In the beginning of the video, that stands from that angle have me applauding kia for this distinct design. it really is something they can build on going forward.👍
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Tucson, Escape, Cherokee, and Forester all offer 200+ HP engines? How does this compete with the X3, but not those?
hyundai tucson doesn't have a 200+hp , ford escape is the one similar to the sportage 2.0 turbo but i think it smaller in size, cherokee and the forester have a normal V6 without turbo and both of them look's cheep.
Escape is 245hp/275 lbs feet on their 2.0L, which I think tops the Kias 237/260. The Sportage's 20 MPG City is pretty low though if you ask me. I do applaud manufacturers embracing turbos though!
Tucson gets a smaller, less powerful engine. Escape is the best competitor, no doubt. My point was the CR-V, RAV-4, CX-5, etc. make due with much less.
I've got to be honest with you; I haven't driven a Forester XT in a million years. That being said, I dislike the look of the Forester and prefer the premium touches of the Sportage.
I strongly recommend anyone to test drive the Forester XT, the car is a rocket when in S and S# mode, and it mimics 8 gears when you drive it in S# mode. Just ordered mine last week, can't wait to drive it :)
Had it as a loaner for a week.One of the quietest cars on the road with the turbo.Of course crap gas mileage especially the way I drive.The seat gave me a lower back ache after a week.Otherwise fantastic
Kia recently overtook Porsche to lead the industry in J.D. Power’s annual report card on vehicle quality, marking the first time in 27 years that a nonpremium brand has topped the list.
Was that for initial quality, or long term? I don't trust these direct injection motors, unless you own them since new and ONLY use high quality gas with plenty of cleaning additives.TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes
Kia ranks highest in initial quality with a score of 83 PP100, the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings. It is also the second consecutive year that Kia, which ranked second in 2015, has led all non-premium makes in initial quality.
I would like to see Mazda put that new 2.5 l turbo in the CX 5 to make it more competitive. It's already a great vehicle . Imagine a 3500lb CX 5 with 310 lbft of torque? I'm salivating
The only demerit you truly saw in the Sportage is the cargo area. How much larger is the cargo area in its cousin, the Hyundai Tucson ? (From the Kia's styling, they're very distant cousins.)
+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes The fuel economy of 20 city 23 highway, 21 combined is dreadful for a compact CUV. I think the Sorento’s combined fuel economy is similar to the Sportage with 2.0L turbo. And the 2.4L is not much better either.
Kia intended the name to be pronounced the French way but Americans pronounce it 'Sportidge' as in 'Porridge'. But then they also pronounce Coupe, 'Coup' as in Chicken run.
Korean women tend to dominate LPGA golf and now KIA may dominate the suv segment. To get this without the silly wheels, ice cube lights and cloth interior one has to go to the base model and save 10 grand in the process
I wouldn't want to be in an SUV that can do 275-300 kph if i got careless - cause i know i just would. And that's downright dangerous. Centre of gravity is too high for speeds like that. I don't think people that buy Cayennes know much about aerodynamics
Unreasonable price for the SX turbo. The way to buy this car is the base model, have them throw in a spare tire + kit, 15% off MSRP and the cheap financing. Resale value will murder you. It's priced with Japan cars making it a white elephant
Great review Steve, could this be the more powerful CX5 I've been looking for??
The 2017 escape with 2.0L turbo might be better? Steve what do you think?
Got to get one on the schedule. I'm sure it'll be very good if the past is any indication.
+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes Looking forward.
the FWD jeep cherokee is the best car in this class.... only one with v6 option....... don't get the AWD (too heavy)
+davedavis Dave -- most Jeep owners will make it a prerequisite to have 4wd in their Jeeps. It's in their DNA. Also in their slogan, 4X4ever.
Why buy in this class of vehicle if you don't want 4WD?
Welcome back, Steve.
Vacation is over...lots of videos to post this week!
In the beginning of the video, that stands from that angle have me applauding kia for this distinct design. it really is something they can build on going forward.👍
Demented bug? Nice. My first impression of this car was that it looks like an angry bullfrog.
ahahahahahahahaha I just bought one of these, sx turbo, angry bullfrog is the perfect name
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Tucson, Escape, Cherokee, and Forester all offer 200+ HP engines? How does this compete with the X3, but not those?
hyundai tucson doesn't have a 200+hp , ford escape is the one similar to the sportage 2.0 turbo but i think it smaller in size, cherokee and the forester have a normal V6 without turbo and both of them look's cheep.
Escape is 245hp/275 lbs feet on their 2.0L, which I think tops the Kias 237/260. The Sportage's 20 MPG City is pretty low though if you ask me. I do applaud manufacturers embracing turbos though!
cherokee is only one with normal v6 engine, but skip AWD, too heavy
Tucson gets a smaller, less powerful engine. Escape is the best competitor, no doubt. My point was the CR-V, RAV-4, CX-5, etc. make due with much less.
mugtaba rabih forester does not have a v6. You’re thinking of the outback. The Forrester offers a 2.5 turbo
Steve, would you pick this over the Forester XT?
I've got to be honest with you; I haven't driven a Forester XT in a million years. That being said, I dislike the look of the Forester and prefer the premium touches of the Sportage.
Good question. People seem to forget about the turbo forester xt. Although the forester does have a CVT =(
I strongly recommend anyone to test drive the Forester XT, the car is a rocket when in S and S# mode, and it mimics 8 gears when you drive it in S# mode. Just ordered mine last week, can't wait to drive it :)
Nice! Let us know.
Had it as a loaner for a week.One of the quietest cars on the road with the turbo.Of course crap gas mileage especially the way I drive.The seat gave me a lower back ache after a week.Otherwise fantastic
At the end of the day, reliability and resale value are most important to me, thus RAV4 or CRV would be on my shopping list
Kia recently overtook Porsche to lead the industry in J.D. Power’s annual report card on vehicle quality, marking the first time in 27 years that a nonpremium brand has topped the list.
Was that for initial quality, or long term? I don't trust these direct injection motors, unless you own them since new and ONLY use high quality gas with plenty of cleaning additives.TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes
does it have adaptive cruise control?
Negative
Kia ranks highest in initial quality with a score of 83 PP100, the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings. It is also the second consecutive year that Kia, which ranked second in 2015, has led all non-premium makes in initial quality.
I would like to see Mazda put that new 2.5 l turbo in the CX 5 to make it more competitive. It's already a great vehicle . Imagine a 3500lb CX 5 with 310 lbft of torque? I'm salivating
Don't forget the Mazda6.
The only demerit you truly saw in the Sportage is the cargo area. How much larger is the cargo area in its cousin, the Hyundai Tucson ? (From the Kia's styling, they're very distant cousins.)
The Tucson has more passenger and cargo volume than Sportage. It's small but not infinitesimal.
Gas mileage is also a negative and the styling is subjective.
+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes
The fuel economy of 20 city 23 highway, 21 combined is dreadful for a compact CUV. I think the Sorento’s combined fuel economy is similar to the Sportage with 2.0L turbo. And the 2.4L is not much better either.
How much
Kia intended the name to be pronounced the French way but Americans pronounce it 'Sportidge' as in 'Porridge'. But then they also pronounce Coupe, 'Coup' as in Chicken run.
MrPeterthepilot - That's right; it's a play on the old French Canadian word "Portage".
Because that's how Kia markets it here. If you have a problem with that you have it with the Kia marketing team not the ppl it's marketed to.
Korean women tend to dominate LPGA golf and now KIA may dominate the suv segment. To get this without the silly wheels, ice cube lights and cloth interior one has to go to the base model and save 10 grand in the process
It's a shame when a reviewer mentions BMW in comparison to a BMW Audi or Mercedes
It does look and FEEL like a cayenne. That will piss a lot of people off that paid 5x for this toy
I doubt it, since the Kia is worlds a part from a Porsche where it I counts, under the hood.
I wouldn't want to be in an SUV that can do 275-300 kph if i got careless - cause i know i just would. And that's downright dangerous. Centre of gravity is too high for speeds like that. I don't think people that buy Cayennes know much about aerodynamics
Unreasonable price for the SX turbo.
The way to buy this car is the base model, have them throw in a spare tire + kit, 15% off MSRP and the cheap financing.
Resale value will murder you. It's priced with Japan cars making it a white elephant
Agreed. They need to make the 2.0L turbo available in the lower trims. Paying $30-35k for this thing is utter insanity.
soooooooooooooon my car
Pricey, thirsty, kinda small, and a fugly front end.
Porsche inspired
Terrible fuel economy