2011 Kia Sportage Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 1996, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015 and 2016 Kia Sportage as a used buy

Graham Smith reviews the used 2010-2013 Kia Sportage, its fine points, its flaws and what to watch for when you are buying it.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1996-2014 Kia Sportage.

Peter Mifsud wants to buy a 4WD wagon and he’s confused by the many choices available. He’s not a serious off-road enthusiast and says his old VY Commodore has got him to where he’s needed to go, but he wants a car that will tow his 1000kg campervan and he’s got around $20,000 to spend.NEWThe new Sportage released in 2011 was a revelation. No one saw it coming, but they should have, as Kia has been a make on the move for some time now.No longer the poor cousin of the car business, the brand you bought if you couldn’t afford anything better, Kia is now a well-respected maker of cars that deserves a place on our shopping lists.The new Sportage of 2011 was one of the models that signalled the arrival of the Korean brand as one to be taken seriously.A compact SUV, the 2011 Sportage boasted a new body with smart looks, new engines, much improved on-road manners, and five-star safety.The range boasted three models, the two-wheel drive Si and the four-wheel drive SLi and Platinum. It’s the four-wheel drives we’re looking at here given our reader’s started preference for a four-wheel drive.Two engines were offered. One was a 130kW 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the other a 392Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.There was only one transmission, a six-speed automatic and that fed into an on-demand four-wheel drive system that in essence drove the front wheels until it was deemed necessary for traction to send some of the drive to the rear wheels.Although it wasn’t a traditional four-wheel drive system as fitted to a heavy-duty off-roader it was surprisingly competent in the bush.The cabin had seating for five, it was quiet and comfortable, and in the Platinum you got everything you could wish for, from an eight-way power driver’s seat, adjustable steering column, leather trim, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, a decent sound system and a reversing camera.Kia’s fit and finish has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years and it now compares favourably with any other brand in its class.Safety was also on the money as ANCAP recognized when it gave it a five-star tick. With six airbags, ABS brakes, and dynamic stability control it has quite an arsenal of safety gear. NOWSportage 4WD models are rated to tow up to 1600kg with trailer brakes, so they should comfortably tow the Mifsuds’ campervan weighing just 1000kg.With its high riding stance and ground clearance, along with its on-demand four-wheel drive system it should also be capable of handling their limited off-road needs, provided they don’t want to go rock climbing or something like that.Owners generally praise their Sportages, they rarely criticize them.They are not only well built, they are reliable and few problems of a serious nature crop up with them. We hardly ever hear of issues at CarsGuide, which suggests they are getting the job done for their owners in the field.Kia issued a recall notice in January 2014, which related to an issue with the seat belt pre-tensioner. Check the owner’s manual to confirm the recall rectification has been carried out. If you’re in doubt about it speak to a Kia dealer.Also check the service book to make sure all recommended servicing has been done. Missing services is a recipe for disaster, a failure to change engine oil regularly is just asking for trouble.Even though few Sportages will have seen duty in the rough going inspect your potential purchase carefully, particularly underneath where any damage as a result of off-road is likely to be readily seen.

Despite the protests we hear some punters are waiting up to nine months to take delivery of Kia's new diesel Sportage.Launched in August last year, it says something about the regard this vehicle and the brand are now held. We were fortunate to get our hands on a diesel before the big 'dry' which we have been driving for the past three months. Unfortunately, it's almost time for our Sportage to go back. In this time, we've covered just over 7,000km and I've got to say, if I retired tommorrow, I could quite happily live with one of these cars on a full time basis.The compact all roader ticks all the boxes, with its dramatic styling, all-wheel drive, a powerful but economical diesel engine and a slick six-speed automatic, together with a five-star safety rating and long list of standard equipment.Priced from $39,490 plus on-roads, it's a lot of car for the money.It's easy to understand why the demand for the diesel Sportage is so great.In combination with the six-speed auto, the diesel engine offers an almost perfect combination of economy and performance, in a package that is super smooth to drive. It will change the way you think about diesels forever.Over the course of the last three months, the Sportage hasn't missed a beat.The fit and finish is first rate and the ride quality is superb thanks to the time and effort that Kia has put into local tuning for Australian conditions. Close your eyes and you'd be forgiven for thinking you were driving a BMW ... it's that good.With fuel economy rated at 7.5 litres/100km, we have been regularly seeing between 7.1 and 9.8 litres/100km, although the latter figure seems to have been a one-off. Our overall the average consumption has been 8.2 litres/100km.With a smallish 55-litre tank, the Sportage has a theretical range of 743km. The most we got was 646km, which is not that different to many petrol vehicles these days. In this regard, a slightly large tank would be handy.The 2.0-litre turbo diesel is smaller version of the 2.2-litre unit in the larger Sorento. It packs a wallop with 135kW of power and, more importantly, 392Nm of torque from a low 1800 revs. Weighing in at 1705kg the all-wheel drive diesel model can tow a 1600kg load. The diesel is hooked up to a six-speed automatic that's tailor-made for the job and that allows you to change gears manually if desired.With seating for five people, it's quiet and comfortable inside, with a height and reach adjustbale steering wheel and a driver's seat that has eight way power adjustment, that can be either heated or cooled. Leather upholstery and dual zone climate control are standard in this model, along with a LCD reversing camera and six-stack CD changer and high end sound system with separate subwoofer, as well as two power outlets in the centre console with AUX and USB inputs.Standard equipment includes six airbags, rollover sensor, hill start assist, electronic traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, active front headrests and 18-inch alloys, with a full size spare.What's not to like?

It wasn't so long ago that we used to draw straws to see who'd have to drive the next Kia.These days, however, it's a completely different story. It's difficult to pinpoint just when it happened, but sometime in the past fews years the Korean company has discovered how to make not just good, but highly desirable motor vehicles. The Sportage, a compact five-seat SUV is a case in point.It's the fourth vehicle to bear the name here but a far cry from any of the models that preceded it, both in conception and execution. The ladder chassis has gone, so too has low range four-wheel drive, to be replaced by an edgy, soft roader that's designed mainly for urban duties.I confess to owning one of the first Sportages, a rugged little wheat-silver coloured off roader with a big heart and a 2.0-litre Mazda engine. It was excellent value for its time and, just like the first one, I wouldn't mind owning the latest models either - but for different reasons.The Sportage can hold its head high in any company. Not only does it look the goods, it's well built and rides and handles just like a BMW. There's a big call for you. Much of the cars success can be attributed to Kia's chief designer Peter Schreyer, who used to knock out new models for Audi.Schreyer has headed up the design team since 2006, putting his stamp on a range that has improved in leaps and bounds in the past couple of years. But mention the name Kia and there is still some prejudice to overcome. Guys, you really need to get over it, because this is just not the case anymore.For $38,990 you get a compact, five-seat soft road wagon with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, six-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive and Australian-tuned suspension along with all the trimmings including a heated and cooled driver's seat.The turbo diesel packs a wallop with 135kW of power and 392Nm of torque, and uses just 7.5 litres/100km. With a smallish 55-litre tank, that gives the diesel Sportage a theoretical range of about 730km. We've been getting about 7.7 litres/100km.Kia spent some time tuning the suspension for Australian roads and it shows, with a smooth planted feel that's not unlike a BMW. The Dynamax all-wheel-drive system is the latest of its kind and more advanced than that in the ix35.Inside you'll find leather upholstery and an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. There's also a six-stack CD changer and high end sound system with separate subwoofer, as well as two power outlets in the centre console with AUX and USB inputs.The Platinum also gets fancy daytime LED running lights like the expensive Euros, larger 18-inch alloys with 235/55 rubber, tinted windows and a power operated sunroof. As long as you've got the key in your pocket the door will unlock automatically and its got keyless push button start too.Gets my vote.

 VERDICTThe Sportage cleverly suits a wider range of buyers than the Skoda, primarily because of its value-for-money price and its desirable looks. But their culture is as wide apart as their language. Translate this and they suit different buyers.

AUSTRALIAN motorists love compact SUVs which have taken over as the new family vehicle. The segment is one of the few experiencing growth and it's no wonder with 25 models available with a range of variants with diesel power, manual and automatic transmissions, plenty of cargo space and room for a family of five and even their pooch.Today every maker needs a compact SUV in their range. Over at Volkswagen Australia managing director Anke Koeckler says:. "The Tiguan is one of the volume sellers in our plan to become a significant player in Australia."The current Tiguan's about to be replaced by a second-generation model and is in short supply as is the Toyota RAV4 so they couldn't make this comparison of five compact petrol-powered automatic SUVs that includes top sellers, a European and the two emerging Korean models.We asked the Tranter family - Ross and Julie and their children, Joshua, 7, and Samantha, 5 - to come with us for a drive through city traffic, highway touring, rural roads and a picnic in the country in our full-day comparison test. They own a Mazda2 and admit that in a couple of years they will look at an upgrade, possibly to a compact SUV.VALUEPricing and feature fit-out is keen in this highly competitive category. Our five vehicles are mid to high spec, according to what was available from the manufacturer, but they only vary in price by $5000 from the Hyundai ix35 at $35,490 to the Subaru Forester at $40,490 which comes with a comprehensive info/navigation/entertainment system with reversing camera.The Renault Koleos is listed at $36,990, but our test vehicle was fitted with a leather package ($2500) that includes black leather seats, electric driver's seat, heated front seats and quick-release rear folding seats. It also comes standard with a built-in Tom Tom navigation system, auto wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and a chilled glovebox.The top-spec Kia Sportage Platinum is fitted out at similar levels to the Hyundai. It costs an extra $1230 but adds rain-sensing wipers. Both have rear parking sensors, sunroof, rearview camera, auto headlights, fog lamps (front only on Kia) and heated side mirrors.In the middle is the X-Trail at $38,490 with roof rails, auto climate control and cooled/heated cup holders.All come with what are considered essentials in a family car these days - remote locking, cruise control, comprehensive stereo connectivity for Bluetooth phones and iPods, fog lights and climate airconditioning.Resale values are similar, but slightly better for the Renault and Subaru at 54 per cent and the lowest was the X-trail at 50 per cent.TECHNOLOGYAt the heart of all these models are four-cylinder petrol engines of similar capacity. Even though the Hyundai and Kia share a 2.4-litre engine compared with the 2.5-litre units in the others, power and torque are almost the same across the group.Power varies only 5kW from 125kW in the X-Trail to 130kW in the Koreans and torque 9Nm from 226Nm in the Koleos and X-Trail to 235Nm in the Forester. All models also offer a diesel variant which are worth considering for economy if you're doing long distances and for their driveability. The Forester transmission is an old-fashioned four-speed auto, while the Koreans have six-speed torque-converter automatics; the X-Trail and Koleos have continuously variable transmissions with six selectable steps.Most are front-wheel drive switching to all-wheel drive when they sense rear-wheel slip, while the Subaru is permanent all-wheel drive. All have hill descent control and hill-start assist, but only the Renault, X-Trail and the Koreans have a locking diff function.Economy is fairly close across the group but interestingly the X-trail is the best at 9.1 litres per 100km compared with 9.5L/100km in the Koleos which runs the same engine, but weighs about 80kg more. The Koleos also requires 95Ron fuel.If towing is important, the X-Trail and Koleos have 2000kg capacity compared with 1600kg in the Koreans and 1400kg for the Subaru.DESIGNThe group can be split into two on styling - the boxy Nissan and Subaru versus the more curvaceous Hyundai, Renault and Kia. It comes down to taste, but the Tranters liked the "modern" look of the ix35."I like a car with a lot of curves," says Julie.To us the X-Trail and Subaru are starting to look a little old-fashioned, even though both have had major makeovers only a couple of years ago. Of the "rounded" models the Kia has a little more pizzazz with LED daytime running lights and coupe-like rear roofline.Statistics for cargo space never give a real-world indication of how much luggage can be fitted, but with picnic baskets, esky and our photographer's kit bags loaded, all seemed to hold a fair bit of gear. The Renault is the only model with a split rear tailgate which Ross liked, but Julie thought it would make it more difficult to reach luggage items at the back of the cargo area. However she liked the underfloor storage area with slide-out tray in the Nissan."I'd probably use it as a permanent storage area for sunscreen, the kids' hats and snacks," she says.The X-Trail's cargo floor was the only one in the group not carpeted, a virtue according to Nissan for outdoor types. In the cabin, the Nissan again looked a little tired, while the others appeared modern and fresh, although the Renault is a little quirky and difficult to get used to all those knobs and controls. The Tranters found cabin space good in all but praised the Subaru for having the best legroom space in the rear for the kids in their booster chairs.SAFETYAs a fire and rescue officer, Ross Tranter places a strong emphasis on safety."There are things I've seen at crash scenes that I'd rather forget," he says.The Tranters own a Mazda2 and bought the top spec just for the extra airbags in the back, so they were impressed that all models, except the XTrail, get a five-star safety rating with full-length curtain airbags and stability control.They also commended all for their good forward visibility and praised the Kia and Hyundai for their reversing camera conveniently located in the centre mirror. There was high praise, too, for the high driving position of all, which at least gave them a feeling of safety.All vehicles come with three anchor points in the rear, but the Tranters found the Subaru was the only vehicle that was easy to fit the seats as the belt clasps were not spaced wide enough in the others. On the theft safety front, the Subaru also has Data Dot protection.DRIVINGIt was the Tranters' ninth wedding anniversary but they enjoyed our test loop through Brisbane city and out into the country for a picnic, then later McDonalds for the kids. Stepping up from their Mazda2 to the compact SUVs was easy for the Tranters who commented that they liked the high seating position and good forward visibility of all models.They liked the Subaru: easy to drive, plenty of room in the back for the kids, a big boot and a quiet and comfortable ride. They found the Hyundai a bit noisy on some surfaces, comfortable with a lot of extras they enjoyed but they didn't feel it was as stable as the Nissan in the dirt. Praise came for the Renault's handling and steering feedback."I didn't feel like I wasn't in total control at any time. It's not wanting for power either. I could put my foot down and it was there when I wanted it," Ross commented. Julie found the Renault's quirky controls a bit confusing to start with. And Ross didn't like the Kia's seat. "It has good support down low but not up high."We found the Koreans' automatic gearboxes had to work hard to keep things humming along, while the Forester, Koleos and X-Trail felt more lively and responsive, even the Subaru with its four-speed box. We're no great fans of continuously variable transmissions, but the CVT boxes in the Renault and Nissan are among the best we have driven and kept the revs in the sweet spot for difficult terrain.Most of these will tackle a rough bush track and even a beach, but be aware they are not meant for heavy duty off-roading. Subaru is fitted with Yokohama Geolanders which we have found the best compromise between highway and track. The Forester also has the best ground clearance at 220mm while the Koreans have the lowest at 170mm (Hyundai) and 172mm (Kia), but you should take into account a load and passengers will reduce these clearances.VERDICTIf rough country roads were on our agenda, we'd pick the Subaru or X-Trail as both vehicles not only handled the terrain with poise but also gave a feeling of being solidly built and reliable. The Renault has the same X-Trail underpinnings and urges you to have a go at the rough stuff thanks to a pretty slick engine/transmission combination and slightly more compliant suspension. It is a much under-rated vehicle with only 310 sold fo far this year.Most of the vehicles in this class are suburban run-arounds doing the grocery, school and sports ground circuit. Here, the modern styling of the French and Korean models look the part. For the record, the Tranters liked the style of the Hyundai but when it came to family practicalities their vote unanimously went for the Subaru for its space, comfort and quiet ride.SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XS PREMIUMPrice: $40,490Engine: 126kW/235Nm 2.5L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 4-speed auto, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.3L/100km  CO2: 220g/kmSafety: 5 stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 1400 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 3-yr, unlimited kmService: 12,500 or 6 mnthsResale: 54%NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-LPrice: $38,490Engine: 125Kw/226nM 2.5L 4-cyl petrolTransmisson: CVT, 4WDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.1L/100km  CO2: 214g/kmSafety: 4-stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 2000 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 3-yr/100,000km, roadside ass.Service: 6 mnths/10,000kmResale: 50%HYUNDAI ix35 2.4 HIGHLANDERPrice: $35,490Engine: 130W/227Nm 2.4L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed auto, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.2L/100km  CO2: 219g/kmSafety: 5 stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 1600 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 5-yr, unltd kmService: annual or 15,000kmResale: 52%KIA SPORTAGE 2.4 PLATINUMPrice: $36,720Engine: 130kW/227Nm 2.4L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed auto, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.2L/100km  CO2: 221g/kmSafety: 5-stars, 6-airbagsTowing: 1600 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 5-yr/unltd kmService: 1-yr or 15,000kmResale: 52%RENAULT KOLEOS DYNAMIQUEPrice: $36,990 ($40,290 as tested)Engine: 126kW/226Nm 2.5L 4-cyl petrolTransmission: CVT, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 9.5L/100km  CO2: 228g/kmSafety: 5 stars, 6 airbagsTowing: 2000 (braked), 750kg (unbraked)Warranty: 5-yr/unltd km, roadside assistService: 1-yr or 10,000kmResale: 54%SHOWROOM SUCCESSSALES success in the highly competitive compact SUV category is fickle, changing every month. Nissan X-Trail was the leader in June, Hyundai ix35 in May, Subaru Forester in February, April and July, Toyota RAV4 in January and March.So far this year Subaru Forester is the top seller with 7574, even though sales are down 13.1 per cent on last year. This repeats its top-selling success in the category since 2008. The new Hyundai ix35 was second with 6806, RAV4 third (6472), X-Trail fourth (6430) and Dualis fifth (5156). Despite the Renault Koleos being a Nissan X-Trail with French dressing, it has sold only 310 so far this year to rank 20th out of 25 models in the category.The compact SUV segment is one of the few recording growth with an increase of 2.1 per cent so far this year while the SUV category is down 2.9 per cent and the total new vehicle market is down 5.9 per cent. The only faster-growing categories are luxury SUVs (317.4 per cent) and utes (6.2 per cent).SAFE AND GREENOWNERS of any of our tested vehicles can rest assured they are safe and green. They all have six airbags, stability control and anti-skid brakes as a minimum, while some have more driver aids such as Hyundai's Vehicle Stability Management which adds steering assistance in low-traction situations. All get a five-star crash rating from the Australian New Car Assessment Program, except the X-Trail which was last tested in 2007 and scored four stars.The Australian Green Vehicle Guide gives all vehicles better than average scores for greenhouse air pollution and economy. The Kia and Hyundai score closely because they basically have the same drivetrain. The Hyundai scores 6 greenhouse rating out of 10 and 8.5 for air pollution gaining four stars. The Kia scores a 5.5 greenhouse rating because its CO2 levels are 2g/km higher. Next is the Subaru with 6 for greenhouse emissions, 6.5 for air pollution for 3.5 stars and Koleos with 5.5, 6.5 and 3.5 stars. There are no results listed for the X-Trail.Most of these models have been around for a while in some shape or form and are good buying second-hand. Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V are the only used compact SUVs rated as a "safe pick" by the Automobile clubs of Australia. In their recent annual buyer's guide to used car safety ratings, they gave five stars to the Forester (02-08) and CR-V (02-06). Four stars were awarded to the Kia Sportage (98-03), Toyota RAV4 (06-09), Ford/Mazda Escape/Tribute (01-06), CR-V (97-01), Forester (97-02), Suzuki Grand Vitara (99-05) and RAV4 (01-06).

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.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.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.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.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.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.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.