new Kia

First Drive in the updated Kia Sportage

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love the Kia Sportage. And the Kia brand as a whole! I know this is not a very objective statement, but I don’t care. I have loved the Kia Sportage as long as you have…which is since the third generation launched in 2010. Don’t lie, you did not love it before, no one really did. Because it was the third generation that put Kia on the map, especially here in South Africa. Then the fourth generation landed and it became what David Sieff, Kia Motors South Africa Marketing Director calls, “A Marmite Car.” You either loved the new design or you hated it. I didn’t care what it looked like, I just loved driving it. And nothing has changed for me with this updated version. There are slight changes to the look, like redesigned front and rear bumpers, a bit of treatment to the ‘tiger nose grill’ and a new taillight design and lighting signature. There are also new alloy wheel designs and a new selection of colours. The interior designs are even more subtle with redesigned air vents and centre fascia as well as a new steering wheel design. The bigger change comes with the revision of the range which sees the elimination of a few derivatives which is all in line with trying to increase value and reduce complexity.You can say goodbye to the 2.4 GDI and 1.6 T-GDI, but never fear because the 2.0 MPI and 2.0 CRDI have been retained. There is also a new engine in the form of the 1.6 GDI as well as a new eight-speed automatic transmission on all CRDI models. I hopped in to the 1.6 GDI Ignite first because I wanted to see what the entry level Sportage would be like as it is the one that I would most likely be able to afford. It comes in at R379 995 and features the new 1.6 GDI engine I just mentioned. It puts out 97 kW of power and 161 N.m of torque. It’s only available with a six-speed transmission. This engine is certainly not the one I would choose if I had the cash, purely because it does lack a bit of oomph and under hard acceleration tends to screech just a bit. But then again, I am heavy footed and the 12.1 seconds it would take me to get to 100 km/h is just not quick enough. With that said, the spec is certainly up to scratch. You can expect cruise control, rear parking sensors, a smooth (noticeably smooth!) leather-wrapped steering wheel, six airbags, ABS with EBD, hill start assist, downhill brake control, manual air conditioning, remote central locking, all round electric windows, Bluetooth, and so much more. I mean come on, do you really need much else? I don’t think so. The only noticeable ‘downfall’ is the infotainment screen and that is only because I got to experience the seven-inch infotainment system in the EX trim level. Let’s pretend I am not a motoring journalist and so have money to actually buy a car, I would opt for the 2.0 CRDi EX 8AT which comes in at R509 995, I wouldn’t even need the fancy as f*&% top of the range EX Plus which hits the market at R549 995. Unless you need a sunroof and a wireless charger (I judge you), then the EX will be just fine. When I say I love this brand, I truly mean it. There is nothing like the breath of fresh air that comes with an honest manufacturer. Kia doesn’t disclose its fuel consumption figures to us because, as they say, what is the point? The conditions of these fuel consumption tests are in no way representative of real life. There are so many things that can determine the fuel consumption, namely the route you drive and the way you drive. In other words, don’t drive like a doos and you should be good. But seriously, there is no point in a claimed number. You’re better of taking the car for a test drive over a weekend to experience it in your world, that will give you a much better indication. The Kia Sportage is comfortable, quiet, spacious, fully-specced, smooth, and just all kinds of wonderful. If you’re shopping in this segment, you cannot leave the Kia Sportage off of your list of cars to consider. In fact, I think you’d be an idiot to not put it right at the top of that list! PRICING OF THE UPDATED KIA SPORTAGE KIA Sportage 1.6 GDI Ignite (6-Speed Auto) R379,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 Ignite Plus (6-Speed Manual) R389,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 Ignite Plus (6-Speed Auto) R403,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 CRDI Ignite Plus (8-Speed Auto) R453,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 EX (6-Speed Auto) R459,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX (8-Speed Auto) R509,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX AWD (8-Speed Auto) R536,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 EX Plus (6-Speed Auto) R499,995 KIA Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX Plus (8-Speed Auto) R549,995

First drive in the Kia Grand Sedona

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Never underestimate a Kia! That is what I say to my Dad far too often. Although, to his credit, he has started listening to me. It was after I forced him in to the Sportage I was driving last December and he hated to admit that he really, I mean really really, enjoyed it. What is it with South Africans? Hey? My Dad still has this warped idea that Kia makes cheap cars. Now, I get that it came from rather humble beginnings back in 1998. That year saw just 310 units sold, across the board! But things change. In 2006, Kia did something just a little bit genius. They brought on Peter Schreyer, the man who was behind the very first Audi TT, as Chief Design Officer. And then Kia’s world changed, as did ours (added for extra dramatics). The new Sportage hit the market in 2010 and people went batshit crazy! I mean, like, proper cray cray for that thing. All my friends wanted one. I wanted one. Then boom! 2011, the new Kia Rio hit the market. Changing lives (I might be going a bit far with the dramatics). And then again. Boom! 2012 – the new Kia Picanto. Kia was on fire. And still is. You might think that because the focus is so heavily on design (it is one of the world’s most awarded design teams) that Kia has forgotten about quality. Wrong again, my friends. It is also the highest ranked non-premium brand in Initial Quality. If I have to hear one more person say, “It’s just really expensive, for a Kia,” I will high five that person…in the face…with a chair. (I wanted to say that I would give you a PK, but some people might be offended. Ag I said it anyway! P*@s Klap, what an underused phrase!). Back to this review. My hub and I hopped in to the new Kia Grand Sedona this weekend and headed up the Garden Route to George. We were joined by fellow motoring journalist Calvin Fisher and his lovely lady friend, Kelly Lodewyks…who happens to be my ex. My ex-colleague that is. We were at CAR together. Ah the stories we could tell…I digress! This is all about the really grand, Grand Sedona. It competes with the Hyundai H1 which I drove a few weeks back as well as the Volkswagen Caravelle and the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. But the Grand Sedona is my kinda people! It is not pretentious. It is trying to be anything it is not. And you certainly don’t feel like you should be transporting goods anywhere. It feels like a family car. A luxurious one at that. The top of the range SXL even has heat seates for the rear passengers. Which, I must tell you, kept my hub and I entertained for hours as we kept putting the other one’s chair on without their knowledge. It’s not great when the outside temperature is hitting the 40’C mark. Immature we will remain! The current range says goodbye to the SX trim level but hello to the new EX+ trim which has an eight-seat configuration. The EX+ and SXL models are rid of the oudoos foot brake and now sport an electronic brake. Also on the list is an 8-inch colour touchscreen with SatNav and a wireless smartphone charger. The SXL is only available in seven-seat configuration, the EX is seven- or 11- seat configuration and the EX+ only eight-seat configuration. All you really need to know is there is loads of space. Kelly and Calvin have a litter of children to cart around and they both mentioned (about a million times – insert eye roll) that this was the car they wanted. Like really, really wanted. Kia has bid the 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine goodbye, but the familiar 2.2-litre CRDi engine is as good as ever AND is now mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission which shifts so smoothly through those gears you won’t really even notice it at all – which is a good thing in my books. Highway cruising is a dream and overtaking is an easy manoeuvre. Even with all four of us packed in to the car along with our luggage. It would not be a kak idea if Kia organised adaptive cruise control for this bad boy, but for now, cruise control will have to do. I think this is my only criticism. Of the whole car! Oh, except that it can get a bit bouncy in the back, but if you’re the driver (or the parent), who cares? You won’t be sitting back there. For the price, you are getting A LOT of car. And what is not to like. It looks great, drives beautifully and has enough standard spec to keep even the most demanding customers moan-free. If you also have enough children to form a band, then consider this Kia Grand Sedona. You will not be disappointed. KIA GRAND SEDONA PRICING Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX 7-Seat: R 599 995 Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX+ 8-Seat: R 629 995 Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI SXL 7-Seat: R 782 995 Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX 11-Seat: R 615 995 Standard is an unlimited km / 5-year warranty and roadside assistance. Plus a 5-year / 100 000km service plan.

First drive in the Kia Grand Sedona Read More »

First Drive in the updated Kia Sportage

First drive in the Kia Grand Sedona

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