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Author Topic: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury  (Read 2852 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« on: October 14, 2010, 04:03:50 am »



A luxury Kia Sportage? Indeed, says Managing Editor Grant Yoxon, with plenty of features in all trims: "No matter what your price point is, you don't have to go away feeling like you gave up something to get an affordable vehicle."

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Offline dguthmann

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2010, 07:51:39 am »
Quote
But the audio system, trip computer and heating and ventilation system displays are red on black. I’m not particularly fond of this combination as I find red hard to read – old eyes, perhaps.

Ahhh..., nice to see someone who agrees with me.  Thank you Grant.  Red text on a black background sucks.  If you disagree, wait a few years till you need reading glasses!!   8)

Nice vehicle otherwise.
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Offline Winterpeg

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2010, 01:51:49 pm »
I agree with my fellow blogger.......don't care for the red lighting but looks fantastic inside and out.
Well done Kia.    :thumbup  ;)
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Offline Shnak

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2010, 02:04:30 pm »
I think it's pretty funny that Greg complains about the red on black displays in the Sportage when he's never said anything about that same color scheme when reviewing the Mazda3... Nobody will convince me that Mazda's color scheme is that much better than Kia's...

Mazda3:


Sportage:


With that said, I'm not a big fan of red-or-orange-on-black either.
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Offline 5 Wheel Drive

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2010, 02:09:54 pm »
My wife works across the street from Donnely Kia.  I saw my first one about 2 months ago when I was dropping her off at work.  They had one just like this one, except orange sitting out front.  I had to pull in to go have a look becasue I had no idea what it was.  I was very surpised to see a Sportage badge on the back.  It's even better looking in person!  I haven't driven one, but if I were shopping right now, this would be pretty high on my test drive list. 
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Offline BernardP

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2010, 03:06:41 pm »
It looks very good, but 35 K$ is a lot of money for a small SUV. Better be careful with all those options.
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Offline wing

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2010, 03:45:06 pm »
The red on black is brutal I can't read it either, but the important gauges are white thankfully in the Kia.
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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2010, 04:21:45 pm »
I have to agree that this looks even better in person. When I first saw the 2011 Sportage in pictures I liked it but now that I saw it in person I love it. It looks so sleek and wide and luxurious and even with the smaller rims ( I prefer the 17`s) this vehicle looks great. I wish I had the money cuz I think it would be my next vehicle or maybe a new CR-V...Good job Kia
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Offline CanuckG35

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #8 on: October 14, 2010, 04:27:35 pm »
It's a fantastic looking vehicle.  I took one for a test drive a couple of times not too long ago when shopping for my next vehicle.  I really liked it, although it turned out to be a little small for me needs.  I found it to be a tad underpowered, however it handled great.  Definitely a good job by Kia.
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Offline sacrat

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2010, 11:49:00 pm »
They seem to be moving away from having this seen as a sister car to the Hyundai Tucson. I haven't been able to figure out if the VSM system is more sophisticated than what's in the Tucson. Does anyone out there know ?
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Offline sacrat

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2010, 11:54:41 pm »
Quote from: CanuckG35 on October 14, 2010, 04:27:35 pm
It's a fantastic looking vehicle.  I took one for a test drive a couple of times not too long ago when shopping for my next vehicle.  I really liked it, although it turned out to be a little small for me needs. I found it to be a tad underpowered, however it handled great.  Definitely a good job by Kia.

Coming from your G35 and S2000 this conclusion seems inevitable
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Offline Winterpeg

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2010, 04:03:24 pm »
Quote from: Shnak on October 14, 2010, 02:04:30 pm
I think it's pretty funny that Greg complains about the red on black displays in the Sportage when he's never said anything about that same color scheme when reviewing the Mazda3... Nobody will convince me that Mazda's color scheme is that much better than Kia's...

Mazda3:


Sportage:


With that said, I'm not a big fan of red-or-orange-on-black either.






Agree with Shnak.....Mazda is no better/worse than Kia's.    ;)
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Offline dguthmann

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2010, 07:56:57 pm »

Quote from: Winterpeg on October 15, 2010, 04:03:24 pm
Agree with Shnak.....Mazda is no better/worse than Kia's.    ;)

My wife's EOS has red on black everywhere on the dash/controls, but she puts up with it.  I hate it.  Something about women and convertibles.  ::)
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Offline mmret

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2010, 11:47:49 pm »
I really like the interior/exterior design here. Hiring that Audi guy was a stroke of genius.
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage EX Luxury
« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2010, 02:51:14 am »
The Vibe had red displays except for the speedometer and tach. I never found it particularly difficult to read. I don't think I really have a preference as to display colour.

There are a couple of new Sportages in my neighbourhood. They seem nice enough, but I'm not a fan of this category.
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