Kia cleverly adds three diesel options to the popular Sportage range, two of which have no direct price range rivals. Braam Peens samples the new CRDi model in the Mother City to see what it is all about.
A quick – and given the price of new cars, sometimes scary and always cursory – glance across automotive segments provides a revelatory snapshot of buying trends in the South African passenger vehicle market.
Key takeouts are that nearly two-thirds of new vehicle sales now originate from compact and medium-sized SUVs, within which manual transmission-equipped models are continually losing their appeal; making petrol automatics almost the default choice.
Related: Kia introduces diesel Sportage CRDi into SUV lineup
And what of diesels? There are a handful of options at the R300k-R400k entry point; a similar number between R700k-R900k and a raft of seven-digit price picks thereafter. Between R500k and R700k, though, where what’s left of the country’s economically active middle class is being forced to shop – there is not a single one.
Enter Kia, that trotted out a petrol version of the fifth-generation Sportage in September 2022 (incidentally, a contender for the 2023 South African Car of the Year), but having finally gotten around to adding a trio of oil-burning derivatives to the incumbent five-strong petrol line-up.
These will exist as the LX, EX and GT-Line Plus, respectively selling for R597 995, R651 995 and R735 995. In a welcome (and possibly deliberate) attempt at further differentation from its DNA-donating doppelgänger Hyundai, the Sportage does not feature the same 2,0-litre 137 kW/416 N.m turbodiesel engine as the Tucson.
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Rather, for that purpose Kia calls upon the 1,6-litre unit from the Soul, the production of which in right-hand drive was discontinued following the cessation of its second generation after 2018. The imminently-replaced Rio is set to follow the same path for this very reason closer to the end of this year.
The Sportage’s CRDi’s maximum output of 100 kW/320 N.m is solely sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, although the latter lacks paddleshift override in any model but the GT-Line Plus.
On paper, the absence of all-corner tractive competency puts the Sportage at a disadvantage against price rivals such as Mazda’s geriatric CX-5 2,2 DE AWD Akera (R765 300) and the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TDI 4Motion (R794 800). Yet neither of these can hold a candle to the Kia’s 591-litre boot capacity or protracted spec list.
Speaking of specs
Even the base Sportage LX comes as standard equipped with – most noteworthy – 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, auto LED headlamps, dual-zone climate control, blind spot collision warning, a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment screen doubling as a monitor for the reverse camera and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
The EX grade adds front parking sensors, 18-inch wheels and a black grille. Seat trim is upgraded to a pastiche of cloth and leather – all four pews can be heated and ditto the steering wheel – as well as the front pair being electrically adjustable with a memory function added to that of the driver.
The flagship GT-Line Plus is additionally treated to 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, an electrically-powered tailgate and leather/suede interior. An active safety system comprising forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and blind spot warning is also fitted.
Behind the wheel
With the right pedal piled into the footwell carpet, the Sportage expectedly lacks the urge of its more muscular Korean cousin. To its credit, even under duress it’s nearly impossible to discern the petite engine’s compression-oriented acoustics; but by way of a debit, and perhaps for the same reason – at velocities in excess of 130 km/h buffering around the wing mirrors and A-pillar becomes quite prevalent.
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Elsewhere, the Kia is a capable, content and comfortable cruiser – its mechanical arrangement decidedly more configured towards coaxing smiles at the pump than shaving seconds off the stopwatch. At not-quite law-breaking speeds, it’ll compliantly sniff out an apex, even though presumably few Sportage owners will feel the urge to regularly do so.
For vehicles across almost all segments, improvements in materials have augmented the tactile quality of modern automotive interiors to a level that’s hard to fault. The Sportage is no different. While at face value that seems like a throwaway comment, for the exceedingly price-sensitive South African market, quality and rand-for-spec have become decisive value drivers. It’s no different for those feeling the pinch necessitated into buying down and willing to only accept the least number of compromises.
To this end, the entire range of diesel Sportages offers strong value. The entry-level LX is the standout here; providing as much standard equipment that most cent-saving tyre-kickers will find satisfactory – priced not just below the R600k psychological mark, but also in a band that crucially lacks contenders.
It’s taken Kia seven months to bring a diesel version of the Sportage to South African shores: clearly good things come to those who wait.
Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi GT-Line Plus Fast Facts
Price: R735 995
Engine: front-mounted, turbodiesel, 1 598cc, inline-four
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch
Power: 100 kW @ 4 000 rpm
Torque: 320 N.m @ 2 000 – 2 250 rpm
Driven wheels: Front
0-100 km/h: 11,4 sec
Top speed: 180 km/h
Fuel consumption: 4,9 l/100km (combined)
CO2 emissions: 129 g/km
Rivals: Haval H6, Volkswagen Tiguan, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4
Looking for your next Kia Sportage? Look no further than CARmag, have a look at our new and used listings here.
