Kia Sportage SX FWD: Cute with a kick.
Price: $30,990 as tested ($25,795 base).
Marketers' pitch: "Designed for the next level."
Conventional wisdom: Kia used to be synonymous with "designed for the previous level." Not anymore, as the Sportage joins the Optima, Sorento, and Soul as Consumer Digest "Best Buys."
Reality: Forget what you knew about Kia, Sportages, and dismal fuel economy in small SUVs in general and Kias in particular.
For 2012: The Sportage was completely redesigned for the 2011 model year. It carries over mainly unchanged for 2012, though it gets new suspension components for improved ride and handling.
The test drive: Who would have expected Kia to come so far? Certainly not Mr. Driver's Seat.
I've found other Kia models - the Soul, the Forte, and the Sedona - to be a little rougher than the average car. But the Sportage - at least in the 30-grand SX version I tested - is refined and handles and drives well.
Passing lane: The 2.0 four-cylinder turbo puts the "Sport" in Sportage. The power made it among the quickest vehicles I've tested. The 2011 model I tested was a little hard to control when floored; new suspension components for 2012 may have addressed this nuisance. But even as is, it's not a deal-breaker. An all-wheel-drive version likely offers more stability as well.
The six-speed automatic TipTronic shifter actually shifts the gears; some larger models have built-in overrides that take away some of the driving enjoyment.
In the snow: If you're shopping for snow traction for your little SUV, the 235/55/18 tires on the SX may not help you much. They're probably too wide and too short to help when the weather turns harsh, although there's no testing this theory in weather like we've had.
The bare-bones Base model has narrower and taller 215/70/16s, and starts at $18,500, but you're stuck with a stick. Starting at $20,800, you can get an automatic and 225/65/17s, roughly splitting the difference. (A four-wheel-drive model can be had for as little as $22,300.)
In any of these other models, you'll be powered by a non-turbocharged 2.4-liter four, though, so it'll be a little slower.
Inside: Rear legroom is good but not stupendous, about on par with a Tiguan or Forester. We fit Sturgis kids 2.0 through 4.0 (18-, 17-, and 11-year-olds) back there for a shopping trip and got raves on legroom, and everyone thought the seating width was good.
Luggage capacity is kind of minimal. There's not a lot of height under the pullout shelf, and it's a short space. And the short, wide storage tray underneath is kind of useless.
Outside: I found the test model in signal red to be a fine example of Korean architecture, looking like a big Ford Fiesta, but Mrs. Passenger Seat thought it unattractive.
Good controls: Everything is well-placed and all the controls are logical, so you'll be able to change the radio station or the heater setting easily.
The infotainment center ($1,500 for premium sound and Sirius satellite radio) has knobs for turning on and tuning in, and separate buttons to switch from radio to CD to satellite. But turning the dial for the radio station does not in fact set the station, so you have to look back to see where you are and then press the button, requiring a critical second glance.
The upscale interior is quite nice, with comfortable leather seats ($3,000, which also gets the front seats heated, the driver's seat cooled, heated outside mirrors, and adds sunroof, back-up warning system, and start button).
Stopping for gas: The trip computer reported 26 m.p.g. in a mix of driving. I'd imagine the regular four-cylinder gets a little better, so this is a winner among the small SUVs I tested. And from an unlikely corner: Kias have historically been a little underpowered and piggish.
Where it's built: South Korea.
How it's built: J.D. Power calls Kia average overall for dependability. The 2011 Sportage got a predicted reliability slightly higher.
Courtesy of articles.philly.com
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