Shopping for a diminutive five-door crossover? A benevolent bounty awaits interested partakers as this category continues its popularity surge with just about every automaker marketing at least one submission.
Kia's 2018 five-door Sportage stands out from the throng with a newish, next-generation redesign coupled with an impressive powertrain warranty, reaching 10 years or 100,000 miles for the original purchaser.
Crossover construction contributes to generous headroom for all five seating positions. Slightly elevated seating positions aid egress and ingress while providing captains with commanding road perceptions.
In the 2017 model year, Kia completely redesigned its long-standing five-door Sportage. This fourth-generation effort got stocked with many electronic nuances not long ago the domain of pricier, luxury transports. Lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and parking sensors gently guide drivers away from potential trouble before situations escalate. Also onboard to start the fourth, a fully-redesigned independent front suspension elevating the ride experience from frumpy to fabulous.
Kia markets the 2018 Sportage crossover as a subcompact, but last year's Gen-Four redesign added additional length, creating an ambiance tilting towards a compact designate. Fitting three adult riders in row two constitutes a probability, not a pipe dream. Ride and handling tilt towards comfort rather than cutting-edge sportiness thanks to a soothing multi-link rear suspension.
Back in 1993, when the first-generation Sportage entered consciousness, the South Korean automaker prioritized pricing to entice budget-minded clientele, in-line with Kia's business model of the time. Fast forward to 2018, and while pricing remains competitive, overall quality and content offerings have reached levels of respectability. Sportage continues as Kia's longest-running nameplate here in the states.
Through April, Sportage sales tallied 27,112, up 29 percent from the same period in 2017. Sales in calendar year 2017 reached 72,824, down about 8,000 units from the previous year. The thoroughly modern Sportage not only contents with diminutive crossover competition from other manufacturers, but also from within its ranks. The funk-a-delic, urban-inspired Soul boasts a boxier five-door frame and a marketing cadre of furry rodents with attitude. More than one million Souls have sold in the U.S. since its 2009 debut.
Three Sportage trims (LX, EX, SX) and two engine selections return from 2017. All offer the choice of front wheel or an automatically-adjusting all-wheel drive ('Dynamax' in Kia speak), a design with front-drive bias until detecting slippage, when extra rear grip steps into play. A six-speed automatic transmission comes standard across the board with top-tier SX the sole trim with steering wheel paddle shifters allowing manual movement of the six forward gears sans a foot clutch.
Updates for 2018 remain trim level relegated, with no engine or mechanical changes. A technology package optional in mid-grade EX, now becomes available in base LX (blind spot detection, lane departure warning, rear traffic alert). These safety goodies come standard in SX. Also, EX trims add an available sport appearance package along with heated rear seats. Top-trim SX adds an electric parking brake standard.
No alternative powertrains (gas-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid, all electric) don the Sportage portfolio. Instead, Kia markets the Niro, a slightly shorter crossover sporting a gas-electric hybrid engine or a plug-in hybrid-electric version. The mid-size Sorrento rounds out Kia's plethora of car-based, uni-body crossovers.
A 2.4-liter, naturally-aspirated, inline four-cylinder engine returns standard in LX and EX trims, generating 181 horses. For more oomph, opt for the 2.0-liter turbo standard in SX upping the power anti to 240 (237 horses with all-wheel drive). Both engines suffice with regular, 87-octane fuel to quench the thirst of the 16.4 gallon fuel tank. Fuel economy rates average, not class leading.
A turbocharger runs off recycled exhaust gases spinning a pinwheel-inspired turbine to pump concentrated air into the engine. Turbocharging increases horsepower output without adding undue weight.
The lowest-priced model, a front-drive LX starts at $23,600. Opting for the top-shelf SX eliminates pesky option selections (save for a couple choice exterior colors) as it's virtually fully loaded. Our all-wheel-drive SX started at $34,400.
A colorful eight-inch in-dash touch screen centers the dashboard, angled ever-so-slightly to enhance visual and tactile ergonomics. Lower trims offer a seven-inch size. Helping navigate this multi-function display is a horizontal row of well-marked buttons indicating map, navigation, radio, etc. Below resides two rows of buttons dictating many HVAC needs. Two circular buttons controlling dual-zone temperature flank these center buttons. A final row (when equipped) includes higher-end options such as heated steering wheel and front bucket seats.
The center console's bottom sports an inlet with portable electronics in mind with two 12-volt outlets and auxiliary/USB plug ports. Sportage includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard in all trims, a bonus for those seeking a seamless connection with portable electronic device tutorials and center touch screen.
To the left of the manually-operated tilt and telescoping steering column are push plates for operating the power lift gate (standard in SX) and deactivating lane assist or traction control if so desired. Right of the steering column resides an electronic push-button start standard in EX and SX.
An easily-interpreted instrument panel includes two circular analog gauges (left-side tachometer, right-side speedometer). Each orb entrusts a bottom insert for easy info gleaning (left-side heat gauge, right-side fuel indicator). A digital center multi-panel screen interacts with a steering wheel select button.
All trims include high-tech advanced driver assist systems such as electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist and downhill brake control, impressive for an entry-type offering.
Top trim SX rates as the sole trim with high-intensity Bi-Xenon headlamps with dynamic bending lights coupled with be-jeweled LED-style fog lamps below. Lower trims get by quite adequately with bi-projection headlights. Headlight housing flanks an elongated bow-tie front grill design with the oval Kia medallion resting above mid-center.
Another illuminating effect exclusive to SX; bright-connecting taillight trim teaming with dual exhausts (a single pipe adorns LX and EX). A panoramic sunroof with power shade comes standard in SX while optional in EX.
While chrome trim surrounds side window trim in the lower two trims, SX opts for a satin-like window trim. Alloy-wheel-size increases as one moves up the trim ladder with 17-inchers adorning LX, 18-inchers on EX and 19-inch big boys with SX. The rear lift gate opens with ample head clearance for those six-feet two inches and shorter.
Not all vehicles include spare tires, temporary or conventional sized. Sportage is no exception with top-tier SX the only trim including a standard compact spare tire. Second-row backrests fold with a 60/40 split, opening up 60.1 cubic feet of very flexible cargo room.
2018 Kia Sportage
Price as tested: $34,400
Wheelbase: 105.1 inches
Length: 176.4 inches
Width: 73.0 inches
Height: 64.8 inches
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 237
Curb weight: 3,997 pounds
Powertrain warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 20 mpg city/ 23 mpg highway
Assembly: South Korea
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