2011 Kia Sportage
by Rebecca Antioco-11/2010

In the past, our feelings about the Kia Sportage could best be described as lukewarm. The previous edition was a capable, not unattractive vehicle that adequately fit the bill for drivers looking for an affordable crossover. But for 2011, Kia gives Sportage a makeover that should shoot it right to the top of your test-drive list.

The upgrades start on the outside. Gone is the generic, could-be-anything look, replaced by a head-turning design marked by a high beltline, pronounced wheel flares and sweeping lines that give the Sportage a real presence. Headlamps sweep back from the brand-new signature grille, and connect visually with the slightly wrapped around tail lights via crisp shoulder lines. It has a modern, contemporary look that had more than one person mistaking it for a luxury vehicle during my weeklong test drive.

The interior gets a much-needed upgrade as well; the quality of the interior appointments topped my list of complaints with the earlier version. While Kia hasn’t completely eschewed hard plastics in favor of more tactilely pleasing materials, texturing in key areas upgrades the look. It’s decidedly more upscale than the previous model, and all controls are attractively positioned and intuitive to operate. There are a few minor creaks and rattles that remind you, lest you’d forgotten, that the Sportage still falls a bit short of luxury.

The upgrades don’t stop at the aesthetics. The incoming Sportage is longer and adds 10 percent more cargo space to the 2010 model’s dimensions. And though the only engine choice is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder (paired with a six-speed automatic), its 176 horsepower is slightly more powerful than the outgoing V-6.

And the driving experience doesn’t disappoint, generally. While you’re not going to leave other cars in your dust pulling away from a traffic light or merging onto the freeway, the 176 horses are adequate to get you up to speed without being a white-knuckle experience. Those looking for more get-up-and-go may want to wait for later in the model year when Kia plans to introduce a turbocharged GDI engine that ups the engine output to 270 horsepower.

I had no trouble finding a good seating position, although I did find that the brake pedal sits a little higher than the accelerator, and that took some getting used to, from a comfort standpoint. Sportage comes in three trims — base, LX and EX — and is well-equipped at every level with standard niceties like air conditioning, power accessories, satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Moving up in trim adds amenities; the top of the line EX gets leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, telescoping steering wheel, automatic-folding rear seats. An SX trim, featuring the larger engine and optional all-wheel drive, will be available later in the year.

My EX was nicely appointed and included the optional ($1500) navigation and premium audio system as well as a premium package ($2500) featuring heated front seats and outside mirrors, push button start with smart key, panoramic sunroof and rear sonar.

Sportage’s cargo room still falls short of offerings from Honda and Toyota, but I found it to be perfect for trips to Costco, hauling the kids and their gear to soccer practice, transporting the dogs to the vet and any other everyday use. And, because it was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, I felt pretty confident about driving around with precious cargo. Rear seat room was more than adequate; car seats fit comfortably in the back, leaving the kids with plenty of room to get in and out, with no necessity to plant their feet on the back of the front seats for comfort. Average-sized adults will be comfortable in the back too, for short jaunts.

Overall, the Sportage is an excellent buy in terms of style, value and drive quality. It costs thousands less than similarly-equipped competitors, and outclasses many of them in terms of design. The cost alone is worth the small sacrifice in cargo capacity.