Kia Sportage QL SLi AWD, 2.0L Diesel, Automatic (2015-2021)

Awesome Small AWD DIESEL. Would be 5star if 15+cms longer in boot & roof less sloped – What a great little car. I say car, because despite being AWD Diesel it’s got very little clearance (even for curbs), no wheel articulation and has a very firm, sporty ride. Bonus is it’s awesome on the road. Feels so solid and stuck to the ground. Have driven a friends wife’s 2WD version and it’s nice but this is another level. The turbo diesel is gutsy and acceleration if awesome when you need it, whilst still being able to just plod around when in town. Averaging around 6.2L/km over last 20,000kms, with equal mix of Highway and metro driving. Zero mechanical issues, recall fix on AC. Compared to the Mazda CX-5 that many of my relatives have the KIA suffers from 3 issues that bug me as I really love this small car. First and most critical of all is that the sloped roof, whilst not looking much more sloped than the near identical size CX5, actually provides a smaller boot opening that has stopped me loading furniture I can and have fitted easily into both the Mazda CX5 and Mazda6 hatch. Second and third are across the board KIA quirks on all their cars. The front sensors turn off as soon as you reach 20kmh. The Mazda’s stay on and you choose when to Manually push button turn off. So much better when your pulling into a shopping car bay after leaving home. The auto aircon also constantly turns to external air. Like every 10 minutes. So annoying when in a line of traffic, bushfire zone or other smelly location. So just use manual setting instead. How would I make it truely perfect for me and my first 5 star review. Fix the overly sloped roof/smaller boot access and extend the boot another 15cms to be much bigger (whilst still shorter than a sorento or Santa-fe). Posssibly most important of all to some people who like buying new. Reduce the price. Despite my love for this car it is not worth over $40k new, compared to an MUX etc. Needs to be under $38k for Diesel AWD, even at SLI level. I got a 2016 SLI second hand from the original KIA dealer for $25k, 50,000kms and remainder of 7yr warranty.

Love this SUV. Great Price, Best Warranty & Great to Drive – Got the 2018 AO special model with the extra safety features and 18" wheels. Best price SUV out there. The 2.0L diesel is amazing so much power, Sport mode is WOW. AWD and just hugs the road. So glad we bought this car. Downsized from Isuzu MU-X. But the Sportage will still tow 1900kgs. Love this car !!!

Best SUV ever – This the best SUV my wife has owned yet . Great to driver ,easy to drive powerful to go the long haul can not fault in anyway after 3 yrs . Lazy mans car with 6 speed auto box and 2ltr diesel turbo go like a rocket. The all wheel drive is great in the soft or wet stuff

Initial Review - excellent – Traded in the 5 year old diesel Kia Sorento for a diesel Sportage as I wanted a smaller SUV with similar power, comfort and some extra gadgets (sat nav) to the Sorento. Its only done 1500 km but it has been excellent. Getting great fuel economy (6 litres/100km, 16 km/litre ) on the Freeway which is better economy than I got in the Sorento. Getting 12 km/litre around the city. Seems to have plenty of power, is quieter than the Sorento, very comfortable and all my golf gear fits in the boot. Styling could be better but this is a personal thing. Plenty of cabin space, good air con, although no CD player (solved with a $90 purchase of a portable CD player with attachments from Jaycar so CDs can be played through the car's sound system). The Sorento was trouble free and expect the Sportage to be likewise (its got a 7 year warranty).

November 6th 2017 Update: After 1 Year

Excellent car having just completed its first year. Performance, fuel economy and comfort were the highlights. Noise level was not excessive and its been easy to drive. Nothing to dislike, although lack of a CD meant it was necessary to purchase a CD player that plugs into the dash. Fuel economy no worse than 9 litres per 100 km, best 5.7 litres per 100 km, average 7.5 litres per 100 km over 12500 km. No faults detected so reliability was excellent.

September 2021 Update Still impressed by the Sportage. Plenty of power to overtake even at 110 km/h. No faults although yearly servicing costs over $400. Good fuel economy average 7.6 litres per 100 km over 60,000 km. A new model is due next month which looks better. Would stick to a diesel unless a hybrid becomes available with similar performance.