Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi First Edition

Sportage v RR Evoque

Evoque at around £35k looks a nonsense

By cfhughes on 22 July, 2010, 1:57pm

Now the catch.....

I was very interested in this model up until the point I found out that the first models will cost £20,777.

You may say that's still good value against the opposition, but no matter how you look at it, this is still a budget make. The interior though improved is still not up to more mainstream standards, and journalists are already making excuses about the driving experience with one eye on the value for money get-out excuse (before the prices were announced when sub-20K prices were assumed).

Until Kia can legitimately challenge a Ford Kuga for on-road driving competence, a VW Tiguan for interior quality and a Skoda Yeti for capable off-road ability, I'll take my money elsewhere.

By gavsmit on 24 July, 2010, 2:49pm

Kia brand image is slowly changing

To follow up from Gavsmit's comments: The latest generation of Kia's are well built and DO match up to the competition and on many areas they well surpass them. I suspect you haven't driven the new generation Kias. Kia's of old were cheap and chearful. New Kia's (i.e. new Ceed, Soul, new Sorento and new Sportage) and excellent cars, but it will take many years to shake off the old brand image. Look how long it has taken Skoda!
We have a new Ceed SW and a Soul. They both far surpass the competition in quality, specification, value and warranty. The Ceed is 95% there in terms of drive & ride but the Soul is only about 70%, however on style it beets everything.
In my recent past I've had far more expensive and premium cars (such as a new Range Rover Sport, new LR Discovery 3, various Volvo, BMW, Mercs and Saabs) and I can honestly say that the Kia quality on the new generation cars is better than that market segment.
It is just badge snobbery and once Kia have shaken off their old image, their market share will be massive. They styling of the latest generation Kia's (except the Ceed) is really bold and impressive and whats underneath lives up to it too.

By mpwox11 on 27 July, 2010, 3:26pm

AMC re-born

With 'styling' that apes the AMC Gremlin of the 70's this is never going to suit european tastes. The all-black interior does go with the tomb-like exterior though. Even if it had looked appealing the awful Kia grille would ruin it, as it does all the other cars in the range - it just looks home-made - the kind of thing you made as a kid with tin foil to turn thebox off a washing machine into a car or a space ship.

By autoclm on 27 July, 2010, 8:35pm

kia means quality, ask Which?

Having just finished reading the latest Motoring Which?, I couldn't disagree with 'autoclm' more...

Fact: All Kia models are very near the top of every test that Which? performed...

Now lets put that into perspective shall we? That means Build quality, reliability, customer satisfaction, economy, handling, performance, Dealer satisfaction... Need I go on?

As far as the Sportage is concerned, having read about Land Rover and Range Rovers dismal showing in the same publication (Bottom in almost every catagory with every model), I know where my money would be going if I was in the market for a 4x4...

By sgtgrash on 27 July, 2010, 9:25pm

The question 'Which?' doesn't ask.

No argument about quality and performance. But desirability gets cars out of showrooms. A buyer of a Rangie must know it's just a truck with styling by Postman Pat - but badge snobbery rules their head. Does 'Which?' ask non-Kia drivers if they would consider the car; and if not why not? The Cee'd actually looked modern and smart when introduced, but with the new grill it looks tacky and cheap.

By autoclm on 28 July, 2010, 9:10pm

As for the Ford Kuga, a friend recently tested one against the Hyundai ix35 (Sportage with different clothes) and the Kuga was horrifically poor in comparison, the Hyundai felt better built, was faster, quieter, handled better, had a much better gearshift over the spoon-in-porridge ford affair and was specced to the hilt, not the mention it was a few £thousand less than the Ford and looks better too.... try closing the bootlid on the Kuga and tell me honestly that you don't fear it's about to fall to the floor in pieces. The Sportage is the ix35 underneath and looks even better IMO, I have no doubt it will do very well, and actually, many people who care about magazines such as WHICH are probably the very same people who have flocked to Kia and Hyundai recently because they clearly expect more for their money.

By JamesRiley on 29 July, 2010, 4:29pm

Wow...Kia came a long way...it's absolutely best looking in class and it shows quality...now if only people wouldn't be conciencus about what brand they'll drive...congrats to Kia designers and engineers they step up they game and it shows...

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By lmmb1452 on 30 August, 2010, 2:29pm

Another Review

A review of the petrol engine Sportages is up now at
http://www.users.on.net/~pbm/PMMCarBlogs/Peter_McMutry_Car_Blogs_Home/Entries/2010/8/30_Kia_Sportage%3A_for_family_men_thinking_young.html

By PMinAU149 on 31 August, 2010, 2:28pm

KIA against Range Rover

As was previously pointed out, range/lamd rover drivers are only in it for the badge. My brother brought a Range Rover last year. Within 3 weeks the turbo had gone and it has been in and out of the garage ever since. My Kia has done 150,000 and is still going strong. As I turn up in my car everyone goes ooh and ahh and 'I want one!' just like a kid in a toy store!! So yes it is desirable and to say that the majority of the 800 first edition already made have gone in one month alone speaks for itself, doesn't it?!

By lellikelli on 9 September, 2010, 7:00pm

Kia Sportage First Addition

I've purchased a new First Addition Sportage and love it. The drive is so relaxing and positive it’s nice to have a little power under the bonnet. Seating space is excellent both front and rear and the boot space is excellent for our needs. I’ve had a towbar fitted and as yet not towed our caravan. One problem for me is the pairing of my Blackberry Bold 9700 and the cars Bluetooth will pair but then fails the next time you start the car. Kia's response to this is they are not going to issue an update and it appears that it's all Blackberry phones. Can’t believe that such a major phone will not work and that they aren’t going to fix it? If you are having similar problems let us know.

By Mayfield on 7 November, 2010, 10:35am

wating 4 delivery

i tride my neighbours kuga and it felt ok and looked really nice . Then I went for a test drive in the kia and was plesantly surprised . The ride felt firmer but comfterable and the engine was livelier and more eager to rev . The interior is great , the spec , far more for your money and the styling sharp , poerful and modern .
That was it , I put my deposit down straight away . I cant wait for the phone call to say it is ready for collection .

By hagafan41 on 27 December, 2010, 12:57pm

Baby Ranger Rover wannabe

It seems to be all Car giants want to bring out small 4x4, seems everyone is jumping on the band wagon.

Does sort of look like the new Range Rover & new prototype Ford Kuga. However seems popular already!

By dan123 on 2 February, 2011, 4:51pm