2018

If you can pass the strange face of the Sportage and sit in the driver's seat, you will find a tasteful interior almost like Audi in its details. A 181-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard on the EX and SX models; the all-wheel drive is optional. The SX Turbo offers a supercharged 2.0 hp 240 hp turbo. The interior features infotainment features with touch screen; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. Active safety features such as automatic emergency braking are also available.

The updated Kia platform for the Sportage has increased slightly in length and wheelbase, resulting in a more comfortable rear seat and a modest increase in load capacity to 31 cubic feet, five cubes more than before but still small enough for compact intersections. Bending the second row level, however, doubles the size of the cargo space, and the tailgate on the upper frame automatically opens after a few seconds of proximity to the keyring.

The base is also much stiffer than before, allowing suspension to be adjusted to poorly maintained roads, even with the heaviest bumps and 19-inch wheels on our four-wheel drive SX Turbo (the younger models are 17 or 18 years old).

Though lighter in weight and weighing about 100 pounds more than before, our 3768-pound tester recorded a solid 6.9 second-zero time at 60 mph and covered the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds at 91 mph.

Kia now allows you to set the throttle and change the programming by normal driving modes, sporty and environmentally friendly, the latter being the most effective at smoothing the power output.

Although Kia's cabin is still unavoidable, it has been fitted with richer materials and more support seats. The eye-catching details are rare, but the execution seems exclusive. The SX models are fully equipped with heated and cooled front leather seats, a touchscreen infotainment system and the latest brand name driving aids, including warning and braking lines with automatic emergency. A large panoramic sunroof is included in the turbo as well as the quad LED fog lights.

Additional Features Can Be Bought