Super TestCar reviews - Kia - Sportage - 2WD and CRDi rangeKia modelsOverviewKia's Sportage gains a 2.0-litre front-drive variant and a more convincing turbo-diesel6 Sep 2007 By CHRIS HARRIS KIA has not made sales headlines for the right reasons with its compact Sportage SUV, but hopes that the introduction of a price-leading 2WD and a turbo-diesel may reverse the slide experienced by the existing V6 petrol model. The Sportage since introduction in April 2005, has been a value purchase but equipped with a V6 and four-speed auto powertrain that is thirstier than its four-cylinder competitors but lacks any real performance advantage to compensate for it. The new LX 2.0-litre has a significant price advantage and answers the V6's economy problem (even if it's not competitive with the market for power). It dispenses with all-wheel drive but keeps the high-body SUV stance that appeals to buyers with easier entry point and high driving position. The diesel will please rural buyers and is a surprisingly good package and, as a bonus, will appeal if you want to save money at the bowser. Model release date: 1 September 2007 to 1 August 2010 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
Super TestClick to share
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram