The upgraded Kia Sportage – Is it worth the money?
Upgraded Kia Sportage 2023
Don’t want to compromise on looks and style for a family SUV?
Look no further than the fifth generation of the Kia Sportage.
This impressive and reliable SUV offers a sleek design, a high-end interior, and a competitive price, making it even more appealing. If you value a relaxing and quiet journey, you may not get this from the kids (if you use it as a family SUV), but you will be guaranteed it with the new Kia Sportage. It provides a peaceful journey that is smooth on most roads, breezing through the motorway—it makes every journey an enjoyable one.
Review based on Kia Sportage – 2023 plate, Hybrid automatic.
The Evolution of Kia
Since its debut in 1993, the Sportage has undergone significant changes. With its all-new design, the Sportage now stands out as one of Kia’s top-selling models and sets itself apart from other family SUVs. It’s easy to see why.
The new Kia rebranding showcases the company’s commitment to change and innovation. The Sportage has always been a dependable and popular choice for families and SUV enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the latest generation has surpassed expectations with its impressive appearance and cutting-edge technology.
The Evolution of Kia
Since its debut in 1993, the Sportage has undergone significant changes. With its all-new design, the Sportage now stands out as one of Kia’s top-selling models and sets itself apart from other family SUVs. It’s easy to see why.
The new Kia rebranding showcases the company’s commitment to change and innovation. The Sportage has always been a dependable and popular choice for families and SUV enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the latest generation has surpassed expectations with its impressive appearance and cutting-edge technology.
Kia Sportage trims and engine options.
Selecting the right trim level is essential. The Sportage offers several great options to choose from:
2
The base trim level has standard features such as a rear view camera, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker audio system.
GT-Line
With this trim level you will get a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, an electric sliding panoramic sunroof, climate control, electrically adjustable heated seats, leather upholstery and so much more.
3
If you upgrade to the 3, you will get extra features like 19-inch alloys wheels, panoramic sunroof, blind sport monitoring, heated steering wheel amongst other high-tech features.
GT-Line S
If you are looking for something with a sporty edge, the GT-Line S offers a sleek exterior design, upgraded suspension, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine is the standard option, delivering 148 horsepower and plenty of torque. A petrol-hybrid edition is also available for those who want an eco-friendlier option. As standard, all models come with front-wheel drive with the option of all-wheel drive.
CarMoney Verdict
The Kia Sportage is an excellent choice for those in the market for a family SUV. Its sleek design and impressive features make it poised to make a splash in the highly competitive family SUV market. The Sportage stands out from the rest of the crowd with its unique style, advanced safety features, and exceptional performance.
Overall, the Kia Sportage is a top contender for anyone looking for a high-quality family SUV with style and substance.
Performance – 3/5
Safety – 5/5
Value – 3/5
Comfort – 4/5
Looks – 4/5
Performance
Although an SUV may not provide the same level of performance as a sports car, the Kia Sportage still offers an enjoyable ride. It delivers a peaceful experience on small-town roads while providing powerful motorway performance, giving you the best of both worlds.
The ride is incredibly smooth, with a seamless transition between various speeds that makes for an enjoyable experience. You’ll feel like you’re gliding along the road withease, thanks to the Sportage’s top-notch engineering and design.
Safety
It is no surprise that Euro NCAP gave it the highest rating for safety testing, and we fully agree with them.
In our review of the 1.6 Hybrid model, we found the safety features particularly impressive. If you opt for the top-spec GT-Line S trim, you’ll get blind-spot monitoring, which provides a clear view from cameras mounted on the door mirrors when you indicate. In addition, the Sportage also comes with highly responsive lane departure warning and braking alert systems to ensure your safety on the road.
Interior Details
The cars centre console and handles are made from plastic material that, unfortunately, is prone to scratches and attracts dust and fingerprints with ease. This minor detail detracts from the overall quality of the car’s interior, which is otherwise quite impressive.
On the other hand, the dual 12.3-inch screens are a standout feature of this car. One screen is for the driver’s display, and the other is for the infotainment system. The layout of both screens is intuitive, and the graphics are clear and sharp, creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience.
The only downfall being, for it being so teched up Apple CarPlay isn’t wireless which is quite surprising. The touch-sensitive panel below the screen is a convenient shortcut for switching between sat-nav, radio, and other features, enhancing the ease of use.
Not only is the Sportage highly sought-after for its internal features, but its sleek exterior design and smooth handling also contribute to its popularity. With its impressive array of features, the Sportage is a car that is sure to turn heads.
Interior Details
The cars centre console and handles are made from plastic material that, unfortunately, is prone to scratches and attracts dust and fingerprints with ease. This minor detail detracts from the overall quality of the car’s interior, which is otherwise quite impressive.
On the other hand, the dual 12.3-inch screens are a standout feature of this car. One screen is for the driver’s display, and the other is for the infotainment system. The layout of both screens is intuitive, and the graphics are clear and sharp, creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience.
The only downfall being, for it being so teched up Apple CarPlay isn’t wireless which is quite surprising. The touch-sensitive panel below the screen is a convenient shortcut for switching between sat-nav, radio, and other features, enhancing the ease of use.
Not only is the Sportage highly sought-after for its internal features, but its sleek exterior design and smooth handling also contribute to its popularity. With its impressive array of features, the Sportage is a car that is sure to turn heads.
Value for Money
This was tricky to score, so let us tell you why.
It is definitely worth the money you spend on it because of all the upgrades it comes with. The car boasts advanced technology and luxurious details, making it both high-performing and attractive.
We found that the car is indeed worth the investment, given the impressive upgrades it comes equipped with. However, the pricing for the highly-spec model from this brand is slightly steep. When we think of a family car or a brand like Kia, we usually imagine something spacious and affordable. This car model is perfect in terms of performance, but it may not fit everybody’s budget, with pricing starting from £29,000 for the standard manual model, the Hybrid auto starting from £35,000, and the Plug-in Hybrid auto starting from £40,000.
Space
The Sportage boasts a spacious interior that comfortably accommodates two tall adults in the rear. It surpasses many competitors in leg, head, and elbow room. Additionally, the car offers ample boot space that can easily fit a pram, shopping bags, and more. The maximum boot space with seats up is 591L, while the maximum boot space with the seats down is 1780L.
Comfort
Looking for a spacious and comfortable ride that doesn’t compromise on features?
The Sportage has got you covered! With a roomy interior, ample features, and cosy front and back seating, it’s the perfect choice for a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. Leather and fabric seats with white stitching add a luxurious touch to the car’s interior; with powerful heated front seats, you are guaranteed a comfortable journey no matter how long or short it is.
Space
The Sportage boasts a spacious interior that comfortably accommodates two tall adults in the rear. It surpasses many competitors in leg, head, and elbow room. Additionally, the car offers ample boot space that can easily fit a pram, shopping bags, and more. The maximum boot space with seats up is 591L, while the maximum boot space with the seats down is 1780L.
Comfort
Looking for a spacious and comfortable ride that doesn’t compromise on features?
The Sportage has got you covered! With a roomy interior, ample features, and cosy front and back seating, it’s the perfect choice for a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. Leather and fabric seats with white stitching add a luxurious touch to the car’s interior; with powerful heated front seats, you are guaranteed a comfortable journey no matter how long or short it is.
Behind the Scenes
Alternatives of the Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a strong contender in the fiercely competitive compact SUV market, where it goes head-to-head with several rivals that offer comparable features, performance, and pricing. In the UK market, some of the notable competitors of the Kia Sportage are:
Hyundai Tucson: This model offers a similar level of value, reliability, and performance to the Sportage. It also has a well-equipped interior and various engine choices.
Mazda CX-5: If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient and sporty SUV, the CX-5 is a great choice. It stands out from the crowd thanks to its stylish design, responsive handling, and well-crafted interior.
Nissan Qashqai: Another popular family-friendly SUV, the Qashqai offers a spacious interior and user-friendly tech features.
Alternatives of the Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a strong contender in the fiercely competitive compact SUV market, where it goes head-to-head with several rivals that offer comparable features, performance, and pricing. In the UK market, some of the notable competitors of the Kia Sportage are:
Hyundai Tucson: This model offers a similar level of value, reliability, and performance to the Sportage. It also has a well-equipped interior and various engine choices.
Mazda CX-5: If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient and sporty SUV, the CX-5 is a great choice. It stands out from the crowd thanks to its stylish design, responsive handling, and well-crafted interior.
Nissan Qashqai: Another popular family-friendly SUV, the Qashqai offers a spacious interior and user-friendly tech features.
