 | | | |  | | ROADTESTS | | Kia Sportage |  | Magazine - July 2001 | |  | | Sporty, Spunky, Sportage | |  | | | It’s a dilemma that many 4x4 buyers face. | | They want an off-road vehicle that can double as a city commuter. | They want thrifty fuel economy but, traditionally, bundu bashers are renowned for frugal petrol consumption. | | What now? | | The cute Kia Sportage, available locally in a range of three variants, may well provide the solution… | | Ten years ago, the market segment was non-existent. Then suddenly, the demand for sporty utility vehicles (SUVs) exploded. Many of the early compact station wagon type vehicles were luxuriously appointed, boasted eye-catching styling and were equipped with four-wheel-drive. Their popularity increased. And it was not only the intrepid adventurer who was buying them… | | Still, it was only a matter of time before some owners became disillusioned. Trail and error showed that generally, small wagons lacked the capacity for hard off-road work. While they could cope with dirt roads, they couldn’t go where real off-roaders feared to tread. That’s when Korean manufacturer Kia stepped in. | | "Let’s build a sport utility vehicle which complies with all the well-known criteria for SUVs, but give it better off-road ability," they decided. And the Sportage was born… | | Let’s be honest…At first glance, the Sportage does not appear to be a rough and ready bundu basher. But don’t let subtly sporty appearances fool you. In terms of off-road ability, the Sportage is one of the best in the still growing SUV segment of the market. | | No, a serious mountaineer or donga-donnerer it probably isn’t, but the Sportage doesn’t pretend to be one in the first place. Rather, potential buyers get a well-equipped small SUV which, when called upon, can outgun similarly sized rivals in the bush. | | The secret lies in the vehicle’s muscular drivetrain. Unlike many small SUVs, the Sportage is fitted with transfer gearbox and low-range gear ratios, enabling it to overcome the obstacles that could stop lesser-equipped 4x4s in their tracks. And oh yes, when choosing 4x4 mode, you don’t have t get out of the vehicle to lock the front hubs by hand – this happens automatically. | | But doesn’t such a four wheel drive system consume unnecessary fuel under conditions where normal two wheel drive is sufficient? Well, there is yet another advantage the Sportage offers above rivals with permanent four wheel drive – the transfer box allows the driver to choose between two- and four-wheel-drive configurations, exactly as is the case in serious off-roaders that cost a whole lot more. Not only does the facility improve fuel consumption but, in 4x2 mode, the Sportage drives like a sedan. | | The heart of the Sportage is a four-cylinder 2.0liter petrol engine that features double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder known as the FED unit. It is also the only engine of choice for all Sportage derivatives available locally. But don’t complain – it really offers sparkling performance! | | Maximum power is 94kW at 5 300 revs/min, while peak torque of 175Nm is delivered at the 4700 mark. In both the long and short wheelbase Sportage models, the engine drives through a five speed manual gearbox (with power delivered only to the rear wheels in 4x2 mode). Short wheelbase models also offer the choice of a four speed automatic gearbox, again with a transfer case for the selection of low ratios. | | On the road and around town, we found the engine to be quite lively and smooth, offering quick response to driver input. During low-range use in the off-road situation, it was obvious that gear ratios in the transfer box had been well chosen – at idle speed the Sportage could crawl disdainfully over challenging obstacles. | | The shortwheel base model offers comfortable seating for four occupants and a surprising amount of luggage space behind the rear seats – 475 liters, which can be increased to 1 570 liters with the seat back folded down. However, families with long-distance holidaying high on their agenda are advised to opt for the long wheelbase model, which offers more room in the cabin to increase luggage capacity to 640 liters – or 2 220 liters with the seat folded. | | All models share similar, ergonomically friendly interiors. There are numerous convenience items on the long list of standard equipment, including power steering, electrical operation for the side mirror, easy to read analogue instrumentation, dual cup holders in the front panel as well as in the rear, central locking, a four speaker sound system and electrical antenna. | | Apart from the physical length of their bodies, the most distinguishing feature between the short and long wheel base variants is the positioning of the spare wheel. In short wheelbase Sportage models, the wheel is housed in a steel frame on the rear of the vehicle. It has its own mechanism with witch the spare wheel can be swiveled sideways before the rear door can be opened. In long wheelbase models, the wheel is housed more conventionally inside the vehicle, under the luggage floor. | | Many vehicles in this segment of the market offer a good compromise between high-speed handling on tar and low-speed off-road ability. We reckon Kia’s engineers managed well in not only providing the Sportage with good off-road capability, but at the same time making the vehicle a good, cross-country high-speed runner and a city slicker. | | Suspension consists of a sophisticated, independent, double wishbone system at the front, while the rear of the Sportage rides on a five-link configuration. And true to traditional off-road beliefs, the vehicle has a separate ladder frame chassis to ensure torsional rigidity, especially during rough off-road use. | | Braking power is supplied by ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear. And, as in modern sedans, the chassis and body of the Sportage have special crumple zones to absorb impact shocks in event of an accident. | | So after all this praise, is there any criticism? Well, we think Kia can devote some attention to the Sportage’s build quality. It’s not bad, but on coarse surfaces we noticed a rattle from the vicinity of the wind-down windows. And during our 4x4 excursion with two of these vehicles – both a long and a short wheel base model – at LA Sport’s off-road course in Capital Park, Pretoria, a mud flap behind one of the rear wheels came adrift. | | Still, in all honesty, this is an obstacle course where serious brutal off-roaders also had a tough day! | | So, see the above criticism in context: we really put the Sportage through its paces to the extreme, and under conditions the average owner is never likely to experience. | | Like other Kia models availability locally, the Sportage range is imported by Kia South Africa and distributed through 40 dealerships around the country. The company is an affiliate of the burgeoning Associated Motor Holdings (AMH) and, while the group does not declare monthly sales figures for most of its products, managing director Manny de Canha, indicated last year that the Sportage was the best-selling of all four wheel drive vehicles in South Africa. | | The reason for this is obvious – and is, perhaps, the best news about the Sportage. It is priced at R 164 550 in short wheel base, manual form and R 174 250 in automatic guise. The long wheel base model sells at R 174 250. | | All three models represent excellent value for money when compared with direct competitors. On top of that, buyers get a three year or 100 000km warranty. | | Affordable, sporty, luxurious – this and a whole lot of off-road ability in its class. No, we do not necessarily predict that the Sportage will gain a cult following. 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