Kia Sportage GT-Line and Sportage KX
While launching the new Sorento, Kia Motors of Malaysia also releases the fourth-gen Sportage. The new Sportage boasts a new revolutionary design over the predecessor while improving aerodynamics. It definitely looks way cooler, wider and concept-ish look for the overall outlook. The Sportage is available in two different trim levels, the base model KX and the high-profile looking GT-Line.
The sexy-looking Sportage GT-Line
The conservative-looking Sportage KX
For starters, the Sportage does come with class-leading safety features like the standard 6 airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and a traction control system for both trim levels. Both of them has the same Nu 2.0 litre petrol engine from the predecessor that puts around 155 hp at 6200 rpm with 192 Nm of torque, and mated to a 6 speed automatic gearbox that found in most Kia vehicles. Too bad the 1.6 GDI turbocharged engine do not come to our shores. Sigh. Hope Kia Malaysia listens to this and bring the turbo ones in the future. Since there is a small number of the 4WD version of the Sportage previously, Kia only bring the front-wheel drive version for it.
The HID headlights with auto levelling is available for the GT-Line, the normal KX version only has the halogen headlights
Welcome lights are standard too
Stunning-looking 19" wheels
only applicable to the GT-Line as well. The KX only gets the 17" wheels.
The interior design is also more evolving than before. Some of the climate control buttons look nearly identical to the predecessor.
This particular GT-Line has a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters and dual-zone automatic climate control system. KX only gets a conventional ones and single-zone manual air-conditioning system.
Both KX and GT-line do have an 8 speaker system from JBL. Pretty neat system for this compact SUV.
Hill assist control and drive selection mode (Sport, Eco, Normal) are standard for both trims.
And even gets a small and coloured multi-info display.
Room for the back seat is also overhauled as the length of the Sportage increased. Surprisingly for a compact SUV, this is the top notch for it.
After testing out the Sorento, it's time to try the Sportage.
How is it like to drive?
Taking the new Sportage out for a spin is like taking out a pretty and fashionable girl in the city. If you drive this around your workplace, I bet your colleagues will attract to it, just like it's predecessor back in the day. The Sportage is a good all-rounder to be honest. As I mentioned previously, it still has the old engine and it is not really underpowered, if you compare it to the HR-V. The handling is way better due to lack of four-wheel drive system, as this car is mainly focused for city driving. I personally like the flat-bottomed steering wheel because it makes the Sportage to be sportier and aggressively-matched to the design. Besides that, the 8 speaker sound system by JBL makes a sophisticating sound and surrounds the cabin like a musical hall, perfect for every ears of drivers and passengers.
At the end of the drive, I suspect that the Sportage is one of the cool-looking compact SUV over the HR-V and the outdated ASX, but it really come close to the CX-3 when it comes to design. Power-wise, is a par to most of them except for the CX-3 when it comes to torque, in the particular segment.
Pricing-wise, the Sportage starts around RM 121,888 for the KX while the sexy-looking GT-Line costs around RM 141,888.
Special thanks to Naza Kia Motors for letting me reviewing the new Kia Sorento and the Sportage.
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