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Well it is just over two months and 7000 kms on my Kia Sportage Diesel so time to report back.
Purely and simply this is the best vehicle that I have ever owned. Sure the XR6 Turbo was fun but low suspension was a hassle and Ford’s reliability was poor.
The Kia gets 6.7/100 driven normally between fills with nearly all highway driving. At worst it got 7.2/100 towing trailer for 200 kms and bit of town driving.
It is quiet, has the same power and torque as my PC Challenger but hell of a lot lighter. Handles and rides extremely well. Brakes are brilliant.
The auto to diesel mating is dam near perfect. The old BA Ford Turbo to 4 speed was very good, but this thing is even better.
Reasonably roomy inside but does not take up much space on the outside. Proper spare!
Only regret was it was brought as a commuter vehicle so is the poverty pack. I do miss the climate control and some controls do not work the way I like such as high beam. But dam impressive vehicle. Love the fill to the brim an get 900 kms from a tank and unlike DooSo that drinks 105 litres Hoofu sips 60 or less litres.
Frankly, if Hoofu continues to perform as he is doing I think Kia will have a loyal customer. At work we almost have every small SUV in the car park so chance to compare and contrast. The Rava diesel had its motor replaced. The Mazada is too small for my frame. The Subaru bit cramped as well. Xtrail bit plastic like on the inside. The Mitsubishi drinks fuel.
Off-road is not really Hoofu’s thing as probably worse in class ground clearance. But on a very muddy and slippery block he went were he was pointed while some 4WD utes cut deep tracks and slide around. That was not even locking in the centre connection.
DooSo is a proper 4x4 and remarkably capable Cruiser. But Hoofu as a long range commuter and around town shopping trolley excells. Two rather different ends of the 4x4/AWD market. Each has their own place.
The “proper” six speed auto in the Sportage around town kills the dual clutch I40 a friend has, though the I40 is pretty impressive on the highway. The Korean duo in my opinion rather show up a lot of their competitors.
Kia has gone from cheapest, to best value and in my opinion is best in class. Mainly due to Mazadas been rather tight for the bigger driver. No mean feat as the Sportage is in one of the most hard fought classes. It is clear by work’s car park people’s opinions differ and there not a really bad car in the car park in the small SUV range.
I hope Kia does a proper 4x4 as this would show up a few much hyped vehicles.
Purely and simply this is the best vehicle that I have ever owned. Sure the XR6 Turbo was fun but low suspension was a hassle and Ford’s reliability was poor.
The Kia gets 6.7/100 driven normally between fills with nearly all highway driving. At worst it got 7.2/100 towing trailer for 200 kms and bit of town driving.
It is quiet, has the same power and torque as my PC Challenger but hell of a lot lighter. Handles and rides extremely well. Brakes are brilliant.
The auto to diesel mating is dam near perfect. The old BA Ford Turbo to 4 speed was very good, but this thing is even better.
Reasonably roomy inside but does not take up much space on the outside. Proper spare!
Only regret was it was brought as a commuter vehicle so is the poverty pack. I do miss the climate control and some controls do not work the way I like such as high beam. But dam impressive vehicle. Love the fill to the brim an get 900 kms from a tank and unlike DooSo that drinks 105 litres Hoofu sips 60 or less litres.
Frankly, if Hoofu continues to perform as he is doing I think Kia will have a loyal customer. At work we almost have every small SUV in the car park so chance to compare and contrast. The Rava diesel had its motor replaced. The Mazada is too small for my frame. The Subaru bit cramped as well. Xtrail bit plastic like on the inside. The Mitsubishi drinks fuel.
Off-road is not really Hoofu’s thing as probably worse in class ground clearance. But on a very muddy and slippery block he went were he was pointed while some 4WD utes cut deep tracks and slide around. That was not even locking in the centre connection.
DooSo is a proper 4x4 and remarkably capable Cruiser. But Hoofu as a long range commuter and around town shopping trolley excells. Two rather different ends of the 4x4/AWD market. Each has their own place.
The “proper” six speed auto in the Sportage around town kills the dual clutch I40 a friend has, though the I40 is pretty impressive on the highway. The Korean duo in my opinion rather show up a lot of their competitors.
Kia has gone from cheapest, to best value and in my opinion is best in class. Mainly due to Mazadas been rather tight for the bigger driver. No mean feat as the Sportage is in one of the most hard fought classes. It is clear by work’s car park people’s opinions differ and there not a really bad car in the car park in the small SUV range.
I hope Kia does a proper 4x4 as this would show up a few much hyped vehicles.
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