Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi XS

Driving a 4x4 is no longer the preserve of the rich. The Fiat Panda Cross has already proved that you can do it on a tiny budget – and even if you need more space and versatility, there are still plenty of models to choose from.

For our green test we’ve chosen the Kia Sportage to represent the low-cost, low-
emission brigade. Priced at a tempting £17,895, the Korean offering undercuts Honda’s CR-V by more than £7,000. That’s compensation for an environmental penalty of 14g/km – the Kia emits 187g/km of CO2. This puts it in the 28 per cent company car tax bracket, and means the Sportage could have its work cut out convincing us of its green credentials.

The Kia scores its first points with practicality. Although we’re not fans of
the mismatched styling and bulging wheelarches, the body makes for a very useful cabin. There’s easily enough space to rival a compact family hatchback.

What your average five-door can’t do is head off the beaten track. A cheaper front-wheel-drive version of the Sportage is also offered, but to make the most of the high ground clearance and chunky tyres, you will need to pay for the 4x4.

At low speeds and in traffic the car is perfectly adequate. The steering is light and the controls easy. However, the flaws start to show when it’s pushed. Turn into a corner too quickly, and the Sportage feels as though it’s ready to leave the road. On tarmac the four-wheel-drive transmission seems clunky, with power going to the rear wheels in a jarring shunt, rather than a seamless motion.

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The Kia’s engine also leaves a lot to be desired. We managed 0-60mph in exactly 12 seconds and in-gear pace is impressive. However, it’s better suited to cruising, as refinement at full throttle is limited.

And it’s when sitting at a comfortable speed on the motorway that the Sportage’s economy improves. Our overall average of 32.1mpg included many hours of mile munching, as well as more intensive work on Yorkshire’s toughest hills and tracks. Of all the models on test, the Kia was the least comfortable when tarmac quality deteriorated. Its size is perfect for slotting down narrow lanes, yet the soft suspension isn’t up to the job of smoothing out bumps. The springs reach maximum travel all too easily, resulting in a terrible ride.

So what are the Sportage’s strengths? In addition to its regular practicality, it still has the one fundamental attribute of a 4x4: go-anywhere ability. We’re not suggesting Sportage buyers are likely to journey deep into the rough, but it will be able to tow a caravan into a muddy field or head down an unmarked road with confidence.

We have no complaints with the Kia’s build quality, either. The cabin isn’t made from particularly classy materials, yet our test car suffered no squeaks or rattles,
even after our grueling test route.

So the Kia has a lot to offer for modest outlay and a relatively low environmental impact. It’s just a shame it falls so short of the mark when it comes to ride, handling and driver enjoyment.

Details

Price: £17,895
Model tested: Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi XS
WHY: Budget buyers can’t get much more SUV for their cash than with Kia’s compact 4x4.

Economy

Buy a Sportage, and keeping costs to a minimum will be a top priority. In addition to the highly competitive list price, servicing is reasonable, too. While retained values aren’t as weak as the Fiat’s, a prediction of 38 per cent isn’t great – although it’s only 1.9 percentage points behind the CR-V. Drivers who tackle tough rural roads should also consider economy – when pushed, the Kia managed little more than 30mpg.

Environment

Emissions are higher than for some similarly sized rivals – but you have to balance that against the low price. It’s practical and good for towing, so you can offset the output against the car’s carrying ability.