Kia has expanded its Sportage line-up to include three new diesel models that slot in just above their petrol counterparts in terms of pricing. We attended the media launch in Johannesburg recently to briefly experience the new model. If you're interested in a Sportage but need to sell your current car first, AutoTrader can get you an Instant Offer!
Grade walk
The CRDi Sportage models are available in three trim levels, LX, EX and GT-Line Plus. The entry-level LX comes with cloth-covered seats, a leather-clad steering wheel and gear level, keyless entry/start, dual climate control, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear PDC with a reverse camera, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, front and rear USB ports (A and C), LED headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels and drive modes. Safety items include 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, blind spot monitor, Trailer Stability Assist and Downhill Brake Control.
Moving up to the EX, there is a gloss black front grille, front PDC, 18-inch alloy wheels, combination cloth/leather seats, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, electrically foldable rear seat backs, heated rear seats and rear privacy glass. The flagship diesel is the GT-Line Plus with gloss black exterior accents, scuff plates, alloy inserts for the pedals in the footwell, steering-mounted gearshift paddles, combination leather/suede seats, ambient interior lighting, a panoramic roof and 19-inch alloy wheels. The GT-Line also gets additional safety features such as Lane Follow Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
New powertrain
The diesel powertrain in the Sportage is different from the units in its Hyundai Tucson sibling, displacing 1.6-litres and producing 100kW and 320Nm of torque. The engine is mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Its CO2 emissions are just 129 g/km, while claimed fuel consumption is 6.5 L/100km with a 0-100km/h time of 11.4 seconds and a top speed of 180km/h.
Driving Sportage
We managed to experience the Sportage, in EX guise, for a 60km jaunt around Johannesburg, with a combination of highway and city driving. The first thing that stood out to us was how well integrated the revised diesel motor is with the dual-clutch gearbox, managing slick shifts and ensuring that there is always a sufficient amount of torque for effortless progress. Kia claims a fuel consumption figure of 6.5 L/100km, and we achieved 6.8 L/100k during our drive, making its claims entirely believable.
In terms of ride and handling, the 18-inch rubber with a relatively thick sidewall ensured that the ride quality was commendable, and in keeping with the refinement of the powertrain and the great work Kia has done improving the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) on its product over the past few years. Overall, the CRDi Sportage is a fantastic mid-size SUV and one of the increasingly scarce diesel options within this segment.
Verdict
The R30 000 premium that the diesel variants of the Sportage command over their petrol-powered siblings may be a deterrent for some, however, from our brief encounter with the newcomer, we can state with confidence that the diesel is the pick of the range, providing superior efficiency, better overtaking torque and a surprising amount of powertrain refinement.
Pricing
Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi LX: R 597 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi EX: R 621 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi EX: R 651 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line: R 677 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line Plus: R 705 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi GT-Line Plus: R 735 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line S: R 762 995
