Style and substance: The 2011 Kia Sportage

If you park the 2010 Kia Sorento and the 2011 Kia Sportage side by side, you’ll immediately see the similarities in exterior design. Aside from the trademark chrome tiger nose radiator grille, which all new Kia vehicles brandish, you’ll notice that both SUVs have a high beltline, identically shaped front bumpers with large integrated fog lamps, similar wrap-around headlamps (except for the LED daytime running “angel lights,” which only the Sportage has), chrome door pulls, bulging front wheel arches, thick rear roof pillars and a bulbous butt. Although the Sportage looks sleeker and edgier, it appears to have derived some styling cues from the Sorento, which was launched in Manila in late 2010, some six or so months earlier than the Sportage.

Fact is, the 2011 Sportage was never formally launched by Columbian Autocar Corp., the exclusive Philippine distributor of Kia vehicles, which chose to announce its arrival in the market via print advertisements. The third-generation Sportage hit our shores rather late, having debuted at the March 2010 Geneva Motor Show or more than a year ago. Due to rave reviews it got in the United States and Europe, the all-new Sportage is one of the most widely anticipated vehicles by SUV fans here.

Ironically enough, the completely redesigned Sportage aims to grab market share from its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Tucson, the leader in the compact SUV segment. (In South Korea, Hyundai Motor Co. owns 39 percent of Kia Motors Corp.) But that may  be an uphill climb since the  fluidic-sculptured Tucson was launched in Manila in December 2009, a year and a half earlier, and has consolidated its market position.

Kinship

The 2011 Sportage and 2010 Tucson share kinship in more ways than one.  They are built on the same platform and are powered by the same 2.0 liter Theta II 16 valve multipoint injection DOHC gasoline engine with Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) delivering 166 ps/6,200 rpm and 20.3 kg-m/4,600 rpm through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Underpinnings consisting of a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and multi-link system at the rear are common to both, as are disc brakes on all four 16-inch wheels.

While the common rail direct injection (CRDi) diesel variant of the Tucson is available, as of this writing Columbian Autocar doesn’t offer the CRDi 2011 Sportage. Neither is the AWD 2.4 liter Theta II Sportage. I hear that Kia Motors exports most of the CRDi Sportage units to European and other markets where the diesel fuel is of good quality and doesn’t require the recalibration of CRDi engines. Since the recalibrating process is expensive and the Philippines with low-quality diesel fuel is only a small market, those of us hoping for the more powerful CRDi variant of the snazzy new Sportage will have to wait—don’t ask me until when.

That said, the new 2.0 liter gasoline Sportage AT is still an excellent buy considering its retail price (P1,158,000 for the front-wheel-drive, P1,258,000 for the all-wheel-drive) and premium features. Aside from its eye-catching body language, the 2011 Sportage is lower, wider and 3.5 inches longer than its predecessor, offers 10 percent more cargo space (26.1 cubic feet with the rear seat up, 54.6 with the rear seat folded) and is more fuel-efficient (averaging 11 km per liter, combined city and highway driving.) Two airbags, ABS and rear parking assist make up the safety features.

Neat

The cabin is spacious and pleasing with neatly fitted interior elements; centrally located touch screen, easy-to-use controls, nicely grained and non-shiny black plastic surfaces and lightly padded touch points. The firm, supportive bucket type front seats slide, recline and height-adjust while the bench-type 60/40, folding rear seat can comfortably accommodate two tall passengers, even for long trips. There are storage options aplenty throughout the cabin, bins and pockets in the doors and center armrest, cup holders and bottle holders fore and aft. The stereo AM/FM radio/CD player has USB and auxiliary ports.

The impressive expertise and distinctive flair with which the interior and exterior details were assembled in the 2011 Sportage suggest European inputs. Kudos go to head designer Peter Schreyer, formerly of German luxury carmaker Audi. Now, do you wonder where the Sportage’s LED daytime running lights, which first came out in Audi cars and were adapted by the Lexus CT200h, came from?

All the above somewhat compensate for the adequate and respectable but still underwhelming power of the 2.0 liter engine which strains to get all the 3,329 pounds of the Sportage moving. Although as the revs approach the 6,000 rpm horsepower peak, the going gets lively. On twisty roads and tight corners, the taut, upgraded suspension limits body roll and enhances handling. But the ride is stiff and the electronic power steering, while increasing fuel economy, gives a vague, artificial steering feel.

Bottom line, the 2011 Sportage offers style and substance at an attractive price. At present, more style than substance but that should change if and when the 2.4 liter Theta II variant and/or the 181 bhp CRDi AWD model enter the fray.