Maverick exterior styling is compromised by high-revs racket and an unexpected lack of ride quality
Make no mistake, Kia is on a roll which is causing all sorts of problems not just for European mass-marketeers, but also the German premium brands. The company that’s meant to be Hyundai’s kid sister is slaying it with a series of new model launches as well judged in execution as they are well timed in arrival. As I write the EV6 is the current Car of the Year, and as you read you’ll know whether it has been succeeded by the new Niro which has made the 2023 seven-car shortlist.
But this no less new Sportage SUV? It didn’t quite gel. I was quite interested to see whether it too would mark another step forward and liked its courageously styled exterior and the impressive perceived quality of its interior. On the road however it failed to convince. I can pick holes in almost all areas of its dynamic make up – the engine is too noisy at high revs, the six-speed gearbox sometimes slow and often not entirely smooth. The handling is forgettable and the ride a little less settled than I’d either hoped or expected. Which would be more forgivable if there was some shining talent to offset its mediocre on-road behaviour. But if there is, I failed to spot it.
It seems something of a step back for Kia, a checking of its hitherto relentless recent pace, perhaps before it leaps forward once more. I hope so: to have come so far only to retreat into easy adequacy would be a shame. AF
• Price £39,950
• Engine 1.6 litres, 4 cylinders, petrol, hybrid
• Power 226bhp
• Torque 256lb ft
• Weight 1649kg
• Power to weight 137bhp per tonne
• Transmission Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
• 0-60mph 7.7sec
• Top speed 120mph
• Economy 48.7 mpg
• CO2 132g/km
• Verdict Poor in most departments.
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