Car Reviws |
| 2011 Kia Sportage EX, an AW Drivers Log: Posted: 05 Jan 2011 06:49 AM PST  Kia The 2011 Kia Sportage EX
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: A wonky seat heater is not what I want when it's 20 degrees outside. I couldn't get it to stay on last night, and I couldn't get it to turn off this morning. Disappointing. Other than that, I basically feel like I did when I drove one of these a month ago: I like it for the most part. It's a nice-enough-looking little ute and is semicompetitive with the Chevrolet Equinox, the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, etc. The interior design is good for the most part and the center stack is intuitive. I'd like to see better materials and more comfortable seats for nearly $30,000, though. The thing could use more power. A six-cylinder isn't optional though a four-cylinder turbo is on the way. That should help. This four is smooth enough but has a bit of a chore hauling this thing around. And the sticker price: No. If one buys Kia at all, it's because they're inexpensive wheels. This car isn't inexpensive; it's priced right along with the Honda, the Chevy and the Toyota--all of which I'd take over this. To compel buyers, this car needs to be $23,000 as is. I realize it's well-equipped, with navigation, backup camera and satellite radio, the works, but some of that money should have gone into better steering and nicer interior materials. NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: I took this Kia to the largest outdoor hockey game in history, and it was stout in pretty bad weather for the ride home. Then it was decent on the coldest, iciest worst commute of the season so far. So for that, I am generally grateful to the Sportage. The engine is just OK. It could use a bit more power, but it's respectable and does the job. The transmission is reasonably smooth, and the chassis is compliant for handling a variety of situations. I like the crossover road view and style. It looks pretty sleek, I'd say, and Kia did a nice job with the design. It handles a bit more like a car, though, and the front-wheel and four-cylinder dynamic is rather weak at times. It has a light curb weight for this kind of vehicle, which I like, though in icy roads I actually wouldn't have minded a little more heft. I agree with Wes, something weird is going on with the seat heaters. You had to press the button a certain way to get them to work. Annoying. Otherwise, this is a solid entry for Kia and the latest in a string of decent products. It just costs a touch too much. I think I'd take an Equinox or a Ford Escape over this. COPY CHIEF WENDY WARREN KEEBLER: I have a feeling that car notes for these few days will be all on the one theme of dealing with snow, ice and extreme cold temps (try 8 degrees). I am annoyed along with Wes and Greg about the nonfunctioning driver's seat heater. With that said, cabin heater, front and rear defrosters, wipers and wiper fluid all worked very well. That said, the Sportage was not exactly a reliable champ over the ice and hard-packed snow; it most definitely slid and hesitated, with wheels spinning a bit, even on gentle pulls away from stoplights. The little ute has a nice look, but yowee, that price is too high. EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: This is not my favorite in the latest crop of small utes--I'd opt for an Equinox or Escape before settling for the Sportage. But I doubt one of those models would come with all those goodies like navigation, keyless entry and ignition, mongo audio and leather (heated or not) for this sticker. Note, though, that this is a front-driver and four-cylinder, and a somewhat underwhelming four-cylinder at that. It takes quite a thrashing at times to get this car up to the desired speed--it does get there, but it takes a heavy whip and it makes a lot of noise doing it. I recommend that Kia focus on getting the basics perfect before moving into too many creature comforts. For instance, the passenger seat is heated only, and the switch worked fine. Adding ventilation to the driver's seat meant the switch had to do double duty--and it wasn't quite up to the task. I could make it work through judicious and careful switching, but it should not be that poor. 2011 Kia Sportage EX Base Price: $23,990 As-Tested Price: $28,490 Drivetrain: 2.4-liter I4; FWD, six-speed automatic Output: 176 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 168 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm Curb Weight: 3,186 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 25/22.3 mpg Options: Premium package including leather seat trim, heated front seats, air-cooled driver seats, push-button start with smart key, panoramic sunroof, rear sonar, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, heated outside mirrors, cargo cover ($3,000); navigation including premium audio including exterior amp and subwoofer, satellite radio, camera display ($1,500) |
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