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Kia Sportage SLi 2011 review

While this back-raked and crouched wagon makes some of today's rivals look a tad dowdy, it also offers a real challenge to the big names in terms of driving dynamics - on and off the tar.

This is the third generation of a Korean machine that until now has been, for all its honest virtues, a bystander in the biggest game in town.
Compact SUVs are hot in today's marketplace and the herd continues to grow, especially now there's the option of two-wheel drive machines alongside all-wheel drive variants in many marques.

And this time around Kia's Sportage offers a choice of drivetrains, transmissions and powerplants, starting at $25,990 and running through to $38,990. All wrapped up in a good-looking and most usable wagon, an urban warrior with dirt road credibility.  We've been out and about in the Sportage SLi diesel which sits in the middle of the new pack.

Pricing

At $10 shy of $35,000, the SLi diesel with six-speed auto offers a fair range of equipment, style and space. SLi's carry dual zone air conditioning, reversing camera alongside the usual host of today's comfort and convenience features; it misses for little and outdoes some rivals in this class. The engine/transmission package plus Australian-tuned suspension adds to the inherent value here, as does a full-size spare wheel.

Technology

As one of the newest of the bunch, the SLi Sportage carries a swag of the latest gear, including rollover sensor, downhill brake control and hillstart assist alongside speed-sensitive steering, stability control, ABS and all-wheel drive. There's the rear view camera, automatic headlights and a six-function trip computer. The sound system features CD player plus MP3, USB and iPod connectivity.

Design

This is a bigger Sportage than before - longer and wider, albeit lower in the roofline. It takes Kia's cheeky new grin up front, a clamshell bonnet, raked-back front screen and narrow windows for a sporting approach to the SUV business. Sleek but muscled-up.

This new-found style carries through to an accommodating cabin, it's a decent size for four adults while the interior layout is both usable and attractive ahd the cargo area is a reasonable size for a compact wagon.  And the Sportage is more than just dynamic in style; Kia spent time on designing a chassis to suit Australian conditions.

Safety

The Kia Sportage scores a maximum five stars in the Euro-NCAP ratings.  Among passive safety aids there's attention to body structure and strength plus six airbags and active head restraints.  Then there's a raft of active technology, including ABS, stability control, a rollover sensor and hillstart assist. There's all-wheel drive available and, on SLi and Platinum models, a tailgate-mounted rear view camera.

Driving

While the Kia Sportage is an easy town car, keeping the traffic honest and easily slotting into the local shopping centre parks it is at its best as an enthusiastic tourer, willing to take on the lumps and bumps of backroads with composure and willingness.

Ride and handling is well-balanced, suspension soaking up rougher roads without losing traction when pushing along. Visibility, driver comfort and the chassis's sure-footedness are added safety and fun features on the open road.  There is the smallest hesitation at the steering wheel before the Kia turns in with authority and grip; just a small protest from those front tyres in tighter corners taken at speed, spiced with a hint of body roll.

But there is a confidence here that (without the family aboard) allows for press-on motoring over mountain roads; all within the speed limits but at decent A-to-B pace.

Much of this exuberance arises from the Kia powerplant and six-speed transmission, willing participants in chasing down the kilometres. For best results use the gearbox's manual mode to keep the 135kW diesel beyond 2000rpm; sometimes this means dropping back as low as third for best effect.

All this fun-running didn't do a lot for fuel consumption, the best was 8.2 litres per 100km through the hills; around town that ran up to 9.5 litres per 100km.  The Sportage tracks fine down a dirt road, loose surfaces rarely unsettling the balance. For more difficult tracks the drivetrain can be locked into a 50:50 split, the let-down here are the tyres, rubber more suited to bitumen (or beach) than a bush track.  Ground clearance at 172mm could be an issue for some.

Verdict

The Kia Sportage is among the best of compact SUVs. Perhaps not everyone will agree with the rakish style, perhaps some prefer a more cubed machine for this type of cross-over vehicle.

Yet the sleekness of the Kia's body style does not hamper the wagon's versatility as a family carrier; the smartness of the interior does not deter from its practicality.  On top of all that there is a well-behaved chassis driven by an excellent engine-transmission combination. All wrapped in a safe, and value-packed, package.

Pricing guides

$12,000
Based on 54 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$7,999
Highest Price
$20,990

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
Si (FWD) 2.0L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $9,790 – 13,420 2011 Kia Sportage 2011 Si (FWD) Pricing and Specs
SLi (AWD) 2.0L, Diesel, 6 SP AUTO $10,450 – 14,300 2011 Kia Sportage 2011 SLi (AWD) Pricing and Specs
Platinum (AWD) 2.0L, Diesel, 6 SP AUTO $12,980 – 17,270 2011 Kia Sportage 2011 Platinum (AWD) Pricing and Specs
Bruce McMahon
Contributing Journalist

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Pricing Guide

$7,999

Lowest price, based on 54 car listings in the last 6 months

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.