KIA SPORTAGE
1.6 T-GDi 48V 3
THE JOURNEY THAT Kia has made in the past 20 years is, quite frankly, remarkable. There was a time when you bought a Kia because you had to – perhaps it was all you could afford – but now it’s a brand known for making stylish, competitive and, above all, soughtafter cars. Cars people want to own.
The Sportage is a cracking example. Its striking, of-themoment design sets it apart from other family SUVs, and the front running lights – arranged like huge, inward-pointing arrows – direct you so confidently towards the Kia badge that the car might as well be shouting, “Yes, I’m a Kia and proud!”. But don’t for a second imagine that the Sportage is style over substance, because it isn’t.
In fact, its substance is pervasive. The range of mild hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines means there’s something for everyone, but we think the entry-level 1.6 T-GDi mild hybrid is the best all-rounder. It’ll average around 40mpg in real-world use and comes with a slick manual gearbox or a smooth-shifting automatic. With 157bhp, it’s punchy enough to get you up to motorway speeds easily, and at 70mph the Sportage is a quieter, more relaxing mile-muncher than rivals such as the Honda ZR-V.