Kia Sportage LX Urban 2022 Car Review

Model: Kia Sportage LX Urban
Price Range: From $39,990 - $62,990+ ORC
Body: Style Medium SUV
Status: Currently available

Kia dealerships have experienced unprecedented demand for the all-new Kia Sportage LX Urban, no doubt thanks to it hitting the New Zealand market last year with a sharp entry price of just $34,990 + ORC, which has just recently increased to $39,990 + ORC.

“We were quietly confident we were onto a real winner with the all-new Sportage, but the response from Kiwi motorists has been beyond our expectations,” said Todd McDonald, Managing Director of Kia New Zealand.

Following the success of their other two smaller vehicles the Kia Stonic and Seltos, which were also launched with a hot pre-order price strategy, the Kia Sportage looks to be following suit. The Kia Sportage LX has focused on a few crucial factors for customers - space, comfort and of course safety.

Modern unique looks

The fifth generation Kia Sportage is far more grown up and modern looking than its predecessor. The talented design team have taken inspiration from their hero model - the EV6, so you get crisp lines that ripple along the refined body, while the rear of the vehicle emphasises its wide stance, which is accentuated with its prominent rear haunches.

From the front, the all-new Sportage has an intricate design form with its detailed black grille. Kia’s classic tiger-nose grille gives a polished look and is garnished with silver plastic accents.

There are also distinctively fashioned boomerang-shaped LED DRLs (daytime running lamps), which in turn create solid boundary lines for the striking Matrix LED headlamps - yes entry model included. The results are a bold futuristic look, even on the entry model.

A slick raked roof line leads you to the spoiler and rear lamps. These razor rear lamps are connected by a slim horizontal bar design. There is also a hidden rear wiper - much like the Hyundai Tuscon, under the subdued rear spoiler, giving the all-new Sportage a stunningly wide and sleek impression from the back.

Decent performance

The Kia Sportage LX model features a 2.0-litre MPI D-CVVT engine that produces 115kW and 192Nm of torque. This might not seem the most exciting but for daily driving it’s completely fine. There are also several modes that can be selected to enhance performance - you can choose between Eco, Normal or Sport, and there is another final option called Smart that adapts automatically to driver demands.

In terms of consumption, it is rated at 8.1L/100km and has a C02 emissions rating of 184g/km. During our review, which was a mixture of inner city and motorway driving with a family of four, we came quite close to this figure.

With an electric motor driven power steering (C-MDPS) setup, we found the steering was reasonable but perhaps the lock was a tad small with this models’ wide rear haunches. It’s quite tricky to find a model these days with a conventional six-speed auto in the medium SUV market, as many manufacturers have flocked toward CVT (Constantly Variable Transmissions).

Additional features, which we were not expecting to see, were the hill descent control and a full size 17-inch alloy spare, which were both welcome additions.

Spacious interior

The interior has two digital displays, one for the cluster and one for the infotainment. At the entry level these are not quite as lavish as the upper spec variants, but will please most buyers. The displays are nestled between the air vents, and it forms the heart of the Sportage’s spectacular cabin.

One of the advantages with the entry model is the 8” infotainment system’s Apple CarPlay is wireless on the entry level model, where all other variants of the Sportage aside from the LX diesel, require a wired connection.

The long display bezel that houses the cluster and infotainment gives the Sportage cockpit a wide appearance, plus the three-dimensional air vents also add to the modern vibe of the relaxed cabin.

Optimally positioned for the driver and front passenger is an ergonomic centre console that combines convenience with luxury. It is accented with a high-end gloss finish, plus the console provides storage, and cupholders. The entry level model transmission isn’t a shift-by-wire control system, so you have a regular, slightly stubby, automatic shifter -reminiscent of an aircraft thrust controller.

The Sportage interior feels special with textured panel inlays, hefty silver door handles and a robust rear hatch handle. These small touches combine to make the cabin feel well put together.

Traveling in comfort is easy as the Sportage is now an impressive 175mm longer than previous models, the all-new Sportage offers class-leading legroom and headroom. We found the rear seats incredibly spacious, fitting three adults with ease, no need for a shoehorn here.

The Sportage has family in mind with an impressive 543-litres of cargo space, 77-litres more than the previous Sportage. A flat cargo platform can be created effortlessly with the press of a button, there are also a few handy lashing points to secure your cargo. And a useful 12V power jack in the back - perfect for inflating airbeds for a family camping trip.

Impressive safety suite

Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), which helps avoid collisions with stationary vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians in front of your Sportage, or when turning across traffic. This complements Multi Collision Braking (MCB), designed to reduce damage in a nose-to-tail accident.

Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go maintains a set distance from the vehicles ahead. In addition, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Follow Assist (LFA) and Driver Attention Alert (DAA) are all included.

If you are towing, there is (TSA) Trailer Stability Assist, which is a great aid when you have a boat or trailer in tow. All these features keep your Sportage safe and sound. This is an impressive array of safety equipment at this entry level and is great to see that Kia have focused on safety as a priority for this family-orientated vehicle.

Verdict

Kia have spent wisely with the Sportage, and entry level LX really surprised us. It was a cohesive blend of both new and old-school features. There was the modern - use of digital displays and by contrast, the old-school features like the use of a conventional key start system and the traditional six-speed Automatic.

The features we think most customers will like, aside from the price, is how roomy and stylish it is. Although there are many blank spaces where switches would normally be found on higher spec variants, we don’t feel most consumers would complain, as so many other key elements have been executed perfectly.

Pros

• Fantastic price
• Great safety systems
• Roomy and modern

Cons

• Keyless start would have been the icing on the cake.

Safety systems

• Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) - Car, Pedestrian,
• Cyclist & Junction
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) 
• Multi-Collision Brake (MCB)
• Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA)
• Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) - Line / Road Edge
• Lane Follow Assist (LFA)

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