Kia Sportage: New model in the first test

by

Driving report Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI

Tough nut for the Tiguan – Kia’s new compact SUV in the first test

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-sportage
kia Kia Sportage model year 2022

  • Site author Wolfgang Gomoll

The new Kia Sportage scores with a modern interior, large displays and many assistance systems. But the chassis still requires fine-tuning.

When you talk about an automotive shark tank, the compact segment immediately comes to mind. If it is also a crossover, the competitors have particularly sharp teeth. After all, there are big sales in this class, but only if the price-performance ratio is right and if you pack too much into the car, the package becomes too expensive and you quickly drift into the premium segment.

Kia in the shark tank with Skoda, Mazda and VW

The Kia Sportage has established itself precisely in this demanding environment, in which competitors such as the Skoda Karoq, the Mazda CX-5 or the VW Tiguan cavort. A good price-performance ratio has been the formula for success so far. That should also remain the case with the fifth generation, which will be available from dealers from January, but the days of the Billigheimer attitude are long gone.

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-clears Audi VW-price-performance ratio unbeatable
kia Kia Sportage

In order for the Koreans to skim off as much of the cream as possible from the raised vehicles of the Golf class with the new SUV, they offer an extensive range of drive combinations for the Sportage. From diesel to petrol engines, which can be combined with a manual transmission, an automatic transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Diesel, petrol or hybrid: everything is available

The plug-in hybrid version will not come to Germany until spring 2022, the full hybrid not at all, so we chose the Milhybrid-1.6 T-GDI petrol engine with 132 kW / 180 PS including a seven-speed DCT. Before the test drive, the Kia managers reminded us that the Sportage Generation 5 was specially developed for Europe, which should be particularly noticeable in the chassis, which allows more sportiness without sacrificing comfort. Not the easiest of all voting tasks.

Opponent of the Tesla Model Y: The Mercedes EQB can do that

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-test

site Opponent of the Tesla Model Y: The Mercedes EQB can do that

The emphatically futuristic face with the huge tiger nose (BMW says hello) and the v-shaped daytime running lights is not quite to our liking, but the interior is even more so. The interior with the two 12.3-inch displays and the wide center console takes over elements of the Stromer Kia EV6, which is not the worst reference. Especially since the new Sportage adds a few practical details.

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-clears Audi VW-price-performance ratio unbeatable
kia Kia Sportage

For example, the frames of the two cup holders in the center console only snap out at the push of a button. If these are sunk, larger parts can also be accommodated. There is space for clothes hangers on the backrests of the seats, in the upper indentation of which tablets could also fit. In any case, one notices that the Koreans also want to make themselves popular with company car drivers.

Space was never his problem

Space was not a big issue with the Kia Sportage anyway. So there was no need to inject growth hormones. The length of the crossover increases by three centimeters to 4515 centimeters, the width by one centimeter to 1.865 meters and the wheelbase, which increases to 2.68 meters. However, the Koreans have upped the ante in terms of space economy. At the back you have a lot of space and the fact that the backrests of the back seat snap forward with a lever also contributes to the convenience calculation. However, the loading floor rises slightly. But the trunk volume is neat with 562 to 1751 liters.

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-test
kia Kia Sportage

Subscribe to the Auto-Newsletter here

Insider reports, tests, guides, videos, background information: Every week, Site provides you with the most important news from the auto department. Here you can subscribe to the newsletter easily and free of charge.

When it comes to connectivity and infotainment, the Sportage is at the forefront anyway. Own app, integration of the smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and many in-house apps that are activated by touch. Speaking of which: Controlling the narrow touchscreen bar under the large monitor for quick access to the air conditioning and other functions by direct selection simplifies operation. In terms of assistance systems, the Sportage offers a lot given the segment in which it is located.

Head-up display is not available

However, a head-up display cannot be bought for money or good words. Among other things, a blind spot assistant, cross-traffic detection including turning function and an all-round camera are on board. The adaptive cruise control reacts to vehicles ahead and brakes reliably. It is a bit trickier to condition the flexible acceleration controller in such a way that it also reacts to the speed traffic signs, which are also shown on the display. As soon as a speed limit is displayed, you have to adjust the cruise control to this number, then it works.

Korea SUV clears Audi and VW-price-performance ratio is unbeatable

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-Korea clears Audi VW-price-performance ratio

Site Korea SUV clears Audi and VW-price-performance ratio is unbeatable

Switch automatically by rotary button

Finally, the driving remains, which should now be Europeanized. With the controllers you have already looked very closely. The automatic circuit is activated by rotary control as in the Sorento, as well as the driving modes eco, normal and sport. The off-road supplements Snow (snow), Mud (mud), sand are reserved for plug-in hybrids, even if our sports days with all-wheel drive rolls around the curves. Dynamic is the 1.648 kilogram crossover none. After nine seconds, country road pace has been reached and at 201 km/h it is over. When it comes to consumption, Kia gives 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers. We needed 7.9 l/100 km on our first test drive.

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-Korea clears Audi VW-price-performance ratio
kia Kia Sportage

The differences between the driving programs are noticeable. Although the comfort is always given, but in an effort to breathe more dynamic into the SUV, the technicians have tuned the chassis inharmoniously. The adaptive dampers are tighter and convey more dynamics, but the body rocks in long waves. The interaction works best in the sports driving program. That leaves the price: The new Kia Sportage costs at least 27.790 euros, the driven version with dual-clutch transmission, all-wheel drive and GT-Line beats 45.490 euros to book. For comparison: the VW Tiguan starts at 29.855 euros.

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT in the test: That’s how good the muscle car is with 486 hp

Kia Sportage: New model in the first test-first

site Ford Mustang Mach-E GT in the test: That’s how good the muscle car is with 486 hp

Type Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI
engine Four-cylinder petrol engine
Displacement (cm3) 1598
Power in hp (KW) at rpm 180 (132) at 5500
Max. Torque (Nm) at rpm 265 Nm at 1500 rpm
Maximum-
speed (km/h)		 201
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (sec.) 9.0
transmission 7-speed DCT
drive all wheel drive
type of fuel great
Consumption EU third mix (l/100 km) 6.9
CO2 emissions (g/km) 156
length (mm) 4515
width (mm) 1865
height (mm) 1645
weight, manufacturer-
specification (kg)		 1648
Max. Payload (kg) 562
price (euros) 45.€490.00
emission standard Euro 6d

Related articles

Please follow and like us:
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon

5 thoughts on “Kia Sportage: New model in the first test”

  1. That
    I just think the front design of the box is horrible. Neither timeless nor elegant. Under … Under no circumstances would I want to have something like this myself. There are more than enough alternatives which look much better. I don’t spend my money on something like that. The good thing is, because this car is so ugly, you won’t see too many of them. Good this way.

    Reply

  2. so what ?
    Plastic paneling in the trunk ? Well, what a surprise in this price range. ? Then you should take a look at some of the current VW models to compare what they install in the passenger compartment.?! Then compare the warranty period and purchase price and then you come…..to what result ?

    Reply

  3. Car picture from 09.12.2021
    In the test of the Kia Sportage1.6 T-GDI verbatim: "And as far as the trunk is concerned, we repeat ourselves . The sides should be lined with carpet, not plastic.After all, a respectable full 4 points in the test . Not bad .

    Reply

  4. As a mild hybrid
    still a consumption of 7.9 l/100km, a trunk with wheel housings from the early days of automobile construction,… well. There will be a few buyers .

    Reply

  5. There definitely are
    Wheel arches are due to the deep cargo space, making loading and unloading easier, and your back will thank you. In addition, there is again the huge guarantee period, which helps.

    Reply

Leave a Comment