2011 Kia Sportage

[airbalancer]

pretty ugly

[CanuckG35]

Thanks for posting the pics conwelpic, definitely a great looking SUV.  I wonder how long it will be before the LED DRLs are available? 

[IceAndFire]

Thanks for posting the pics conwelpic, definitely a great looking SUV.  I wonder how long it will be before the LED DRLs are available? 

I guess from all of the marketing I kind of assumed that all of them would have that feature. Is it reserved for the high end models or just not available in Canada right now?

[CanuckG35]

Thanks for posting the pics conwelpic, definitely a great looking SUV.  I wonder how long it will be before the LED DRLs are available? 

I guess from all of the marketing I kind of assumed that all of them would have that feature. Is it reserved for the high end models or just not available in Canada right now?

From what I understand, the LED DRLs will be available on the EX and EX Luxury, but this feature is listed as "late availability". 

[random006]

Thanks for posting the pics conwelpic, definitely a great looking SUV.  I wonder how long it will be before the LED DRLs are available? 

I guess from all of the marketing I kind of assumed that all of them would have that feature. Is it reserved for the high end models or just not available in Canada right now?

From what I understand, the LED DRLs will be available on the EX and EX Luxury, but this feature is listed as "late availability". 

Only on some models and not right away?      I have to admit that was one of those little features that rated pretty high in my book.  I'm tired of using up my headlamps as DRLs when it is so unnecessary given today's technology.

[CanuckG35]

I took the new Sportage out today for a test drive. It was a fully loaded black/black EX Luxury with Nav.

Overall, I was very impressed with it. Exterior looks were fantastic, even more so than in pictures. For me, it's easily the most visually appealing compact SUV/CUV on the market today.

The interior was well executed with fit and finish being average, or even above average for this segment. I found the leather seats to be extremely comfortable. I never bothered to test the stereo or Nav system so I can't comment on that. The interior was very quiet at highway speeds. I did find however, that wind noise was a little above average with the sunroof open. No biggie though.

Handling on the Sportage was fantastic, definitely above average. The engine was pretty quiet as well and I didn't find it harsh or thrashy at all. Shifts were very smooth, whether they were in manual mode or not. The one thing that did disappoint a little was acceleration. It wasn't bad at all, but I guess I was expecting a little more ooomph during WOT. I wasn't expecting accleration like my S2000 or Infiniti G35, but I was still expecting a little more. Overall though, it wouldn't make me not purchase the vehicle.

There is an extremely good chance that this will be my next vehicle this fall.

[rrocket]

I took the new Sportage out today for a test drive. It was a fully loaded black/black EX Luxury with Nav.

Overall, I was very impressed with it. Exterior looks were fantastic, even more so than in pictures. For me, it's easily the most visually appealing compact SUV/CUV on the market today.

The interior was well executed with fit and finish being average, or even above average for this segment. I found the leather seats to be extremely comfortable. I never bothered to test the stereo or Nav system so I can't comment on that. The interior was very quiet at highway speeds. I did find however, that wind noise was a little above average with the sunroof open. No biggie though.

Handling on the Sportage was fantastic, definitely above average. The engine was pretty quiet as well and I didn't find it harsh or thrashy at all. Shifts were very smooth, whether they were in manual mode or not. The one thing that did disappoint a little was acceleration. It wasn't bad at all, but I guess I was expecting a little more ooomph during WOT. I wasn't expecting accleration like my S2000 or Infiniti G35, but I was still expecting a little more. Overall though, it wouldn't make me not purchase the vehicle.

There is an extremely good chance that this will be my next vehicle this fall.

C'mon..the S2000 accelerates like a dog...   I bet the Sportage would show the S2000 its taillights...

All kidding aside...what was the MSRP??

[CanuckG35]

^ Hahahaha, maybe you're right Ron!   

IIRC, the MSRP was $34,800 or there about. 

[rrocket]

^ Hahahaha, maybe you're right Ron!   

IIRC, the MSRP was $34,800 or there about. 

Does the body look like a PITA to wax?   

[CanuckG35]

^ Hahaha, looks like a breeze to detail actually.   

[EV Dan]

I took the new Sportage out today for a test drive. It was a fully loaded black/black EX Luxury with Nav.

Overall, I was very impressed with it. Exterior looks were fantastic, even more so than in pictures. For me, it's easily the most visually appealing compact SUV/CUV on the market today.

The interior was well executed with fit and finish being average, or even above average for this segment. I found the leather seats to be extremely comfortable. I never bothered to test the stereo or Nav system so I can't comment on that. The interior was very quiet at highway speeds. I did find however, that wind noise was a little above average with the sunroof open. No biggie though.

Handling on the Sportage was fantastic, definitely above average. The engine was pretty quiet as well and I didn't find it harsh or thrashy at all. Shifts were very smooth, whether they were in manual mode or not. The one thing that did disappoint a little was acceleration. It wasn't bad at all, but I guess I was expecting a little more ooomph during WOT. I wasn't expecting accleration like my S2000 or Infiniti G35, but I was still expecting a little more. Overall though, it wouldn't make me not purchase the vehicle.

There is an extremely good chance that this will be my next vehicle this fall.

Appreciate your comment on handling. Need it quicker - wait for the 270hp turbo.

[CanuckG35]

^ The turbo will work fantastic in this vehicle.  Unfortunately, I don't think I can wait for it.  We'll see. 

[rrocket]

^ The turbo will work fantastic in this vehicle.  Unfortunately, I don't think I can wait for it.  We'll see. 

Man...would it break your heart if the Turbo Sportage was the fastest car in your stable??   

[CanuckG35]

Btw, here are a few pics of the Sportage that I test drove today.

[CanuckG35]

^ The turbo will work fantastic in this vehicle.  Unfortunately, I don't think I can wait for it.  We'll see. 

Man...would it break your heart if the Turbo Sportage was the fastest car in your stable??   

Ugh, that is a sad thought indeed!   



 

[stodge]

Interior materials "look" cheap or is that an optical illusion? How do they look and feel in the flesh?

[CanuckG35]

IMHO, interior materials were fine, just as good or better than others in this segment.  All of the online reviews that I read have had a lot of positive comments on the fit and finish and materials used.

[Minou]

Saw a few at a local dealer today.  Lots of hard plastics inside if you shell out 30K+ for a leather clad loaded model.  But the execution looks very good.

What bugs me the most, after the poor outward visibility is the rounded shape of the rear hatch and the absence of any thing resembling a rear bumper.  Backing up into a pole or even a small rear end hit will be very costly in this vehicle.

Kia has a winner in its lineup nonetheless.  I was surprised at the action and number of people looking at this particular dealer on a Friday afternoon in July.

[Schmengie]

 The new Sportage looks puffed-up, like the stylists penned it on a balloon and then inflated it. I guess that's all the rage these days, but it doesn't do a thing for me.

[CanuckG35]

^ I am not sure what you mean by puffed up, but I always love reading what everyone's thoughts are on different vehicles.  IMHO, it's a great thing that everyone has different tastes.....makes the world a less boring place.