2022 Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD assessment

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Enjoyable reality: in case you dwell in Australia, you’ve in all probability been saying this automobile’s identify wrongly all of your life.

Let’s make clear this as soon as and for all: it’s not a Spor-tahh-je such as you’d pronounce ‘reportage’, it’s Sport-age. Rhymes with scarcity and mortgage. 

The benefit of the all-new Kia Sportage is that it has no area scarcity and could also be thought of fairly reasonably priced for its class. It’s additionally a really family-friendly SUV that’s nice to drive and take a look at.

My first impression of the contemporary look of Kia Sportage: elegant, fashionable, and considerably European.

The Sportage feels acquainted, but it took virtually nothing from its predecessor. It’s slightly teaser for a promising way forward for Kia design.

The outside turned way more muscular and strong, and I recognize how a lot thought was given to the little particulars like brushed chrome inserts and contrasting gloss black wheel arches. 

The entrance was fully reworked to accommodate a wider grille and boomerang-shaped LED lights which look nice at night-time. 

One would suppose that the complexity of the outside would compensate for the simplicity of the inside, nevertheless it’s not the case with 2022 Kia Sportage SX 2.2D AWD.

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the Sportage GT-Line 1.6T AWD

How a lot does the Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD price?

The 2022 Kia Sportage SX Diesel AWD now we have on check begins at $42,400 plus on-road prices, or about $46,870 drive-away utilizing a Brisbane postcode.

It’s $5200 costlier than the SX Petrol FWD, and $2555 dearer than the bottom Sportage S Diesel AWD.

Diesel-powered rivals have gotten rarer on this phase, with a number of manufacturers ditching diesels in favour of petrol-electric hybrids. Regardless, each gas sorts are usually extra environment friendly choices than petrol-only alternate options.

Key rivals embrace:

Costs exclude on-road prices until specified

What’s the Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD like on the within?

Manufacturing automobile interiors are usually judged on consolation, ergonomics, and performance. For me, the Kia Sportage SX scores excessive factors in each side.

The inside of Sportage SX feels fairly luxurious, due to the brand new cockpit design with accents of brushed steel (nicely, metal-look) and piano black components on the motive force panel and doorways.

A soft-touch dashboard, armrest and leather-appointed particulars just like the steering wheel and shift knob are an improve from the decrease Sportage S grade. Sadly, the SX doesn’t include leather-based seats.

General the inside feels very driver-centric, which is a plus.

There’s a fundamental digital driver’s cluster with LCD speedo and tacho readouts flanking a 4.2-inch supervision show, whereas the infotainment touchscreen measures a whopping 12.3 inches. Connectivity is on level, the graphics are wealthy, and the interactivity is great.

The Sportage’s designers have changed your standard aircon switches with a configurable contact bar. To be fully trustworthy, I’m conflicted about this function.

The touchscreen buttons look wonderful, however they’re simply too shut to one another for my liking. Until you’re working an autonomous automobile, altering some settings at 110km/h may be difficult. I recognize all issues digital, however simply since you can do it doesn’t imply you ought to.

The multifunction steering wheel is nice. My favorite function is a customisable button that helps you attain your favorite settings whereas preserving your arms on the wheel and eyes on the highway. 

For instance, I’d use the customized button to both file voice memos, put the infotainment system into Quiet Mode (if my passengers are asleep within the again seat), or allow the display screen’s privateness settings. Given the Sportage SX’s big display screen measurement, hiding the shows for telephone contacts or name historical past would possibly come in useful.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired just for fashions with the bigger display screen and navigation, so you might want to plug and unplug your telephone every time you get within the automobile.

Kia’s quirky Sounds of Nature additionally options – the pre-recorded white noise of ocean waves, a energetic forest or a crackling fire can create a reasonably stress-free ambiance too. If this weren’t a automobile assessment, I’d recommend pairing it along with your most costly candle.

I additionally actually like Kia’s sensible size-changing cupholder design. Foldable separators mean you can declare some essential actual property again and use the center console for bigger gadgets like an umbrella or an iPad. There’s additionally a reasonably spacious storage cubby underneath the centre armrest. 

Regardless that the inside is driver-centric, it’s nonetheless designed with different passengers in thoughts. The again seats are very roomy, every entrance seat has map pockets, and there’s rear air vents for added consolation.

Sadly, the Sportage SX is misses out on wi-fi telephone charging and USB-C chargers within the entrance seats – they’re are solely out there within the SX+ and GT-Line variations.

The boot is fairly spectacular, at a claimed 543 litres. If you happen to want much more area, you possibly can shortly enhance it by pulling the distant rear seat folding lever, which splits seats 60:40, and helps open up 1829L.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Kia Sportage SX comes commonplace with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with front-wheel drive, however on check now we have the non-obligatory 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with all-wheel drive.

Outputs for the diesel are rated at 137kW (4000rpm) and 416Nm (2000-2750rpm), with drive despatched to all 4 wheels through an eight-speed computerized transmission.

Gasoline effectivity is a claimed 6.3L/100km on the mixed cycle, and there’s a 54L gas tank.

Kia Australia presents the two.0-litre diesel throughout all Sportage variants.

How does the Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD drive?

It’s clear the Sportage was designed to be an all-rounder.

I appreciated switching between totally different driving settings based mostly on my temper and seeing how the automobile behaves. Eco, Regular, Sport and Good modes can be found – it’s normally sporty for me, not often sensible.

Extra adventurous drivers also can select from multi-terrain mode choices: Snow, Mud and Sand. The system will mechanically optimise traction and stability controls so you possibly can really feel extra assured on unfastened surfaces.

If you wish to see how the brand new Sportage performs off-road, take a look at our Medium SUV Off-Highway Mega Check here.

Most of my driving is common every day commutes round city and the town, and I have to say Kia is a superb companion for sluggish metropolis driving.

If transferring 30-40km/h between 4-6pm is a daily factor for you, the Kia presents nice facilities to go the time – an excellent sound system to your favorite music, a surprisingly well-balanced driver seat with first rate decrease again assist, and well-insulated cabin to maintain all of the noise away.

The Sportage stretches 4660mm in size, has a 2755mm wheelbase and weighs as much as 1759kg in diesel spec. It quotes a minimal turning circle of 12.2 metres.

Taking this under consideration, entrance and rear parking sensors and rear view digicam with dynamic parking tips are available very helpful. If you happen to improve two grades as much as the top-spec GT-Line, you will get the Distant Good Parking Help function which is sadly not out there on the SX.

Secure Exit Warning will detect approaching autos from behind and lift a sound or visible alert if a passenger makes an attempt to open the door into oncoming visitors or cyclists when parked.

The SX model additionally comes with the entire alphabet of energetic security options – from AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) to TSA (Trailer Stability Help). 

My private favourites are Downhill Brake Management and hill-start help, which at all times come in useful in case you dwell in a hilly space.

I additionally loved the Main Automobile Departure Alert function, which reminds you to cease daydreaming and notifies if the automobile in entrance began transferring.

Again on the freeway, the Sportage SX’s diesel engine engine proved to be fairly responsive and will get its massive physique transferring fairly confidently.

The eight-speed computerized transmission presents fast, snappy shifts and retains the engine within the energy band once you want it. Who cares concerning the 0-100 time – all you might want to know is that it progresses easily and steadily.

Regardless of being a high-riding SUV, the Sportage handles nicely and could be a little bit of enjoyable to string by means of corners. The steering is pleasantly weighted and responsive too.

The Korean model has additionally performed job of preserving disagreeable diesel clatter to a minimal.

What do you get?

Sportage S highlights:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels (machine face)
  • 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment
  • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wi-fi)
  • DAB digital radio
  • Six-speed audio system
  • ‘Fundamental’ digital instrument cluster with 4.2-inch TFT show
  • LED headlights (reflector-type)
  • LED daytime operating lights
  • Partial-LED tail lights
  • Full-size spare wheel
  • Leather-based-accented steering wheel and PVC shifter
  • AEB with pedestrian/bicycle owner/junction help
  • Blind-spot help
  • Rear cross-traffic help
  • Lane-keep help
  • Lane Observe Help
  • Clever pace restrict help
  • Adaptive cruise management**
  • Electrical park brake**
  • Reversing digicam
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Tyre strain monitoring
  • Entrance-centre airbag

**not out there for handbook variants

Sportage SX (as examined) provides:

  • 18-inch alloy wheels (machine face)
  • 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment
  • Satellite tv for pc navigation
  • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wired)
  • Energy driver’s lumbar adjustment
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Twin-zone local weather management with auto de-fog
  • Auto up/down home windows (entrance)
  • Leather-based shifter
  • Distant-folding second-row seats

Sportage SX+ provides:

  • 19-inch alloy wheels
  • 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio
  • Fake leather-based seat trim
  • Heated entrance seats
  • LED entrance fog lights
  • Energy driver’s seat with energy lumbar
  • Electrical tailgate
  • Electrochromic rear-view mirror
  • Keyless entry with push-button begin
  • Steering-mounted paddle shifters
  • Rear privateness glass
  • Entrance parking sensors

Sportage GT-Line provides:

  • 19-inch alloy wheels (machine face)
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • Leather-based seats with suede higher
  • Driver’s seat with reminiscence operate
  • Energy passenger seat adjustment
  • Heated/ventilated entrance seats
  • Bi-LED headlights (projector kind)
  • Full-LED tail lights
  • Shift-by-wire gear selector (dial kind)
  • Wi-fi telephone charger
  • Ambient inside lighting
  • LED inside lighting
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Alloy sports activities pedals
  • Blind Spot View Monitor
  • Parking Collision Avoidance (AEB reverse)
  • Distant Good Park Help*
  • Encompass-view cameras with 3D view

Is the Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD protected?

The Kia Sportage wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking, based mostly on assessments carried out by Euro NCAP.

Class scores included 87 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 87 per cent for little one occupant safety, 66 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 74 per cent for security help.

The five-star ranking applies throughout the entire vary presently offered in Australia, with all engines and trim ranges coated.

Customary security options embrace:

  • Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
    • Pedestrian and Bike owner detection
    • Junction help
  • Ahead collision warning
  • Adaptive cruise management (auto solely)
  • Clever Velocity Restrict Help
  • Blind-spot help (auto solely)
  • Blind-spot monitoring (handbook solely)
  • Rear cross-traffic help (auto solely)
  • Rear cross-traffic alert (handbook solely)
  • Multi-collision brake
  • Lane Following Help
  • Lane-keep help
  • Reversing digicam
  • Rear parking sensors
  • 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag

Sportage GT-Line provides:

  • 360-degree cameras with 3D view
  • Blind Spot View Monitor
  • AEB – Low pace (reverse)

How a lot does the Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD price to run?

Th Sportage is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee with seven years of capped-price servicing.

Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres for diesel fashions – whichever comes first.

Every go to over these seven years will price $349, $541, $435, $794, $393, $695 and $417. In complete, the Sportage Diesel will set you again $1325 over three years, $2512 over 5 years, and $3624 over seven.

By comparability, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid prices simply over $200 per annual service for the primary 5 years, or lower than half of what Kia fees.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD

In comparison with the associated Hyundai Tucson, the Sportage on a unique stage visually and caters to a youthful and extra energetic viewers.

I liked the inside screens and finishes, beneficiant dimensions and excessive driving place complemented with a number of security options.

Additionally, let’s not neglect Kia’s seven-year manufacturing facility guarantee, making it a protected selection for long-term dedication. 

However please, cease calling it Spor-tahh-je. Sportage rhymes with scarcity!

Click on the photographs for the complete gallery

MORE: Everything Kia Sportage



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