2012 KIA SPORTAGE: Spruced-up Sportage

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This article was published 27/07/2012 (4831 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the third-generation Sportage arrived, it was greeted with positive reviews. In fact, there was very little to carp about as a package.

While it would be fair to say the engine delivered little more than passable performance, it had more than enough power for the morning commute and could get around a slower-moving vehicle with reasonable alacrity.

Still, the Sportage fell shy of delivering anything near what one would term driving fun. That changed when Kia introduced the range-topping SX.

Along with its brighter visage — the addition of LED daytime running lights — comes some serious spice. Where the mortal Sportage employs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that’s good for 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque, the SX earns a derivative of the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder that serves the Optima so well. In this case, the twin-scroll turbocharger gives the direct-injected engine the wherewithal to output 260 hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque at a low 1,850 r.p.m.

The difference this makes to the drive is enormous — it adds the smile factor the base engine lacked. Obviously, the blown engine delivers a much quicker turn of speed, but that’s not what truly impresses. Rather, it’s the manner in which the Sportage leaps forward whenever it’s urged on — and this holds true across the entire speed range. As the power arrives without the slightest hint of turbo lag, it means there is seldom the need to delve deeply into the throttle to get the desired response.

Now, this works wonders for the fuel-economy cause. You see, the additional power is basically free — the turbocharged engine delivers an extra 101 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,050 r.p.m. sooner, yet it only consumes 0.7 and 0.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city/on the highway, respectively, more than the base engine.

I managed to eke out a test average of 9.1 L/100 km out of the turbo. Little wonder, then, that turbocharging and direct injection are catching on so quickly.

The Sportage’s six-speed automatic transmission is well-matched to the turbocharged engine. The first four gears key on performance, while the top two are overdrives. This strategy brings an enthusiastic launch that continues through the mid-range and on to the top end. It also brings some pretty healthy performance numbers — my stopwatch clocked the zero-to-100-kilometres-an-hour run at 8.6 seconds. That’s pretty good for a compact crossover. More impressive is the 5.2-second 80-to-120-km/h charge. Now, that’s sports-car-like.

The power is put to the pavement through a proactive all-wheel-drive system and large P235/55R18 tires. Under normal driving conditions, the power is relayed through the front wheels. However, by monitoring a number of different parameters, the system begins to reapportion the power split front to rear before the wheels have a chance to spin. This not only minimizes the stability-control system’s intervention, it also brings better precision to the drive.

The Sportage also goes one step further in terms of maintaining stability than many vehicles — it’s one of the few to use its electric power steering to counter a wayward tendency. If the back end begins to break away, the system turns the front wheels into the slide as the stability control system reduces engine output and brakes the appropriate wheel(s). In the end, the combination of the all-wheel-drive system and the advanced stability-control measures means it takes a really ham-fisted driver to get it wrong.

Another pleasant surprise comes in the form of the SX’s road manners. It is both comfortable and agile at the same time. The secret lies in the use of two-stage dampers. When body motion is slow, as it is when cruising the highway, the shocks deliver softer damping and a comfortable ride. Speed up the body motion and the shocks instantly firm to reduce the amount of roll and sharpen the response to steering input. Marry the tight handling with the spirit the turbocharged engine delivers and you have something that can only be described as crisp.

As for content, the Sportage SX arrives fully loaded — the tester included the navigation package. This means a leather-lined cockpit that features decent plastics, comfortable seating and a full slate of power toys. Beyond that, there’s the power eight-way heated and cooled driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, two-panel panoramic sunroof, a good audio package and a handy backup camera.

The only nit is that opting for the navigation package does away with Kia’s novel UVO infotainment system — it allows the driver to use voice commands to do just about anything the driver desires.

From a versatility standpoint, the Sportage is pretty good. There’s 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the split/folding seats upright and 66.6 cu. ft. with them folded down. The floor is also flat and almost devoid of intrusions, which means all of the space is usable. It also earns a privacy cover and the needed tie-downs to secure cargo.

The addition of the turbocharged engine to the Kia Sportage’s powertrain lineup really spruces up its driving fun without sacrificing fuel economy. The SX’s key benefit, however, is price. It can be likened to enjoying a champagne-and-caviar diet on a baked-bean budget.

— Postmedia News

THE SPECS

2012 Kia Sportage SX Turbo

TYPE OF VEHICLE: All-wheel-drive compact crossover

ENGINE: 2.0L turbocharged I4

POWER: 260 hp @ 6,000 r.p.m.; 269 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,850 r.p.m.

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manumatic

BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS

TIRES: P235/55R18

BASE PRICE/AS TESTED: $21,995/$37,445

DESTINATION CHARGE: $1,650

FUEL ECONOMY (L/100 KM): 10.0 city, 7.7 hwy.