See why I think the new Kia Sportage is very capable, comfortable and fun to drive
So I recently got to test drive the new and improved (not very new but just go with it) Kia Sportage on the windy roads to Janda Baik from Glenmarie and back and if I had to sum up the experience in one word, it would be … bumpy. Jokes aside, the new Kia Sportage is actually a very capable and comfortable ride, surprisingly so as on the surface it seems mild but this car was full of surprises.
Power And Suspension
Okay, let’s start with perhaps what I thought is the most surprising aspect of the Kia Sportage, its suspension. Also for the sake of this review, I should mention that the variant I tested was the 1.6T High variant in the two wheel drive setup and I feel that is the one most of you would want so keep that in mind.
All right, let’s get into it. So the suspension seemed rather soft to me when I first got into the car and granted on the highway and most town roads, this car does absorb bumps very well and is tuned for comfort, however, when we got to the windy b roads of Janda Baik, the duality of the car caught me off guard.
Not only did the Kia Sportage actually feel super nimble around the bends, but it was also more than powerful enough to push this relatively heavy albeit, humbly sized SUV. I’m not saying its small, far from it, but it is not the biggest thing out there. This is where the 2.0-litre N.A variant would struggle but for highway cruising, both are great.
Moreover, the Kia Sportage managed to handle the turns with very minimal body roll and we also managed to keep the entire convoy going at a decent speed meaning the car was very simple to drive and intuitive to all of us, which should mean it is also going to be intuitive enough to the average Malaysian as well. Not bad for a 1.6 turbo, eh?
Tech And Comfort
Okay, I promised myself this would be a relatively short review so let’s try and keep things brief, shall we? The Kia Sportage is not the newest SUV on the market right now, but it is packed to the gills with all the latest tech anyone would want. From a very seamless and reliable wireless Android Auto to a curved twin screen setup for the driver display and infotainment, nothing is lacking in this car.
Speaking of which, all the systems are housed within these twin screens yet you can still control things like your air conditioning direction and even volume for your entertainment are controlled through external rotary knobs, which I prefer as fiddling with a screen while driving can be dangerous. Of course, the Kia Sportage is not without its quirks.
So while the 2.0-litre variant comes with a traditional gear shifter (a lever style selector), the 1.6 comes with a rotary dial that you would twist. This is still a bit weird to me as I still prefer the tried and trusted lever system better because it just feels more natural to me, but hey, I’m sure someone out there likes the dial better.
Another odd feature in the car, regardless of the variant is the lack of a handbrake lever or button. Instead the car simply engages the parking brake on its own when you shift to ‘P.’ A truly mind boggling choice in my opinion, but I’m sure Kia had a good reason for this and to be fair, it is a good conversation starter as well.
Driving Experience
As mentioned before, on the highway, the Kia Sportage is very comfortable and just powerful enough to go when you need it to. However, the engine and gearbox setup tend to feel a bit more natural when simply cruising along at lower speeds so if you intend on getting a sports car, look elsewhere, but as a family car, the Sportage does not disappoint.
The NVH is also decent as very minimal road and wind noise was heard in the cabin. Speaking about the cabin, it is deceptively spacious and very practical, with many cup holders and ample space available. There were 3 of us and all our luggage was in the back seat with us but despite this, it never felt cramped at all.
On top of that, the boot is also super spacious and the seats can be reclined very far back making it way more comfortable in the back seats when you do not have a lot of luggage to lug around back there. I’d wager a weekend getaway for a family of 4 will be more than comfortable enough with all the luggage packed into the boot.
Convenience
Being a modern vehicle, the Kia Sportage comes equipped with USB ports on the front seats as well as the dashboard so everyone in the car can charge their electronic devices without anyone being left out. It also has rear cupholders in the middle seat but can easily take 3 medium sized adults sitting abreast back there too.
Safety
Concluding this review is the safety features. As annoying as they are, these features are very important. Having said that, the Kia Sportage comes with a host of safety features like lane keep assist, auto braking and the like. Every feature one has come to expect is there and of course, it is more than safe for the entire family too.
Conclusion
So there you have it, if you are looking for a stylish, sporty but also comfortable ride for the family that can also take you on the kind of roads a sports car would never be able to, then look no further than the Kia Sportage.
2024 Kia Sportage 1.6T High 2WD
Engine: 4-Cylinder Gamma II direct injection engine
Capacity: 1,598cc
Power: 177 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 265 Nm @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
Transmission: 7-Speed DCT With e-Shifter
0-100km/h: 8.8 seconds
Top speed: 190km/h
Price: RM175,999