Kia Sportage - Things we love

Sportage has been one of the most reliable vehicles from the house of Kia. The Korean company had first unveiled the Sportage in 1996. Over the years, the car has undergone a lot of changes both in terms of design and specification. The Sportage was launched in UAE in 2016, and the 2018 model remains the same without any major changes. This crossover vehicle has emerged as one of the favourable vehicles in UAE due to its reliability and affordable pricing. However, there are many things to love about the Kia Sportage 2018. So, here are the things that we love about the Kia Sportage.

Design

The design of Sportage breaks the belief about the bland design of the CUVs. On the contrary, Sportage resembles a European SUV with its contoured flanks, smoothly flared wheel arches, and upgraded LED headlamps. The chrome outside handles, the LED rear combination lamps, and the redesigned grilles add to the majestic appearance of the vehicle.

The base variant is available with 17-inch alloy wheels, but 18-inch and 19-inch models are also available. The Sportage is offered in eight different colours – Clear White, Patina Gold, Fiery Red, Mercury Blue, Cherry Black, Mineral Silver, Sparkling Silver, and Snow White Pearl. The Sportage’s design can easily give Mazda CX-5 or Ford Escape a run for their money.

Interiors

The interior design of the Sportage has been developed keeping in mind the varying needs of consumers in 2018. The front dashboard is ergonomically designed and angled towards the driver for better visibility. There is a 4.2-inch LCD display for monitoring the trip details and 5-inch touchscreen audio for entertainment. The storage options include larger glovebox with a cooling option, six-litre centre console, deep cupholders, and four-door pockets.

The cargo space is sufficient with options to fold the rear seat and add extra space. The seats are equipped with heating/cooling option and can be electronically adjusted. The seats are crafted with Saturn black leather complimenting the premium feel. There is also a large panoramic sunroof opening that completes the luxurious feel of the Sportage.

Engine

The Kia Sportage 2018 is offered in three variants which are powered with a 2.0L engine with 156 Hp and 197 Nm of torque, or 2.4L engine with 176 Hp and 228 Nm of torque, or 1.6L turbocharged engine with 174 Hp and 265 Nm of torque. The engine can be paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, while the turbo engine is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The engine is powerful enough for smooth rides on the roads of UAE. The 2018 model offers a better drive than its predecessors. The coefficient drag is down to 0.35cd from 0.37cd, but is still not comparable to competitors such as Ford Escape or Mazda CX-5 which boast of 0.33 cd. The redesigned front suspension ensure better ride off the roads too.

Added Features

Kia has added a number of additional features to improve the driving stability. The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), Parking Assist System (PAS), Auto Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Drive Mode Select (DMS) collectively ensure a pleasant and safe driving experience. Kia has provided six airbags which are located strategically to protect the driver and passenger in the event of a collision.

Additional features that enhance the convenience include the push start button, rear seat ventilation, auto-defogger, power tailgate, and heated steering wheel. Kia claims that the current version is the safest Sportage to date courtesy of its Advanced High Strength Steel, reinforced chassis, and hot-stamping process. For peace of mind, Kia also provides five years/ 150,000 Km warranty.

The base variant of the Kia Sportage 2018 is priced at AED 68,000 which is something that sets the car apart from its competition. The competition Mazda CX-5 is priced at about AED 88,000 and Ford Rogue is priced at AED 89,000. The Kia Sportage is comparatively cheaper in terms of price with negligible compromise in specifications. Besides, several things that we love about this car, the price is certainly a factor that makes us love this car even more.