2013 KIA SPORTAGE SX The Sportage stands apart from the Hyundai Tucson, its sibling, not only in styling and base engine but especially because of its sporty SX version. The SX is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops a hefty 260 horsepower, and all-wheel drive is standard. Interior and cargo area Entry and exit are complicated by wide doorsills that collect grime. The front seats prove comfortable for those who appreciate a firm seat. The cushions are narrow and a bit short for larger people. The driving position is good, and there is ample legroom and headroom. Foot room is limited on the passenger side unless the seat is pushed back. The seat heaters do a better job heating the cushions than the backrests. Oddly, only the driver’s seat is cooled. The rear bench seat is comfortable for two adults. The 60/40-split seatback slants up towards the front when it is folded. Headroom and legroom are generous. The cargo area is roomy, even with the rear seat in place, with 89 cm behind the rear seat and 170 cm behind the front seats when pushed completely back. Width is 99 cm, and height measures between 75 and 79 cm (70 cm under the middle seat-belt anchor). Convenience and safety features We appreciated the very good fit and finish and the quality of materials, even though there is a lot of plastic. The cabin is not sufficiently soundproofed against road noise. There are several good storage spaces, but the cup holders do not adapt to container size. The sun visors have extenders. Gauges and controls are well laid out, but several controls are not lighted at night. The few climate control and radio controls are easy to use. Heating and air conditioning are efficient. However, in the Vent position, there is a slight draft at foot level that could become unpleasant after a while. Likewise, in the Defrost-Heat setting, the air directed towards the windshield is cooler than the air at foot level. A stream of cool air on your head and shoulders is not always appreciated on a long drive. The satellite radio reception was often interrupted while the system searched for the signal, which is a frequent problem with Kia. The flush-mounted roof rails do not allow cargo to be tied down. And with no hooks underneath, the Sportage is a disappointment when it comes to transporting a canoe or other equipment, considering that this type of vehicle is often chosen for outdoor activities. Photo: Kia Safety equipment includes six airbags (two front, two side and two curtain), four-wheel anti-locking disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, adequate headlights, and five head restraints (active in front). Visibility is generally very good but there is a large blind spot on a three-quarter-rear angle, and the narrow rear window reduces the view to the rear. It is difficult to judge distances in reverse. The top of the dash reflects off the windshield, and the driver has to deal with the glare created when the sun hits the metal trim on the steering wheel. In crash tests conducted by the U.S. government, the Sportage obtained five stars out of five for front-occupant protection in a frontal impact and for all-occupant protection in a side impact. It earned four stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Sportage a Good rating, its highest, for roof strength, for driver protection in a frontal-offset collision and for side- and rear-impact protection of all occupants. Engine and transmission The all-aluminum, 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged four cylinder produces 260 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration and pickup are lively and practically instantaneous, and generally progressive. However, in hard acceleration from a stop we noted a pause at around 3,000 rpm. With a 55-litre tank and an average fuel consumption of 11.2 L/100 km, fuel autonomy is unimpressive, but at least the engine uses regular gasoline. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly. Its gears are well spaced, and it allows the vehicle to be driven off in second. Manual mode is relatively quick. This transmission has a fuel-saving idle control, shifting to neutral when the car is stopped for more than two seconds with the shifter in Drive and the brakes applied. Idle control functions in conjunction with the hill-start assist control. It also has an Eco mode, which modifies throttle response and air conditioning. In Eco mode the transmission is slow to downshift. The on-demand all-wheel-drive system automatically transfers up to 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels if the front wheel slip or the driver tramps the accelerator. The system is quite fast and functions discretely, with no intervention from the driver. However, in certain conditions the driver can use Lock mode to lock in a 50/50 torque split up to a speed of 30 km/h, after which the system switches to automatic mode. The system functions efficiently and is relatively quick. Two other systems designed to control the vehicle in sharp inclines are included as standard equipment. The first prevents the vehicle from rolling back when starting off, and the second controls slow-speed descents. Both function competently, and both are systems that are usually offered on more expensive vehicles. On the road The Sportage’s four-wheel independent suspension is on the firm side, but it delivers a smooth ride in most situations. When the road becomes bumpy, the ride firms up, sometimes to the point of stiffness. Road holding is very good for the type of vehicle, and the Sportage holds its trajectory well, even on uneven pavement. The Sportage is more likely to distinguish itself on the road than off. People who intend to venture off the beaten path should note that while the Sportage’s 17.2-cm ground clearance is higher than a car’s, it is lower than that of many other sport-utes and crossovers. The electric power steering is well weighted, stable, precise and relatively quick. It provides a small degree of road feedback, and its turning circle is small. The brakes are powerful, with good fade resistance. Inspection In an inspection conducted at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, we saw that the Sportage’s sturdy underside is well protected against corrosion and that it is generally well built. However, the air-conditioner condenser and the turbo air exchanger can be damaged by debris that can get through the large openings under the front bumper. The electric motor that manages the rear differential is highly exposed, as is the rear wiring for the ABS system. The engine’s overhead camshafts are driven by a chain. Conclusion In the Sportage SX, Kia has a model that Hyundai as well as several competitors cannot quite match. With its smooth, lively engine and good road comportment, the SX has lots of appeal. It all comes at a price, however, and for the same, relatively high price, you can get a vehicle that is more spacious and more comfortable. PROS: engine performance, handling, smooth automatic transmission, fit and finish, generous standard equipment, good warranty CONS: three-quarter-rear/rear visibility, deficient soundproofing, wide doorsills, cabin air distribution needs work, lower-than-average fuel autonomy, flush roof rails 2013 KIA SPORTAGE Engine: 16-valve, 2.4-litre 4-cylinder; 16-valve, turbo, 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Horsepower: 176 hp at 6,000 rpm; 260 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 168 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm; 269 lb-ft from 1,850 to 3,000 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 264 cm Length: 440 cm (SX: 445 cm) Width: 185.5 cm (without mirrors) Height: 163.5 cm Weight: 1 432 to 1 635 kg Tires: P215/70R16; P235/55R18 Maximum towing capacity: 907 kg Airbags: dual front, two side and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption with automatic transmission, 2.0-litre turbo engine and AWD Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 10 L/100 km (28 mpg) Highway: 7.7 L/100 km (37 mpg) Test result: 11.2 L/100 km (25.5 mpg) Test temperature: 6°C to 28°C CO2 emissions: 4,140 kg/20,000 km Fuel tank capacity: 55 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 7.4 seconds 60–100 km/h: 5.3 seconds Competition: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan Warranty: Full basic coverage: 5 years/100,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km Emissions control system: 5 years/100,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $1,042 Front brake disc: $117 Brake pads: $106 Front shock absorber: $299 Front fender: $199 Price according to trim level (freight and preparation included): LX: $23,645 LX AWD: $28,845 (with automatic transmission) EX: $29,245 EX Luxury AWD: $35,745 SX: $39,045 Main options: Automatic transmission package: $2,700 (LX) AWD package: $2,500 (EX) Navigation package: $1,500 (EX Luxury) Price as tested: $39,045 Dealers: Quebec: 55 Canada: 166 © September 2012. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec .