CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
January 23, 2015
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 465
Winners and losers in 2014 Storypage3
EXTRA APPEAL: The Kia Sportage is an attractive, versatile and affordable mid-sized SUV.
Extra warranty adds to Sportage’s appeal T
he boom in Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) shows no sign of abating. Such is the confidence of major carmakers that they are loading up their ranges with up to five 4WD/SUV models in varying sizes, styles and degrees of toughness. Kia was one of the pioneers of the mid-sized soft-road SUVs when it launched the original Sportage way back in 1996. Indeed it was one of the first models to go on sale here when the Korean carmaker arrived downunder, and is the only one to have been here continuously since then. For many years sales were hampered by Sportage’s rather bland styling but all that changed when Kia brought in renowned design chief, Peter Schreyer, who transformed the third-generation model into a much more stylish vehicle, one that is gradually clawing
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY its way up the sales ladder in this most competitive of segments. Four Sportage equipment levels are offered: Si (2WD petrol manual or auto); Si Premium (2WD petrol auto only); SLi (4WD petrol or diesel auto only); and Platinum (4WD petrol or diesel auto only). Our test car was the Sportage Si Premium priced at $30,510 without on-roads and including the optional metallic paint ($520) in an eye-catching Techno Orange. Just because buyers have chosen sensible shapes for their SUVs doesn’t mean that they want them to be bland and boring which unfortunately Sportage was for much of its 18 years. All that changed when it underwent the duckling/swan treatment and Sportage is
now right up there with the most attractive SUVs on the market. Sportage comes with the choice of two four-cylinder engines, one petrol and one diesel. Each has a capacity of 2.0 litres but the diesel puts out significantly more power (135 kW vs 122 kW) and torque (392 Nm vs 205 Nm) than the petrol. The diesel comes only with four-wheel drive and automatic transmission while the petrol gets that same combination as well as 2WD with either manual or automatic. Both transmissions have six forward ratios. There are no paddle shifters so manual overrides can only be made via the gear lever. Interior space is well managed with reasonable rear legroom and, given the rearsloping roofline, surprisingly good head space. Width will be the main issue for any more than
two rear passengers with the narrow centre seat only suitable for small children. Cargo space is right up with the best in the class ranging from 564 litres with the rear seatbacks upright to 1353 litres with them folded. There’s a full size spare wheel under the cargo area floor which makes for a relatively high loading height. All Sportage models come with an impressive list of standard safety equipment. On top of the mandatory stability and traction control there are six airbags; ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist; Downhill Brake Control; Hill-Start Assist; Emergency Stop Signal; rear parking sensors; impact sensing auto door unlocking; and static cornering lamps. All but the Si manual also have Trailer Stability Control.
Continued page 2