2005 Kia Sportage: Bigger and Better

By Motoring Channel Staff - 22/04/2005

Along with South Korean car makers Hyundai and Daewoo, Kia's reputation has never been better, and don't it expect it to flag anytime soon.

Kia's new Sportage, launched recently in Australia, is another indication that the Korean's are really getting their collective acts together, forgoing the old 2.0-litre engine for a more powerful V6 and introducing a stylish new exterior design.

Over the last decade the once shonky Korean car is now a reliable, well-built bargain of a car (even GM Holden will begin badging Korean cars as their own later in the year) and the new $31,990 Sportage compact 4WD looks set to lead Kia's new model push into 2005 and beyond.

"The small four wheel drive market has been transformed since the Sportage first rolled into Australia," says Ed Butler, the general manager of Kia Australia.

"Therefore it is no surprise that the new Sportage bears little resemblance to the original car. The new Sportage is a state-of-the-art compact 4WD designed to take on the best in class without any apologies and yet it still retains Kia's reputation for value for money and durable quality construction."

Kia says that the Sportage has been designed not just to have the off road ability of the original car, but to also incorporate the on-road manners of a normal car while offering the refinement, comfort and ease of use expected of a modern car.

The Korean automaker also highlighted the fact that today's small four wheel drives have to be style conscious and appealing to young car buyers.

The 2005 model Sportage is a much prettier car than its precursor, and a match for the Hyundai Tucson with clean lines "providing a clear image of solidity".

Compared to the Japanese compact 4WDs from brands like Nissan, Toyota and Subaru, who've been in the game much longer, it's not as dynamic and modern, but is certainly a step in the right direction. Given another half decade however, and Kia will certainly be challenging the Japanese in the style stakes.

The new Kia Sportage's updated look is accompanied by a number of external features, which include a tailgate (with a hidden door handle) with opening rear window, an integrated roof rack and different-looking square exhaust pipes, which are a telltale sign of increased performance of the new 6-cylinder Sportage.

Only one Sportage model is currently offered in Australia and it is equipped as standard with the 2.7-litre 129kW 'Delta' engine.

This uses a light-weight aluminium block and three phase variable intake system to optimise torque throughout the rev-range. It is matched to a 4-speed automatic gearbox with tiptronic-style manual gear selection. No manual gearbox is offered.

The Kia Sportage's new 60° V6 is a step up from the old engine and has a 2656cc capacity, double overhead camshafts, 4-valves per cylinder and a 10:1 compression ratio, which translate into a peak power output of 129kW @ 6000rpm and peak torque of 241Nm @ 4000rpm.

This give the almost 1.7 tonne Sportage a top speed 180km/h and will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10.5 seconds, completing the quarter mile dash in 17.2 seconds.

Fuel consumption is quite good, with Kia's claimed statistics being 13.2 litres of fuel used for every 100km travelled in the city, and 8.2 litres for the same distance on the highway.

In normal operation, the 4-speed auto Kia Sportage is front wheel drive (which saves fuel compared to a full time 4WD), but its sophisticated 4WD system is able detect any speed differential between front and rear axles and using an electronically controlled multiplate clutch. This system is able to variably transfer up to 50 per cent of the torque to the rear axle as required.

In addition it is possible for the driver to manually select 4WD to provide a locked 50:50 split of torque and, therefore, perform much of the ability of a locked centre differential in stopping wheels spinning on very slippery surfaces. For the serious 4WD enthusiasts, see the right hand side panel (grey box) for some Sportage stats, such as approach angle and ground clearance.

Other features of the new Sportage include a 'class leading interior' that involves 667 litres of boot space with the seats up, or 1886 litres with the 60/40 splitfold rear seats down, which Kia reckons is enough for four sets of golf clubs or a bicycle.

The interior gets things useful storage ideas like a hook in the front passenger footwell to hang a handbag or takeaway, a a pull out drawer under the front passenger seat and net pockets on the backs of both front seats. There's 6-speaked CD stereo, the front passenger seat can fold down to act as a table, and thirsty drivers will welcome the plethora of cup holders.

Safety hasn't been forgotten in the all-new $31,990 Sportage either, as the compact 4WD gets an ABS system that also provides a form of traction control, front driver and passenger airbags, five lap/sash seat belts and two pretensioners for each front seat belt.

With the arrival of the 2005 Sportage, Kia's range gets yet another boost and, as Kia Australia's chief says, its new compact AWD holds a lot a meaning for the growing Korean car maker.

"The significance of the Sportage name to Kia is such that the launch of the 2005 Sportage is much more than the arrival of a new model," explains Mr Butler. "It is the return of a nameplate that accounted for up to half of annual Kia sales in its previous incarnation, a nameplate that established Kia in Australia and was, for many years, the model that defined the Kia brand in Australia.

"With the new Sportage, while it will never, thanks to our vastly increased range and sales, have the same market dominance of the previous model, it will be the brand defining model for Kia. It will display our technology, our style, our value for money reputation and will define and demonstrate what Kia is capable of producing."