2014 Kia Sportage first drive review

The new Kia Sportage is better in some ways, but not by enough to return the car to its formerly commanding position in a developing class.

The changes make for a big gain on mechanical refinement. It’s not an entirely fair comparison, but the 2.0-litre CRDI we sampled was so much better mannered than the 1.7 CRDI driven a few months ago that you’d scarcely believe the difference.

Both engine and suspension noise are greatly reduced; not to the same level as the class-leading Nissan, but enough to put the Kia back into contention.

Inside the cabin, while the trim updates are welcome, you don’t get the same occupant space or quality of trim fit-and-finish as in the best-in-class alternatives.

The seats are still quite flat under thigh, and headroom remains particularly disappointing. Boot space is good, but that’s about the only way the Sportage offers a great deal more than a normal family five-door.

Go for the top-of-the-range 181bhp diesel auto flagship Sportage and you’ll get a car with a reasonable turn of speed, but not once you’d call sporting. The car’s generous portion of torque combines nicely with its slick-shifting auto ‘box, however, and gives the car a certain air of polish and authority on the move.

The standard four-wheel drive system can only split power 60:40 at speeds greater than 28mph; even if you press the button to lock the split 50:50, you’ll be overridden when you exceed that speed. Most of the time the driveline sends power predominantly forwards.  

Our test car wasn’t fitted with Kia’s Flexsteer system. It steered well enough, but little meaningful progress has been made in the way the car handles. The Sportage still seems larger and a shade more cumbersome than many of its rivals.

It’s pleasant enough to lope along in and quite comfortable, but one-dimensional with it. The Kia's no longer a dynamic benchmark, in other words.

At this price point, you’d probably need your head examined if you did. £29k isn’t too far off BMW X3 or Range Rover Evoque money, after all.

Lower down in the model catalogue, the Sportage makes a better case for itself. It looks as great as ever, it’s well equipped for the cash and – now – it should prove more pleasing to live with.

But what was once our crossover class favourite has undoubtedly become an appealing alternative, thanks mainly to the strides of improvement made by other cars, in what’s probably the most important segment in the European car market at the moment.

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI KX-4 Automatic

Price £29,495; 0-62mph 9.8sec; Top speed 122mph; Economy 39.8mpg; CO2 187g/km; Kerb weight 1601kg; Engine 4 cyls, 1995cc, turbodiesel; Power 181bhp at 4000rpm; Torque 289lb ft at 1800-2500rpm; Gearbox 6-spd automatic