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Back to April 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 26-04-2012 at 07:00: Kia Sportage SLi Diesel 2012 Test & Review | |
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With so many choices, manufactures have to do special things to get the attention of buyers and just by looking at the Sportage you can tell it is something different. Walking up to the SLi you notice straight from the get go that this is something you want to be seen in. Design is the key to Kia’s new philosophy and they have made no mistakes when the engineers took pen to paper with the all-new Sportage design. The SLi comes standard with 17 inch alloy wheels, many exterior chrome pieces, heated outside door mirrors for the cold and frosty winter days, tinted glass and other add-on parts to finish the look. It sits level and has a rather sleek speedy look that not many other SUV’s have. Once inside the style continues with a leather wrapped steering wheel which includes cruise control and stereo controls. Looking past the wheel, the instruments are well laid out and very easy to read with the radio and clock shown in a soothing red glow. The use of harder plastics for the dash works in this SUV as they are finished extremely well with no squeaks and it gives a tougher feeling overall. Sitting in the cloth covered seats you are able to find a perfect position fast with the 6-way adjustments and lumber support (driver’s seat only) which helps you enjoy the drive as they are comfortable. The seating position is top notch and visibility is good. The rear window is small and the roof slants a lot to the rear, however the view backwards is still reasonable. Sitting in the back is not a problem as there is loads of room for an adult in all directions and the seats are firm but comfortable. The boot space is ample which makes the Sportage practical for everyday use and holidaying. As for engine noise, it is only at idle that you can tell you are behind the wheel of a diesel. When accelerating the engine as a purr rather than a roar. There is also very little in the way of road noise as the suspension takes all the bumps of the terrible Queensland roads. The Sportage SLi comes with an option of two different engines. A petrol 2.4L or 2.0L diesel with only a 6-speed automatic and both are active AWD (part-time with lock mode). The 2.4L offers 130kW and 227Nm but the turbo diesel, one tested, on the other hand offers a modest 135kW but an incredible 392Nm of torque. To put the torque into perspective an Isuzu D-Max 3L turbo has 120kW and 360Nm while a Mitsubishi Triton turbo diesel has 131kW and 400Nm. With these figures matching and bettering some commercial utes but in a vehicle which is more maneuverable, the power is well worth tourqing about. The diesel’s combined fuel consumption is 7.5 L/100km and we were able to achieve this and better throughout the week which we thought was fantastic as we had plenty of power there when we needed it. For the environmentalists out there, the combined CO2 emissions for the diesel are 198 g/km. The drive is one that can be compared to a sedan. The mid-corner speed can be held and traction is not an issue as the AWD system kicks in and keeps the nose pointing in the right direction. Steering wheel feel is light but has good feedback and keeps the driver interested. The passive safety is well and truly here in this SUV with the Sportage offering many airbags, side door impact beams and front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters. The list is long for active safety with all the three letter words pushed into this SUV. ABS (anti-lock braking system) which includes EBD (electronic brake distribution) and BA (brake assist), ESC (electronic stability control), DBC (downhill brake control) and HAC (hill-start assist control), all meaning when driving there are plenty of features working for you. The SLi also comes standard with a rear view camera with mirror display and dusk-sensing automatic headlamps. ADM Opinion The Kia Sportage itself is one of the best SUV’s on the market. Coming along way over time, this generation as certainly made its presence known in Australia and the world. The diesel is a great engine and offers more than enough power and has excellent fuel economy. Aesthetically this is a great looking vehicle inside and out and was a pleasure to be in and seen in. All in all the Sportage SLi is an excellent package and would suit anyone looking for an SUV. Specifications Engine: In-line 4 cyl. E-VGT CRDi 16 valve Likes Dislikes Rating |
The SUV market is one of the most crowded and competitive segments in Australia with so many vehicles to choose from. A strong contender for top spot is the 2012 Kia Sportage, and yes you read correct, top spot. This SUV is filled with features and options, drives great and the best part is that it looks unbelievably good.
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