2011 Kia Sportage Review, Specs and Comparisons

2011 Kia Sportage Specs, Comparisons, Prices and Reviews

2011 KIA SPORTAGE EX FWD
Review
By Steve Purdy
TheAutoChannel.com
Detroit Bureau

This third-generation Sportage compact, front-wheel drive crossover has come a long way since the first generation’s introduction as a cheap and tawdry little conveyance. Though undistinguished in style or design the second generation was vastly improved over the first. This one is another order of magnitude better in every way.

We’ve seen in the past three years or so an amazing transformation of just about every vehicle in the Kia and Huundai lineups, and this Sportage is a perfect example. Both brands came into the US as the cheapest vehicles in their respective segments. Once established, they then became the best bargain with decent content and better price than the competition. Now they are both still excellent value propositions but considerably upscale from where they were last gen.

Look at this new Sportage; dramatic, innovative, stylish and distinct. In contrast to the smooth, simple lines of the last Sportage this one uses edgy flowing lines, blacked-out details and forward-looking contours to make its design statement. For those who pay attention to automobiles Kia has begun to establish its own look and personality, exemplified by this small CUV.

To describe the style inside we could just rewrite the preceding paragraph. I’ll just add that ingress and egress are easy even for a big guy like me. I didn’t bump my cap on the door sill. The seats are firm and comfortable. The controls are simple and intuitive. And the materials, fit and finish are impeccable. You’ll not mistake it for a BMW or Benz but you’ll also not be reminded of the previous Sportage. It’s also very quiet inside even on rough roads at high speeds.

Interior volume and cargo space are adequate, but not class leading. Behind the second row seats we can stow 26.1 cubic-feet of stuff and if we fold the 60/40 split seats we have 54.6 cubic feet.

Folks who spend much of their driving time on rough roads, though, might find Sportage’s suspension a bit stiff. If you are mostly on good roads it’s just fine. In fact the suspension tuning makes it feel quite sporty, I thought. Fully independent, the suspension is of conventional front strut, rear multi-link design.

In the beginning a single engine/transmission combination was offered in all models except that a 5-speed manual came standard in the Base model. This 2.4-liter, DOHC, 16-valve engine has variable valve timing. With just 176 horsepower it’s not as technology-laden as some of its competitors but manages an EPA rating of 22-mpg in the city and 31 on the highway with the new 6-speed automatic transmission. Not long after the launch of the Sportage a 2-liter turbo engine making 260 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque was added as an SX version. I’ve not driven that one, but can’t wait to do so.

I thought the performance was thoroughly adequate. I did not test it with a full load of people or cargo and expect under those conditions it might feel a bit tepid. For normal, every-day use the 2.4 with 6-speed automatic would make most owners quite happy. Towing capacity is listed at 2,000 pounds so you could even tow a camper, small boat or trailer if you like.

Sportage has earned the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick honors with 5-stars for front and side impact as well as roll-over protection. Airbags all around will pop out in a crisis and the chassis dynamics will go a long way to prevent little mistakes from becoming big ones.

Sportage comes in four trim levels beginning with the Base at $18,295 with front-wheel drive. From there LX, EX and SX models come in both front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. The top of the line SX all-wheel drive shows a base price of $27,295. At every level the content is impressive.

Our test car is the front-wheel drive EX model with the navigation and premium leather packages. The former adds $1,500 to the ticket and the latter adds and even $3,000. From the base price of $23,295 it all adds up to $28,490 including the $695 destination charge.

Warranty covers the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles and the whole car for 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Compare, content, style, performance, and whatever else is important to you and I’ll bet you find the Sportage a good value.