2010 Kia Sportage review

[KiaDxb]

The Kia Sportage is the Korean manufacturer’s offering in the cutthroat budget compact SUV sector of the market where it goes up against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Chevrolet Captiva and Honda CR-V.

It was first introduced into the market in 2004, though has been on the receiving end of a couple of subtle facelifts over the years.

It’s a fairly anonymous family steed – it’s certainly not a striking vehicle, and you’ll be lucky to find it in a busy mall car park after a few hours arduous shopping as there’s very little about the styling that really jumps out and grabs you.

One major plus point of the Sportage is its extremely good reliability record – it’s even won awards for that feat in the US. Though, we imagine things might get a little more unreliable if you were to regularly twist the axles at the weekend on some challenging terrain.

As with plenty of other compact SUVs with 4×4 running gear, the Sportage much prefers staying on the smooth stuff. It wasn’t always this case – the original Sportage actually had a low-range gearbox, though it didn’t prove all too popular amongst the young family sector of the market that Kia is chasing.

Two engines are offered, neither of which is hugely overpowered. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine musters 142bhp whereas the 2.7-litre V6 conjures up 175bhp. However, both should prove more than adequate on the school run and the occasional blast along Emirates Road. The interior is pretty sparse, but should hold up well to the use and abuse of children.

SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-kia-sportage/