The 2018 Kia Sportage sets itself apart from the competition with spot-on design that draws influences from a certain German luxury manufacturer.
The compact-SUV market is a crowded place, with manufacturers constantly jostling for space. The stakes are high, as the segment has enjoyed healthy year-to-year growth.
Ultimately, all designers are constrained when constantly rehashing the boxy shape that consumers show they prefer.
The challenge is to capture the eye and set yourself apart from the many competitors all vying for the hearts (and wallets) of consumers.
I had an opportunity to drive a top-of-the-line 2018 Kia Sportage SX Turbo, with a list price of $39,595. There are six trim levels in total, starting at $25,095.
The 2018 Sportage was the result of a global design team, with the lead in Frankfurt and input from designers in Korea and the U.S.
Although the 2018 model is only 40 millimetres longer than the model it replaces, it looks longer, with a taller greenhouse and a panorama roof, which visually opens up the interior considerably.
The grille is now separate from the headlights, giving the front a broader look. On my SX Turbo the visage is further enhanced by the use of four ‘ice-cubes’ on both sides, which serve as the vehicle’s fog lamps.
There are two four-cylinder powerplants — a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre or a turbocharged 2.0-litre only found on the SX Turbo. I spent time driving the latter.
With 237 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque, the Sportage can now do battle with the Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander and Ford Escape, three competitors in the segment that also offer more powerful engines for the power-hungry.
There is a hint of turbo lag when the pedal is to the metal, but when the turbo cuts in, best to have a good grip on the steering wheel. You can choose the throttle and shift programming by selecting Eco, normal or sport modes.
If you are buying a Sportage with an eye toward fuel economy, it is probably best to consider the non-turbocharged models instead.
Steering-wheel paddle shifters allow you to manually shift the six-speed automatic transmission, although it already does a good job of shifting when left to its own devices. While front-wheel drive is offered on lesser models, the SX Turbo comes standard with all-wheel drive, giving you added confidence on the road when the weather turns ugly.
The suspension has benefited from a stiffer body with less lean evident on corners. A 30-millimetre addition to the wheelbase also helps smooth out the ride on the highway.
The SX Turbo comes shod with low-profile 19-inch wheels and rubber, with 17s and 18s found on other trims. Complemented by a responsive steering feel, the Sportage handles better than last year.
Kia’s designers and engineers took time updating the Sportage’s interior as well, with more supportive seats and a new centre console. The Sportage now features four rows of buttons under the centre touchscreen, with three of them dedicated to occupant comfort.
If you have ever tried to drill down menus and submenus to operate a feature you use frequently, the design on the Sportage will be your best friend.
My top-of-the-line tester offered a wealth of nice-to-have features for Canada’s climate, including heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
The cabin feels less utilitarian and more upscale than before, with materials a cut above.
There is no shortage of the latest driver aids, including lane-departure warning and autonomous emergency braking. There is also rear cross-traffic alert and a blind-spot detection system that includes an audible as well as a visual alert should you change lanes and it detects a vehicle in your blind spot. Note that it only works when you indicate your intention to change lanes by activating your turn signal.
In the compact SUV segment, the Sportage is slightly smaller than the competition nose-to-tail. While this makes it easier to park, it falls behind the competition in the volume of cargo it can hold — although it is an improvement over the last generation. With the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded, the Sportage can fit now 1,703 litres of cargo, up 156 litres from the last iteration.
Despite only a modest increase of 30 millimetres to the vehicle’s wheelbase, the added space has transformed the formerly snug rear seats into a more welcoming environment for adults.
In the past, the Kia Sportage was not always the first name to come to mind when shopping for an affordable compact SUV. That all can change in light of this year’s refinements.
