Kia has a reputation for producing good specification cars for a good price. But does that include the Sportage?

We put it to the test by hauling three-fifths of Auto Trader editor Adrian Higgins’ band, the Little Green Wheels, to a date at a recording studio in Belgium.

Read on for the full review or hit the links to check out the individual headings.

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 78%

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

SUV-buyers are a fashion-conscious bunch and demand decent looks from their 4X4s. There are better looking off-roaders but the Sportage is no shrinking violet. Chunky without being aggressive, the Sportage looks robust with its big headlights, fog lights and five-pronged alloys. Only lacking a smidgeon of personality the Sportage scrubs up well. Removing the spare wheel from the rear of the car has improved looks as well as handling.

7/10

2. Looks inside

Kia now has an integrated CD in their new Sedona which they plan to introduce across the range. For now Sportage drivers will have to manage with the JVC CD which comes as standard. There’s nothing wrong with it, but looks wise it does cheapen a decent, minimal plastic and chrome dash and console. The controls and dials are laid out well for the driver. However, if you raise the seat height to the max you are likely to struggle to see the speedo – not so good. The leather seats are decent quality too.

6/10

3. Practicality

We put this side of the Sportage to the test with three occupants and all their luggage and instruments for a week-long stay in Belgium, including eight guitars and basses as well as bulky amplifiers. We split the storage to leave one seat for the rear occupant and were able to take advantage of the split tailgate for stowing purchases en route (it used to be called duty free). Access was easy from back or side. Luggage volume ranges from a full seating 667 litres to an admirable two-at-the-front 1887 litres. Switching between seat combinations is simple. The cab also features plenty of storage with cup holders and storage bins in the doors.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling

Our journey to Belgium was a nightmare as continental traffic jams saw us crawl to our destination. Given there were three blokes in the car, plus countless instruments, a poor ride would have been wearing. No worries here. The Sportage gave us all a comfortable journey, including those occasions when we did manage to build up a bit of speed. However, this is not at the expense of the handling which is fine. There’s the support of Four Wheel Drive when you need it and though the vehicle’s height can make motorway bends a little more challenging when overtaking, the Sportage handles well. 

8/10

5. Performance

Buyers can choose between a 2-litre petrol or diesel engines or a 2.7-litre V6 version. We drove the 2-litre diesel which hits 62mph (100kmh) in 12 seconds and has a top speed of 110mph. Going for the V6 cuts the 0-62mph to 10.5 seconds if you want to hold your head a little higher at the lights. 

8/10

6. Running Costs

Go for the 2-litre diesel model we loaned and you will get an average of 39.8mpg out of it. We found it to be very frugal. Choose the V6 model and this drops to 28.2 mpg. Insurance should be reasonable while tax on the model we tested is £195 a year.  There’s a three year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance package for the same period covering the UK and Europe. The new Sportage was launched in January 2005, ten years after its introduction, it is likely to lose a little less than half its value in the first two years.

8/10

7. Reliability

The New Sportage has not really been around long enough for problems to surface but everything seems robust and well put-together.

7/10

8. Safety

Twin front airbags, front, side and full-length curtain airbags come as standard. There are also anti-lock disc brakes and electronic brake force distribution while traction control comes on the XE version with stability control for the XS trim. The four wheel drive system transfers drive from the front wheels to all four wheels if slippage is detected, though it can be engaged manually as well.

8/10

9. Equipment

There are two trim specifications XE and XS. The XE boasts 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, JVC CD audio with four speakers, electric windows and door mirrors and front fog lamps. Go for the XS and you get leather trim, heated seats, climate control, cruise control, sunroof and two more speakers.

9/10

10. X-Factor

Bringing affordable well-specced SUV motoring to the masses. Kia specialise in offering economical, desirable cars. Sometimes they pull it off better than others but in this instance it’s a job well done.

9/10

Rivals

You might also want to consider:

Land Rover Discovery
Mitsubishi Outlander
Ssangyong Rexton