By Mabuyane Mabuza
I don’t know where you were in the early 2000’s when Kia still made some uninspiring vehicles. But not all was gloomy as signs of brand reliability were already showing for the then young Kia brand in South Africa.
I am just giving you this context, so you understand that it’s been a long journey for the Korean brand before they made it into the mainstream of the South African motor industry.
I am one of those customers from those early days who took a leap of faith and bought a Kia. Of course, I was young and inexperienced, but my decision turned out to be a good one.
Fast forward to today, Kia has grown in leaps and bounds and is unleashing some real eye-catching products.
A case in point being the Kia Sorento, Carnival and Sportage, all three models being my firm favourites within the Kia brand.
I got a chance behind the wheel of the Sportage and came back even more convinced about Kia.
Through heavy investment, Kia head office in South Korea embarked on a recruitment drive that saw the brand snatching designers and engineers from across the globe, especially Europe. This has assisted Kia to reimagine and forging a new identity and design language attractive to a broader global market.
At first glance, the Sportage looks modern, fresh and outright confident. It doesn’t pretend to be anything but a modern-day Kia.
I have a particular liking for midsize SUVs, simply because of what they represent. As a country, we are spoilt for choice in this segment.
The new generation Sportage is not just a car, it’s a leap forward for the Kia brand. With its sleek modern design and impressive performance capability, it’s no wonder that driving it feels like a breath of fresh air. The bold grille and the sculptured headlamps provide a sporty but sophisticated aesthetic that will catch the eye on any street.
But it’s not just the exterior that’s impressive. The new portage is packed with features that will exceed any driver’s expectations. The spacious interior is designed to provide comfort and convenience for all passengers, making long road trips a breeze. The dashboard is sleek and modern, with an easy-to-use Infotainment system that can connect to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Under the hood of our test model lies a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine joined to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic producing a healthy 132kW/265Nm.
But what really sets the Sportage apart is its safety features. The Sportage comes with Kia’s Drive Wise technology suite that includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention monitoring. These features provide an added layer of security, giving drivers peace of mind on the road. Good as it is but it is also up against some tough cookies in this segment such as the Volkswagen Tiguan; Mazda CX-5; Toyota RAV4 to name but a few.
With its impressive sleek design, spacious interior, and advanced safety features, it’s the perfect vehicle for anyone who values both style and substance. The Sportage is a 2023 South African Car of the Year finalist.
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