You might think of Kia as a budget brand
but the new Sportage might change your mind, this is a nice rig folks.
Americans love their compact crossovers it's the most competitive segment these days
ford escapes and Honda CR-Vs are everywhere Toyota's RAV4 is the most popular passenger
vehicle sold in America with the fifth generation Sportage, Kia wants a larger slice of that pie
though historically it's no slouch selling nearly 2 million copies since going on sale in 1993.
Gen 5 doesn't just look different it has a whole new bag of tricks.
Sportage has always been a big deal for Kia now it's even bigger.
Literally. Over seven inches longer a half an inch wider and
taller the wheelbase has been stretched about three inches for more interior space. This sets
it apart from Seltos. It's now based on the same architecture as the three row Sorento.
The fifth generation storage is transitioning from
one and smallest in the segment to one of the largest in the segment.
I'm attending an event in Palm Springs, California. Clearly Sportage has more aggressive
styling now. Kia's new design language called "Opposites United" is described in the press
material as "smooth soft surfaces offset by rugged shear forms". It's svelt and chunky, a much more
forceful look than the bulbous generation four. There's the brand's tiger nose motif just below
Kia's swoopy new logo. The matte paint is lovely but must be hand washed. Apparently buyers sign
an agreement that they understand this. Also i like that the wiper is hidden away, nice touch.
For now, Sportage sports 2 powertrains- a standard gas 4-cylinder model that we're driving in
P-Pro models, and in the mid-level EX all-wheel drive model that i'm driving on the highway,
a turbocharged-4 hybrid. The hybrid can be had as a front driver in some models too.
A plug-in hybrid version is coming soon for those looking to dip their toes into the ev lifestyle.
It takes anxiety out of EV range anxiety with a more robust 261 horsepower supercharged powertrain
and an estimated 32 miles of all electric range.
First up is the hybrid which is the more powerful of the two. It's 1.6-liter turbo 4 and a 44
kilowatt electric motor combine for a total of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
The transmission is a six-speed not a CVT and it gets paddle shifters. Unlike the RAV4 hybrid,
the rear wheels are not driven by electric motors. Both sportage engines use an all-wheel drive
system with electric hydraulic coupling. There's a center locking differential and drive modes,
of course there are drive modes. Notice that the cluster look changes with different gauges.
Not only does the hybrid have more horsepower it's got electric motors
that deliver a lot of torque off the line so it is faster and it feels faster.
I'll guesstimate 0 to 60 in just over seven seconds. So yeah you pull away
with the electric motor the gas engine feathers in very nicely,
it's slightly rubbery but it certainly doesn't feel like a continuously variable transmission.
Shifts are silky smooth you might not even notice them. These are the gas prices in
California so while the hybrid powertrain adds thirteen hundred dollars to the price tag,
the EPA fuel economy average is 38 mpg with all-wheel drive. It's 25 mpg for the gas
only model so the hybrid is significantly more efficient than the gas only model the only problem
is you can't get the hybrid in the more off-road capable models like X-Line and X-Pro so you're
gonna have to make a choice. Nearly all miles on all vehicles are on roads like this not trails,
I'll be the voice of reason. And on the tarmac this setup doesn't disappoint. The recommended
speed limit through all these curves is about 35 40 miles an hour i'm taking it at 55 or 60 without
any issues at all. Sportage does have a bit of a sporty edge, the steering weight is nice there's a
little bit of road feel not gobs and gobs but the ride quality is comfortable. It's not overly harsh,
it's what mainstream buyers want. The 18-inch wheels on this EX model absorb bumps quite nicely
and visibility is quite good, even rearward. Sometimes the transition from regenerative
braking to the actual physical disc brakes is kind of on the lumpy side when it comes to hybrids and
evs. Sportages is actually pretty good, nice and smooth you won't really feel that switch over.
Let's check out the interior i was driving an all-wheel drive EX hybrid model, this cabin belongs
to the top trim SX Prestige hybrid that stickers for thirty seven thousand four hundred dollars.
Both are nicely executed, I consider the ambience in here best in class
or at least tied with Hyundai Tucson. Door releases have a hefty hardware look
and feel, there are the usual door pulls in the armrests and these extra nubs for less of a reach.
All but the lowest LX version have this dual 12 inch display setup fused to look like one. Cows
will be happy that Kia has made this a leather free zone, there's this synthetic stuff or cloth.
Here the chairs are heated vented comfortable and supportive. Top trim models get a very useful
camera system to help keep the Sportage dent free, it's similar to the kind in luxury vehicles.
Like EV6, this control panel switches between the HVAC and interface shortcuts. That means this knob
toggles between the driver's temperature and the sound system volume. I'm not a fan.
The user interface is quite easy to navigate with a straightforward layout and excellent response.
Good graphics too. Yes there's a wireless charge pad, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
are standard but only some Sportages allow you to use those two wirelessly. This one needs a cord.
The eight-speaker harman kardon system sounds, terrific base is tight and accurate never boomy.
Time for some fun. Kia has brought us to a remote area to try the capability of
X-Pro models. There's also an X-Line, just know that X-Pro wears bf goodrich all-terrain rubber and
the drive modes are tuned for rugged duty. X-Line and X-Pro are strictly all-wheel drive. They get
a different interior treatment too with synthetic wood to go with the synthetic leather. So if you're
really going to go off-road you might consider the X-Pro because it has more capable off-road tires
and we all know that tires are really important. Plus it has extra ground clearance about an inch
and a half so this is more capable. Both X-Line and X-Pro are powered exclusively by a naturally
aspirated 2.5 liter inline four-cylinder that puts out 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.
Cog swaps are done with an eight-speed automatic, a lever not a dial, and
manual shifts are done here. There are no steering wheel paddles.
So our first test is a hill ascent and about
halfway up i'm going to stop. The hill holder keeps Sportage in place
and starting back up no wheel spin whatsoever. Modern electronics are amazing the tires help too.
So we're at kind of an angle here, it's handling it just fine and here's a spot where
it looks like ground clearance is pretty important... no problem. Ask yourself as i continue on,
will you be driving on terrain like this? Really? Okay this is really quite a downhill
section and i really don't think anybody's gonna take their Sportage on anything like this but wow
wow that really handles it very nicely. FYI, I drove the x-pro on-road for a bit
and was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't more road noise coming off the all-terrain treads.
The stretch we're on right now is like a typical dirt road and the suspension soaks up the bumps,
this is pretty comfortable. Other capability? Both powertrains can tow up to 2000 pounds.
The camera probably doesn't show how rugged this road
is, you do need an off-road machine to get through it.
This is the top trim X-Pro Prestige and with destination it'll set you back $38,000,
that's a fair price for what you get. Kia is not the bargain basement brand it used to be.
This exercise is showing how useful the cameras are there's a whole bunch of different views
these work well. What did we do without cameras before? They're very very helpful.
Is this as capable as a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk? No, probably not but how many people really use
that capability this tackles some fairly tough stuff. You'll just have to know your needs. In everyday
driving this gas-only powertrain can be heard more distinctly pulling away from stop lights
and the transmission shifts are more prominent than the more powerful
and refined hybrid system. Drive both so you're aware of the differences. Truth be told the X-Pro
is probably all the off-road machine that most people need. Only issue is it's not available
with the hybrid powertrain so it's not going to be as fuel efficient and it's not going to be as
powerful. Let's get back to the practical stuff, the 3.3 inches added to the wheelbase gives NBA
prospects some hope here. Kia claims class-leading rear-seat legroom of 41.3 inches. The seats recline,
not much of a spine to mess with foot room. Both seats get pockets the kids won't fight over those.
There's no separate climate zone adjustable vents will have to do.
I like the bag hooks and the location of the power ports, no need to reach down to the floor.
The seats don't slide for and aft but Sportage will take on three adults as long as they aren't
too hefty. In back choose between maximum hauling space and a little storage room to keep small
things out of sight. And notice the spare? Most models get one. Kia claims class-leading rear cargo
at nearly 40 cubic feet. I have no time to head to Costco for the usual TP trunk test. FYI my camera
bag is a little smaller than a carry-on suitcase. There are premium brand suvs that lack these ,
thanks Kia. I'd like 40 20 40 splits for the seats, have to point that out. I do like that there's up
to 74 cubic feet with the seats dropped and it's not really any different between any of the models.
All right time to sum this up with red light green light. Green light, the fifth generation Sportage is
clearly roomier, more sophisticated and is more useful for families now. The driving dynamics and
comfort nail the mainstream dynamic that people want in this segment. The hybrids fuel economy is
excellent it's the most refined of the two powertrains. X-Pro isn't just for show it adds off-road
worthiness if you need to get to the good hiking trails. Yellow light- the hybrid's fuel economy is
great. Rav4 and Escape hybrids are a skosh better. Android auto and apple carplay are standard but
not wireless on top trim levels. There's lots of room for cargo, how about 40 20 40 split seats Kia?
Red light- I really wish the X-Pro model was available with the hybrid powertrain. I'm not crazy
about the panel that switches between climate controls and interface shortcuts but that's
pretty much it. With seven different models to choose from and eventually three powertrains,
Sportage cuts a wide swath in the fiercely competitive compact crossover market,
It includes crv, escape, equinox, forester, rav4, rogue, tiguan, and tucson. It also brushes up
next to premium offerings from audi cadillac and lexus. Sportage has really really grown up
and a lot of people think of Kia as a budget brand. The reality is it hasn't been that in a long
time it's mainstream now and this is actually a little bit upscale. Seriously. The name might be
familiar but Sportage is now a different machine and one that should be on the test drive list.
On these events i do what i can but time is limited .
I'll point out that there are a lot of new active electronic safety technologies like
automatic emergency braking plus rear cross path detection and braking. Many of these are
standard, this is the press conference we all attended and as you can see in the graphic
there are more of them as you walk up through the trim grades. These things are not very visual
and they're hard to demonstrate you know without the potential of doing damage to a vehicle
or someone getting hurt. I just wanted to let you know there's a lot of new safety tech. This is the
end where i normally leave you guys with a fun fact and i'm going to try i might get blown away
though it's incredibly windy out here. Sportage has always been very very important to Kia,
now it's arguable that this is its most important vehicle because for the last two months that this
fifth generation has been out it's been kia's best selling vehicle. And it can only get better
once they have the plug-in hybrid. I'll try to get to that once i can get my hands on one.
Thanks for watching, remember to subscribe and click notifications, follow me on twitter i'm
very very active there, and if you have a question leave it in the comments. okay
All right, hope you can hear me with all of this wind. That's driven, i'm tom voelk