubby above the shifter, with plenty of space for large phablets like my Nexus 6. SiriusXM playback supports time-shifting on the first six presets so you can put Adele's Hello on repeat to your heart's content.
In case you only needed a USB port to charge your phone, Kia installs a USB charging port inside the center console. Rear passengers have a USB charging port of their own, too.
Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
Kia supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the Sportage, but only Android Auto is ready at launch. Apple CarPlay support is promised in April via a software update, but we're still waiting for Kia to deliver on its promise with the Optima as well, so it might be a long wait.
Nevertheless, Android Auto works great in the Sportage. I tested it with my Nexus 6 and my driving partner's Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. The Nexus 6 worked perfectly upon first plug-in, but the S6 Edge Plus required some finagling within settings to get the Android Auto prompts to show up on the phone.
Android Auto in the Sportage is very good: it lets you use simultaneously use your phone and native infotainment features. You can listen to music via Android Auto while using the onboard navigation or listen to SiriusXM while using Google Maps. The interoperability is seamless.
Audio and driver assists
Kia continues its relationship with Harman to bring the Harman Kardon branded premium sound system to the Sportage. The premium sound system is standard on all SX Turbo trim levels and comes with eight physical speakers in a six-channel configuration. The two tweeters are counted as separate speakers but run off the same channel as the front door speakers.
Harman touts up to 320-watts of power to the entire system from a trunk-mounted amplifier, which is respectable for a car. Harman's Clari-Fi technology is the cherry on top.
Clari-Fi technology claims to restore lost musical details in compressed music. While I rarely notice quality issues with my high bitrate MP3's or Google Play Music subscription, SiriusXM benefits greatly from Clari-Fi.
I'm not a fan of SiriusXM sound quality -- it always sounds extremely compressed. The only time it's not noticeable is with lower end sound systems. However, Clari-Fi makes SiriusXM more tolerable.
It cleans up the sound to add more depth and warmth to what formerly sounded like a 90's mixtape. So if you subscribe to SiriusXM or listen to radio, Harman Kardon Clari-Fi technology helps improve sound quality – significantly.
As for the Harman Kardon branded sound system in the Sportage, it's the best system available in a compact CUV. It It's an enjoyable system with clear highs that don't cause fatigue and punchy mid-bass, that beats out the plain-jane system in the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V, and leagues better than the Bose systems in the Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.
Driver Assists
Kia offers the exact same driver assists in the Sportage as the Hyundai Tucson, which includes blind spot monitor (BSM), lane departure warning (LDW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), backup camera and downhill brake control (DBC).
Everything works exactly the same, too. The BSM system has an indicator placed in the mirror that flashes once when a car enters your blind spot. If you have your turn signal on, the flashing speeds up to catch your attention and is joined by audible warnings. It uses radar sensors mounted in the rear bumper to detect cars.
LDW is a passive affair that flashes an indicator in the gauge cluster and sounds an audible warning every time you are near the lane marker or leave the lane. Fortunately, Kia provides three different sensitivity settings that are selectable in the vehicle settings. There's also a simple off button to the left of the steering wheel.
I didn't get a chance to test AEB, because it's not a feature I purposely try to trigger on public roads – you know, preservation of life and all. However, I managed to get the AEB system in the Hyundai Elantra to angrily flash a warning in the gauge cluster LCD display and provide full braking power with a tap of the brake pedal.
I assume the Sportage system works the same way and just as well. The LDW and AEB systems use a front mounted radar sensor and camera mounted above the rear view mirror, so part of the hardware required for adaptive cruise control (ACC) is already there. There's even a spot below the shifter that's the perfect size for Kia's electronic parking brake, for a full-speed ACC functions.
Kia does not offer ACC in the Sportage, while Mazda, Toyota, Honda and Subaru have it in competing CUVs. I wasn't able to get a straight answer from Kia representatives, except that ACC is technically possible, but is not offered.
DBC is a great feature for going down steep hills covered in ice and snow. It's easy to activate in the Kia Sportage -- just press the button below the shifter and let off the brake and gas. I was unable to find any ice or snow in San Diego (crazy, right?), but found a steep dirt hill to try it out.
With DBC engaged, the brakes automatically apply to keep the car moving at 5 mph. The car makes a lot of noises, but it's the typical sounds associated with anti-lock brakes (ABS) doing its thang.
Performance and living with it
Kia offers the Sportage with a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor, but the Sportage SX Turbo is only available with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Those on the other side of the Atlantic have different engine choices too, like a four-cylinder diesel and a smaller 1.6-liter turbocharged motors.
In North America, the engine is one of the major underlying differences compared to its Hyundai cousin. Kia rates the Sportage SX Turbo motor at 240 horsepower (hp) with 260 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque for front-wheel drive (FWD).
All-wheel drive (AWD) models are rated at a slightly lower 237 hp, due to a different muffler to accommodate the rear driveline. The different muffler design reduces NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). However, a loss of 3hp won't be as noticeable for everyday driving as NVH would be.
A six-speed automatic is paired with all North American Sportage's. There is a difference in gear ratios for the SX Turbo to best take advantage of the 56 extra horses.
While the Sportage SX Turbo offers more power than its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Tucson, it doesn't feel faster at all. But, the 1.6-liter turbo and dual-clutch transmission in the Tucson is more efficient and shifts much faster than the old-school six-speed automatic in the Sportage, so there isn't a feeling of urgency in the Sportage.
Kia's Driver Mode Select (DMS) makes its way into all Sportage models, too. There's normal, sport and eco drive modes. The different drive modes alter the precision and feel of the steering wheel. I prefer the sport mode myself, as the car translates the steering wheel movements to the front wheels with greater precision.
It also feels heavier and requires your whole hand to turn, which is how I like my steering wheel to feel, instead of the feather-light feel that you can turn with your index finger.
Altogether, the powertrain, steering and suspension comes together to provide car-like driving dynamics. It may be a CUV in height, but it feels like a hatchback behind the wheel. The drive route included plenty of windy roads that you can either slow down to a relaxed pace or take it as a challenge to see how well it handles.
I took it as a challenge and pushed it through the twisty roads and came out impressed. The Sportage had minimal body roll and felt planted and confident. I never felt the wheels lose traction or had any "Oh, I'm totally about to drive off into the canyon!" moments.
There was no perceivable handling difference between the FWD and AWD models, but it was sunny and arid outside. I did test the AWD system by playing around in some sand. The system reacts seamlessly and gets the car going with no effort. If you need added peace-of-mind, there's a 4-Lock mode that engages all four wheels without waiting for the front wheels to slip.
Living with it
Since I only spent a full day of driving the Sportage, there isn't much to say about what it's like to live with it. There is one nicety I was able to test: the hands-free smart trunk, or smart power tailgate, as Kia likes to call it.
The feature is simple, if the car is locked when you walk up to the trunk with your key fob in your pocket, it automatically opens the trunk after three seconds. It gives you warning beeps before opening, just in case you didn't want the trunk to open.
It works and doesn't require Kung-Fu kicking action to trigger it. I've yet to encounter any erroneous openings, as the warning beeps are quite loud and you don't have to move too far away from the car to cancel it from opening.
Verdict
I wasn't a big fan of the Sportage when it debuted at the LA Auto Show, but I've come around to finding it quite sharp-looking. The front end sports a sinister snicker, not a happy smirk, and the piano black details with black headlight housings looks fantastic. Kia did a remarkable job on the backside too, which is my favorite angle.
It's something I could see myself driving if I was in the market for a compact CUV. The Sportage also earns brownie points for satin silver bright work instead of the gaudy chrome trim.
We liked
Android Auto support should be standard in every new car. I love it, because Google owns my life and I never leave home without my Nexus 6. The nicety of having my calendar, Hangouts, Skype and Google Maps search history accessible through the car infotainment screen is very convenient and trumps every native feature of the infotainment system.
Harman Kardon Clari-Fi technology is aural magic for poor quality sources like SiriusXM. Satellite radio quality is absolutely terrible and SiriusXM should be ashamed for considering it acceptable, especially since you have to pay for a subscription after the initial 3-month trial period. Clari-Fi does its best to make SiriusXM tolerable, but considering that you're probably already subscribed to Spotify, the service remains a tough sell.
The hands-free smart trunk is a convenience I quite enjoy. If you're stubborn like me and try to carry your groceries out to the car, instead of pushing the shopping cart, it saves you the trouble of fumbling for keys or reaching to manually open the tailgate.
We disliked
Kia's lack of ACC in the Sportage is a disappointment. The car has the radar sensors and cameras necessary to support it, but lacks the programming for it. There's even a spot for an electronic parking brake release in the center console, which would give it full-speed capabilities. But, Kia just wants to tease, which is fine for upcoming new products, but not for a $35,000 car.
It's also a big bummer that Apple CarPlay isn't included at launch. Hyundai had Apple CarPlay working when it launched the Elantra last month, with the same infotainment platform, no less. Kia promises the update will come next month, but it has yet to deliver the promised update for the 2016 Kia Optima.
Final Verdict
If you're shopping for a stylish CUV with an excellent infotainment system, the Kia Sportage puts up a good fight and is one of my top choices in the crowded CUV segment. Its striking good looks and easy-to-use infotainment system is something I wouldn't mind living with every day.
Kia dialed in the suspension and steering response very well and it's enjoyable to drive on windy roads. It's not as engaging as the Mazda CX-5, but the Sportage feels like a higher quality car, with better interior materials and powertrain that never feels overworked. Compared to the Toyota RAV4, the Kia Sportage is a luxury car.
Ultimately, the Sportage conveys the trendy active lifestyle appearance, with comfort and technology to match. Ford, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia rank in my top five choices for CUVs. The Ford Escape has the sporty driving dynamics, turbocharged power and SYNC 3 infotainment while the Honda CR-V is always a safe choice. Mazda's CX-5 is bred for windy roads and has full-speed range adaptive cruise control, but can't compete under the hood.
I really liked the Hyundai Tucson for its solid build quality, interior feel, powertrain and subtle good looks, but the Kia Sportage wins me over for steering feel. It seems minor, but Kia did a better job tuning the electronic power steering sport mode for better response and feel for the road, not just making it feel heavier with no benefits like the Tucson.
So where does that put the Sportage? It's a tough call, because there's something to love about all the CUVs in my top five. Narrowing it down, the Sportage would be in my top two (alongside the Ford Escape). The refreshed 2017 Escape is right around the corner and gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while 2016 models will get it at the end of the year, too.
Both cars have their merits: I enjoy driving the Ford Escape with the 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecoboost motor more. The car feels lighter on its feet, but I dislike the dashboard layout with its bulbous and recessed touchscreen.
Seeing as how the interior is where you spend most of your time in a car, I'll have to give the nod to the Kia Sportage as the best CUV in the segment. It has the looks, technology, simple interior layout, comfort and conveniences that make it a great daily driver to live with. There's also a brown leather interior option, which I'm a complete sucker for.
Starting at $33,395 (£24,350 for the similar GT-Line and AU$47,992 for the Platinum trim), the Sportage SX Turbo isn't a cheap car, but you'll pay around the same price for competing models with the same options.
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