Crafty with Crafted Curves – 2022 Kia Sportage review

The Kia fan favourite is back in its 5th generation and it’s better than ever. A new platform, Euro-focused engineering, fully-revised design and a clever, curved digital screen in the cabin. It’s good, great in fact and Kia New Zealand are so proud of their latest Sportage that they gave me two to test – the base model LX Urban and the top of the line X-Line Diesel. Don’t mind if I do.

Firstly, the thing that you can’t see and that’s the new ‘N3’ Architecture that both models sit on. Also known as the 3rd-Generation Platform, the N3 not only offers high torsional rigidity, but  has been designed and developed to enhance the Sportage’s premium stature, combining a refined, stable and comfortable ride with agile and dynamic handling. On top of that, it’s ready and waiting for the Sportage’s EV wave.  

Then comes the new design. According to their marketing speak, the brand is heading down a ‘5-pillars’ route which are ‘Joy for Reason, Power to Progress, Technology for Life, Tension for Serenity and Bold for Nature’ this is overlaid with ‘Opposites United’. Now that may resonate with some of you, but for me it’s how the new Sportage looks that really impresses.   

It’s hard to look past the popular SUV’s nose with ‘boomerang’ DRL’s and Matrix LED lights that bookend the latest interpretation of their ‘Tiger nose’ grille. Above this, their new KIA logo sits proudly on the bonnet. The new Sportage’s profile comes with a very noticeable line across its centre and a chrome beltline that kicks up onto the rear quarter panel and the extended (now 4.66m L x 1.87m W x 1.68m H) SUV sits on eye-catching alloys that range between 17-19-inches.

The more muscular rear comes with a semi-fastback design that flows into the rear ‘razor-look’ lamps, Kia badging and an eclectic tailgate that opens to around 540L of luggage space (all seats up).

As expected, my two models split from there. Under the bonnet of the LX was a 2L petrol engine that offered up 115kW and 192Nm. Married to a 6-Speed auto it gave a reported 8.1L/100km efficiency number and gases of 205g/km. Whereas, the X-Line Diesel equally boasted 2L but produced 137kW/416Nm, and with its 8-speed e-shift transmission, supped fuel at a rate of 6.3L/100km and emitted CO2’s at 181g/km.

The differences continued in the cabin too. Now don’t take this the wrong way, as for a base model the LX comes loaded with trim and tech that by far exceeds its cost, however, as we generally get more of the premium options first, I must admit to feeling a little underwhelmed at the interior, and it’s not just the cloth rather than leather seats, it’s more the inserts where buttons should be. That said, it does come with a plethora of driver and safety gear, an 8-inch infotainment screen, 6-speaker stereo and adaptive cruise control. 

The X-Line is where it’s at though. You’re greeted with a massive (12.3” + 12.3”)  digital LCD touch screen that incorporates both Infotainment and Instrumentation. It’s elegantly curved too making it even more of a feature. 

There are more apps and menus. The top tunes are produced courtesy of Harman Kardon, Sat Nav, Qi connectivity, and a dial for ‘shift by wire’ gear selection. All the buttons are there and then some, including (as it has an electronically-controlled AWD system) an all-new Terrain Mode that debuts in this fifth-generation model. 

To explain, Terrain Mode is for Sportage owners that want to pursue outdoor adventure and leisure activities, it quickly adjusts the driving settings so that the SUV offers optimal drive dynamics for any given road condition and environment. At the push of a button and twist of a dial, you can head to the snow, mud or sand and feel confident of returning.

Underlining the X-Line’s upmarketness, at the push of a button the temperature strip that runs under the infotainment screen, doubles as the screen’s controller. For example the heat setting turns into the volume control and the fan turns to Navigation. It’s smart and a great use of space (when you know it’s there).

In terms of driving experience, they are both a big improvement on previous iterations. Again the LX is good but the X-line is better. The more torquey diesel powertrain feels more substantial and the AWD feels confident regardless of what’s below – although I did stick to tarmac or gravel. 

Aside from the new platform this next generation Sportage comes with a new Electronic Control Suspension (ECS) with an ultra fast continuous damping control. It reacts quickly to both the movement on the road and your steering inputs, counteracting heave, pitch and body roll through corners and also adapts the damping force of the suspension to comfortably accommodate obstacles and reduce wheel impact from aftershocks. Added to this the electronically-controlled AWD system allocates the right power to each wheel , something that can be watched on the instrument cluster should you wish to take your eyes off the road.

Another perk of the X-Line is the Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) which helps you get in and out of tight spaces without even being inside the SUV. So as a bit of a party trick you start and move the new Sportage forwards and backwards using the keyfob – I’d say my son was impressed but it was more like me that was wow’d.

In terms of looks and style, you can basically take your pick of the eight new Sportage line-up, however, if you really want the full new Sportage experience, then spend a little more and go for the X-Line. Oh and one last ‘curve’ ball, I’m looking forward to seeing what the electric models will bring to the Sportage party. I guess we’ll wait and see.