South Korean automakers continue making forward strides with products merging value and a quality build. One such offering is the newly tweaked 2011 Kia Sportage.
Several rivals compete with the venerable five-door in the compact, car-based sport utility segment combining good fuel economy, versatility and ease of driving. Sportage is designed for on-road travel competing with Toyota 's RAV4 and segment sales leader Honda CR-V rather than vehicles like the off-road-capable Jeep Wrangler.
In the 2011 model year, Sportage receives a complete redesigned boasting a longer (by three and a half inches), wider and slightly lower platform than its 2010 counterpart. It's also the first compact crossover/SUV offering an optional air cooled driver's seat. Another cool nuance is a glove box with an air conditioning vent chilling contents when desired. The 2011s began drifting into dealers in August of 2010. Kia Motors America is also the official partner of the NBA involved with 16 basketball franchises including the 2011 world champion (let's dream) Chicago Bulls. In addition, Kia has a regional business office in Lombard.
A very competent, 2.4-liter four-cylinder comes standard in three current trims (a newly added Base, LX and EX) generating an impressive 176 horsepower. It's available with a wonderful new six-speed automatic transmission sporting seamless gear shifts, imitating the smoothness of a continuously variable transmission. This advanced transmission first appeared in Kia's 2011 mid-size Sorrento SUV/crossover. This upgraded automatic is found in LX and EX trims while a six-speed manual comes standard in Base. The V-6 engine available in 2010 has been dropped, but the new 2.4 dual overhead cam produces more horsepower than the out-going V-6. Later in the model year, Kia adds an SX trim with an all-new 2.0-liter turbo engine. The current naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder is available in front wheel drive and all-wheel in LX and EX. Expect 22 miles per gallon city and 31 highway with the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission. This adds up to six more highway miles than the outgoing 2.0-liter four cylinder with the old-school four-speed automatic.
Beginning this year, Kia started producing vehicles at its first U.S. assembly plant in West Point Georgia (although Sportage is built in South Korea). Parent company Hyundai, also based in South Korea, took a controlling interest in Kia in 1998. As with all Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the powertrain warranty includes one of the longest durations: 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever arrives first.
The two-row, five-passenger Sportage includes a cadre of safety nuances including driver and front passenger air bags, front seat mounted side air bags, side curtain air bags, traction control, stability control, down hill brake control, antilock brakes and active front headrests. Standard in LX and EX are turn signal blinkers built into side view mirrors, once the privy of expensive European sedans. Optional in LX and EX is a radar-sensing backup camera feed with audible reverse warning beeps, silence able via a dashboard button if desired. Sportage earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Top Safety pick in the compact SUV category. Ratings are based on results from frontal, side and rear impact tests.
Kia smartly keeps the compact Sportage a two-row product. Some small cute utes like the RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander offer a third row, but only small tykes find it somewhat inviting. Cloth seating is standard but leather seating surface is an EX option. For more cargo room, rear seatbacks fold onto seat cushions with a 60/40 split although not completely flat. When prone, the larger portion includes a fold down arm rest with dual cup holders. No rear ventilation controls are offered. Rear doors open wide enough for adequate leg entry. Now slightly wider, Sportage is more capable of carting three adults in back for short durations. Heated front seats and push-button start are optional only in EX.
Since Kia targets a younger and younger-at-heart audience, compact disc player, SIRIUS Satellite radio, auxiliary and USB ports for connecting with portable personal players and Bluetooth wireless connectivity come standard.
Pricing of our EX front-wheel-drive tester started at $23,295. Two option packages, a $1,500 in-dash navigation/rear view backup camera system (optional in LX and EX) and $3,000 premium leather package (leather seat trim, air-cooled driver's seat, sunroof, rear sonar) brought the bottom line to $28,490 including a $695 destination hit. Base models check in at $18,295 while LX starts at $20,295.
Kia's design studio in California created the eye-catching exterior with the American consumer in mind. Large 18 inch tires gives the EX a larger stance than other trims. Sixteen-inchers are standard with Base. The side belt line is notably higher in the redesign, with shorter windows and higher side door panels. Both headlight and tail light housings are narrower now when compared with the 2010. Side view mirrors incorporate an arrowhead shape. Despite diminished-sized windows, drivers still have good perception in all directions. A single exhaust comes standard while a tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof is optional in EX. A rear spoiler comes with EX while an LX option.
A well executed redesign coupled with a ride gravitating towards a smooth luxury glide rather than sports-handling. Brakes don't immediately jolt, but provide a comfortable foot throw. The four-cylinder provides enough merging confidence when tacking the I-355 Tollway or Interstate 294.
The hood props open with an assist from a swing rod. Fluids are marked accordingly and the ground is actually visible through the relatively uncluttered engine compartment. The back hatch, hinged at the top, is strictly manually operated, no power option. The exterior handle is lower than most rivals and takes a second or two to locate. When opened, head clearance for those 6-foot 2-inches and shorter is available. The flat, carpeted cargo panel floor lifts up to a partitioned storage area for tools, flairs, or other items. Below is a temporary spare and jack.
Inside, a foot-operated parking brake opens up the area between the front bucket seats for two inline cup holders with side rails. Dual climate zones (EX only) have temperature controlled by dials while buttons control fan speed and direction. Better sound insulation makes the 2011 quieter than the outgoing 2010. Two power outlets in front and one in back keep portable electronic devices humming. The cooling glove box is optional in LX and standard in EX. Standard across the board are secondary steering wheel audio buttons and cruise control on the steering wheel face. A second-row DVD entertainment system is not offered. All four doors include cup holders. Nice head room in front and back. Dashboard composite materials are harder to the touch then some rivals opting for a softer surface. The EX steering wheel is leather wrapped while the two other trims have a polyurethane cover. The manually-operating tilt and telescope steering column (standard in EX) took some effort to wrestle into place.
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