It’s hard not to like the third-generation Kia Sportage – with its comely rump, mildly-aggressive face and cosy interior – and even harder not to love it after driving it, says Azlan Ramli...
THE third-generation Kia Sportage won many Malaysians over the moment its press photos were revealed several years ago.
Its launch was eagerly anticipated by the motoring world mainly due to one factor: Kia hiring the former Audi and Volkswagen designer Peter Schreyer back in 2006.
The Sportage model brand is considered by many as the first compact SUV’s officially available in the local market after it was introduced in 1993. It was quite well-received, despite its few shortcomings. The second generation had greatly improved build quality, fit and finish, albeit with so-so looks.
But this one is something else. In fact, it was a “Wow!” moment for me and many Malaysians who were smitten by its exterior looks consisting of a stylish face and bulbous rear.
The interior is just as impressive. Fitted with many modern conveniences one would find in such a car; all wrapped, framed and/or encased in among the best-quality materials that match the Sportage’s price tag. Its overall build quality, fit and finish got many other more-established car companies a bit nervous!
Kia’s strategy – as well as its compatriot Hyundai’s (for hiring ex-BMW designer Chris Chapman) – seemed to immediately work, as expected. After all, good design is the main agenda of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP). Look it up if you want to know more about “the only design body in Korea to plan and implement national design policies and strategies, which is affiliated to South Korea’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy”. Impressive, huh?
This Sportage here was finally released in April 2010 to Asian and European markets. For the 2014 model year, it received a mid-generational refresh, with new headlamps, foglamps, etc.
Among the many awards and accolades it has accumulated since 2010 were: Top of the JD Power Survey for 2012, being the only car in the survey to score five stars across all categories, from mechanical reliability to ownership costs and the dealer experience; and awarded “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States.
Now…
Several years down the road, the current Sportage still looks good. With its curves and lines pleasing to many eyes, it boasts a very nice profile, stance and road presence.
Like those K-Pop performers, the Sportage is for the urban jungle where it is most comfortable in, adept at tackling its often-congested traffic and roads, nutty motorists, potholes, tricky turns in basement and multi-level parking lots in office buildings, condominiums and shopping malls. This one is two-wheel-driven and that’s sufficient.
For the men, the Sportage looks “cool” enough for you not to be mocked at by your male friends. Picking up your date will ensure a pleasant outing right from the start; its good looks cheering her up the moment she sees your ride. Yeahhh...
As for the women, the Sportage looks pretty enough to complement all that nice outfit, accessories and make-up combo you have put on for that awesome retail therapy/girls day out/mani-pedi-spa-gym session or whatever urban gurlz do nowadays.
Like all SUVs, it gives the security and comfort of an elevated window and seating position, but without the jarring, sometimes-agricultural ride of a pick-up truck.
The Sportage is a good friend to singles, couples and a family with one or two small kids. Its “Clean Tex” cloth seating provides anti-bacterial, anti-soil and anti-static properties to the seat fabric for added durability and livability.
Careful packing and arrangement of things will get its boot to swallow some decent-sized luggage and maybe a couple of folding bikes too for that family holiday or weekend outing. With the rear seat backs collapsed, it easily took in my 26-inch-wheeled mountain bike (MTB) without requiring the bike’s front wheel to be taken off and without that wheel touching the back of the front seats.
Loading the bike in too wasn’t a tricky affair that risks the plastic panels being scratched. Stretch your creativity a little bit and the Sportage may take in two MTBs for you and your partner to attend those many faraway MTB “jamborees”. You needn’t worry about being post-ride dirty – there’s “Clean Tex” fabric, remember?
You may have seen the next-gen Sportage on the Internet. It looks nice, to say the least. I personally feel that the third-gen Sportage is still good-looking and able to meet all your needs. Go get it before it is replaced by the next one.
WHAT THE BUYERS SAY
The Kia Sportage 2WD’s looks and price seem to be the common factors that make it attractive to Malaysians. Two happy buyers tell Gear Up! their reasons for choosing the compact SUV:
Ho Chee Keong, 36, marketing director from Kepong, Kuala Lumpur:
“I already have a Kia K5 (Optima) so the familiarity to the brand is there. I do like my Sportage for its comfort level, especially on long distance journeys, its stability and sufficient engine power.
“I test-drove a Japanese make of the same category and price bracket, but I preferred the Sportage more.”
Sally Phua, 54, “office worker” from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur:
“It’s cute! That’s among the major reasons that I chose the Sportage. The price is very reasonable too, considering its features and accessories, compared to others in the same price range and category. And the interior is lovely, to me.
“Together with my husband, I test drove so many other compact SUVs, including Chinese ones, before settling for the Sportage, in the end. I’m very happy with it!”
KEY SPECS
Safety: Six airbags with rollover sensor, rear parking assist, speed sensing auto door lock, impact sensing auto door unlock, driver’s side anti-pinch window, ISOFIX child anchor, electronic stability program (ESP) pack consisting of Electronic Stability Control (ESP) with antilock braking system (ABS), hill assist control (HAC) & downhill brake control (DBC), ventilated front disc brakes, solid rear disc brakes, rear parking assist system with camera display
Accessories: 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rack without cross bar, folding wing mirrors, Infinity audio system with radio/CD/MP3/AUX/USB with seven speakers including subwoofer, keyless entry, on/off light switch for vanity mirrors
Engine & Transmission: 1,999cc, 16-valve, twin cam, dual-continuous variable valve timing (D-CVVT), 6-speeds
Max. power (kW (ps)/rpm): 113 (154)/6,200
Max. torque (Nm (kg.m)/rpm): 191 (19.5)/4,700
Fuel tank: 55 litres
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive type: 2-wheel-drive
Package: 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage
Price: RM118,888 (private registration, on-the-road with insurance, inclusive of GST).