Autoblog

Kia Sportage tops small CUVs in Consumer Reports test

Zach Bowman — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Crossover, Hatchback, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan

2011 Kia Sportage - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Kia Sportage beat out both the Nissan Juke and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in a recent CUV shootout conducted by Consumer Reports. According to CR, Kia has managed to more effectively straddle the line between a full-on SUV and a more civil hatchback with its offering. That's thanks largely to the fact that the Sportage serves up plenty of interior room without falling on its face in the fun-to-drive department. While the Juke delivers unique styling and plenty of performance, buyers are forced to make major sacrifices in the cargo room department.

Meanwhile, Consumer Reports found the Outlander Sport to share too much DNA with the standard Outlander to take the title.

Everything wasn't all roses and sunshine with the Sportage, however. CR noted that the vehicle has a planted highway ride, but that acceleration was "leisurely." Additionally, the Korean CUV has a stiff ride and plenty of road noise at speed. The tester for this particular competition carried a $23,790 MSRP and the company's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 176 horsepower. CR says that the vehicle managed 22 combined miles per gallon in its testing. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage: Review

Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Kia Sportage tops small CUVs in Consumer Reports test originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hyundai Sonata, Kia Sportage win International Car and Truck of the Year Awards

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:06:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai, Kia

The International Car and Truck of the Year award is determined by 12 judges and handed out at the Detroit Auto Show. Established in 1996, the award is given to "the most emotionally compelling international car and truck for the new model year." The latest recipients of the award are the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and 2011 Kia Sportage.

Upon receiving the 2011 ICOTY for the Sonata, Hyundai's U.S. CEO John Krafcik remarked:

"While we're proud of the Sonata from a technical and engineering standpoint, this award addresses the fact that our cars are now the sorts of vehicles that appeal to the lifestyle set. With sales up more than 110 percent from last year, the Sonata and its all four-cylinder lineup has been a game changer for us, and we're thrilled to be recognized by the ICOTY awards."

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T: First Drive

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage: Review

Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

[Source: ICOTY]

Continue reading Hyundai Sonata, Kia Sportage win International Car and Truck of the Year Awards

Hyundai Sonata, Kia Sportage win International Car and Truck of the Year Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2010: Kia mixes business and pleasure with pair of Sportage concepts

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:18:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Crossover, Kia

Kia Sportage "Work" concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's not always easy to mix business with pleasure, and because of that, Kia has teamed up with the folks at Antenna magazine to create two custom Sportages - one for work, one for play. Together, Kia calls this pair "The Duel," and we're quite fond of both.

The blue Sportage, dubbed "Work," features a full host of gadgets and gizmos sure to make any on-the-go professional happy. Opposite to that, the red "Play" Sportage comes with goodies like a 22-inch LCD television and a motorized, stainless-steel grill, and the package is topped off with a Cannondale and Yakima roof rack. Take a look at both in our galleries below, and hit the jump for the full information in Kia's press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Kia Sportage Work

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Kia Sportage Play

Continue reading SEMA 2010: Kia mixes business and pleasure with pair of Sportage concepts

SEMA 2010: Kia mixes business and pleasure with pair of Sportage concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: 2011 Kia Sportage

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Kia, New Car Reviews

Another Korean Competitor That Beats Expectations

2011 Kia Sportage - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia likes to say it has the Power to Surprise. Back in the day (oh, five or so years ago...), the Korean automaker's customers were supposed to be pleasantly surprised that their new car, crossover or SUV was a better vehicle than expected. Perhaps you've heard the drill: "I bought it because it was cheap... and you know, it's really not that bad."

These days, though, being less mediocre than expected simply isn't good enough. See not-so-(inter)stellar brands Saturn and Mercury for proof thereof.

In other words, each new Kia has to be completely on-target and every bit as good as its competitors from America and Japan - and judging by the ambitions of its corporate partner, Hyundai, you might even be inclined to include Germany on that list.

And we've come to expect exactly that from Kia. If the company's first Sportage was a passable entry with a cut-rate price to make the masses take notice, and the second go-round was, you know... "not that bad..." then this crossover, the third-generation Kia Sportage, had better be good.

So, were we pleasantly unsurprised by the 2011 Kia Sportage?

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage: Review

Continue reading Review: 2011 Kia Sportage

Review: 2011 Kia Sportage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage - Click above for high-res image gallery

When it comes to the 2011 Kia Sportage, there's a lot to talk about. From where we sit, it's one of the best-looking compact crossovers on the market, it's reasonably priced (starting below $20,000) and as we found out in our first drive, it's a pretty enjoyable steer, too. To add to these selling points, the Sportage was just named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning high marks in frontal, side, rear and rollover crash tests.

Top Safety Picks are nothing new for Kia these days - the Soul, Sorento, and Forte sedan have all been given this seal of approval. Follow the jump to read Kia's own words about the Sportage's safety recognition.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS 'Top Safety Pick' originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Minivan/Van, Hatchback, Kia

2010 Kia Rondo - Click above for high-res image gallery

"Thank you for inquiring about the Rondo. As the saying goes, 'all good things must come to an end.' But with endings, come new beginnings..."

That's the message visitors receive when they attempt to learn about the 2010 Kia Rondo from the Korean automaker's U.S. website. Interestingly enough, when we contacted Kia officials for confirmation that the Rondo wouldn't be around for 2011, we received the following response: "Kia has not yet decided on a 2011 model, but the 2010 is still available in dealerships."

Yes, that sounds like a typical canned response, and our best guess is that the Rondo is pretty much a goner. Taking a look at sales figures from last year, the Rondo was Kia's third slowest seller just behind the full-size Borrego SUV and the faux-luxe Amanti sedan. Worse yet, the Rondo's 2009 sales total of 14,206 units was less than half of the 28,645 sales it managed in 2008.

Kia is naturally hoping it doesn't lose out on customers that would otherwise have considered a Rondo. In lieu of the micro-minivan, Kia's consumer website is pointing buyers towards its new-for-2011 Sportage cute ute, which does have a good bit of space for stuff but surely isn't quite as family friendly as the apparently outgoing seven-passenger Rondo.

Interestingly enough, Kia of Canada does not seem to have the same message on its site, so we wouldn't be surprised if the MPV soldiers on with our neighbors to the north. If you're still interested in getting a Rondo of your very own in these United States, there are massive incentives that remain active on the 2009 model, including $2,000 cash back, $1,000 for a competitive vehicle turn-in, $1,000 for Kia owner loyalty, and/or a $500 discount for military service. That's a whole lotta cash on the hood. Hat tip to Michael B!

Gallery: 2010 Kia Rondo

[Sources: Kia; Kia Canada]

Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New York 2010: Kia's 2011 Sportage comes to America

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage - Click above for high-res image gallery

The original Kia Sportage was one of the vehicles that led the Korean automaker's initial charge into the American market. Those early SUVs (they were body-on-frame back then) were inexpensive and honest, but that's about the best thing you could say about them. After a near brush with extinction, Kia is a very different kind of automaker today. Like the rest of the company's recent introductions, the Sportage features crisp, aggressive styling that won't leave you embarrassed to be seen in one.

The new Sportage actually had its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show early this month, but the New York Auto Show is considered the crossover's U.S. coming out party, even though it actually showed up at the Atlanta show just recently. Like sister brand Hyundai's new Tucson, the American-spec model gets a new 176 horsepower variable valve timing 2.4-liter inline-four that beats the power and efficiency of the old 2.7-liter V6 with the buyer's choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmissions.

Later in the 2011 model year, the Sportage will finally get some real sport when it gets the new 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct injected inline four that's going into the Optima and Hyundai Sonata. A snazzy looking, 274 hp Sportage? What is this world coming to?

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Kia Sportage

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading New York 2010: Kia's 2011 Sportage comes to America

New York 2010: Kia's 2011 Sportage comes to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva 2010: Kia Sportage makes world debut, looks good

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:22:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage - Click above for high-res image gallery

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "Longer, lower, wider, more spacious?" You probably didn't think of the 2011 Kia Sportage, but you should, because it has all of that on top of a phalanx of powertrain and accessorizing options.

Globally, the five-seat crossover will offer two gas and two diesel engines from 115- to 163-horsepower, in front- or all-wheel-drive forms, as well as manual or automatic transmissions. Despite all the new choices, the variety of flavors still equals less fat: it weighs 182 pounds less than the outgoing Kia Sportage. The new design under Kia designer Peter Schreyer include a "ribbed roof" and "chunky door handles," all of which have their reasons for being. To find out what they are, have a gander at the press release after the jump and the shots in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Kia Sportage

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Kia Sportage makes world debut, looks good

Geneva 2010: Kia Sportage makes world debut, looks good originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva Preview: 2011 Kia Sportage gets stylish new duds

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:01:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Kia introduced the original Sportage in North America in the early 1990s, the best thing it had going for it was a low-ball price. There was nothing particularly compelling about the way it looked or drove, though it was at least passable on both counts. When the Geneva Motor Show opens up next month, the third-generation Sportage will finally bring the compact crossover to the head of the class in appearance.

Looking like a 5/8-scale version of the recently introduced Sorento, the new Sportage incorporates the Peter Schreyer-penned Kia design language in an an aggressive looking package that should stand out among the Escapes, Rav4s and CR-Vs of the world. The new model is longer, lower and wider, but Kia hasn't released any other details yet.

We expect that the Sportage will have the same 2.4-liter inline-four found in the new Hyundai Tucson when it arrives Stateside this fall, although other markets will get a range of gas and diesel power options from which to choose. Full press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: 2011 Kia Sportage gets stylish new duds

Geneva Preview: 2011 Kia Sportage gets stylish new duds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

European Registry pulls wraps off 2011 Kia Sportage?

Alex Nunez — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery

The European Registry must be a bigger thorn in the side of automakers than the likes of Brenda Priddy and her minions. After all, the new-vehicle images the Registry keeps in its database are devoid of camouflage, and the latest to show its face (and rear, and roof, and flanks) appears to be the 2011 Kia Sportage.

Based on these images, the new Sportage looks to be a big step up from the friendly but aged current model. Underneath slick new sheetmetal that's in keeping with Kia's current family design themes, the Sportage will likely share much with the just-unveiled Hyundai Tucson. No word yet on when we'll see the trucklet's official unveiling, but given that Kia's usually good for a significant reveal at the New York Auto Show, we'll wager that at the very least, we'll see the Sportage's North American debut in the Javits Center in late March/early April. Stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage - European Registry Images

[Source: European Registry via Autoblog Spanish]

European Registry pulls wraps off 2011 Kia Sportage? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments