Introduction

The Kia Sportage is the Korean firm’s entry into the hotly contested and hugely lucrative C-segment crossover/SUV marketplace. Designed to go up against the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008 and Volkswagen Tiguan, the Sportage aims to offer high-quality fixtures and fittings, lots of equipment, and pleasant driving manners, for less cash than its equivalently specified rivals. The range is made up of two petrol and three models, and the Sportage can be equipped with four-wheel drive, although most versions send power to the front wheels only.

Did you know? The Sportage was designed by Kia’s German design chief Peter Schreyer, who was partially responsible for the shape of the original Audi TT.

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Verdict: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (7.8/10)

Kia’s Sportage evolved into a fantastically strong all-rounder in its fourth-generation guise, with masses of in-car technology available at the lower slopes of the SUV’s range, interior quality that has moved on considerably from its predecessor, and a polished overall driving performance all making for a likeable Nissan Qashqai rival. It’s not without flaws, as it masters neither ultimate ride comfort nor thrilling handling, and the appearance of the car’s face might be off-putting to some, but it makes up for that with competitive pricin...