IMPROVING your best-selling model to keep sales high can be a dilemma for car makers.
Do anything too radical and you could lose your regular buyers. Do too little and you don’t grab the attention of potential new customers.
With its market-leading Sportage model, Korean brand Kia seems to have pitched things just right by making some clever cosmetic changes both inside and out while at the same time adding a small electric motor to its two diesel models.
So the impressive 1.6-litre 134bhp diesel is now available as a mild hybrid thanks to the addition of a 48-volt electric motor to run in tandem with the engine.
It’s an autonomous unit so there’s no plugging in and no range anxiety. In fact, you’re not even aware of its operation – you just get better economy and a boost in performance.
Over hundreds of miles of motoring, I easily managed an average of 47mpg, just slightly higher than the official figure claimed by Kia. And the new combination produces a nice turn of power, making this model quite lively when you put your right foot down hard.
Despite its height, the Sportage handles very well even on sharp bends and corners. The ride is on the firm side but not at the expense of comfort.
Externally, the latest model has a crisper, more stylish look about it thanks to redesigned front and rear bumpers, changes to the fog lamps and modifications to the grille.
New headlamps get the full LED treatment for better night vision – as do the rear lights – and there are new distinctive daylight running lights. The 4 spec model driven here comes with full leather upholstery, with the front seats being electrically adjustable.
And luxuriously both the front and rear seats are heated, as is the steering wheel, so no need for gloves in the depth of winter. Another upmarket touch is the panoramic glass sunroof that ensures the interior is bright.
Standard on this model is an eight-inch touchscreen with sat nav and a rear-view camera that has a 360-degree view around the car to make reversing easy. Always a generous five-seater with plenty of space for rear seat passengers to stretch their legs, the latest model is now slightly longer.
It’s also packed with a host of safety features, including lane assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic dipped/main beam lighting, blind spot warning and even downhill braking control that limits the car’s speed on steep or slippery roads.
And, of course, the Sportage also has Kia’s industry-leading seven year/100,000-mile warranty – one of the best selling points of all.
Factfile:
- Model: Kia Sportage 4 1.6 CRDi 48V manual
- Engine: 1.6-litre diesel/48V electric motor
- Power: 134bhp
- Top speed: 112mph
- 0-60mph: 10.8 seconds
- Average mpg: 47.9-48.7
- CO2 emissions: 114g/km
- Warranty: Seven years/100,000 miles
- Price: £28,510
