SLOWLY, surely and steadily, the Kia Sportage is making a strong impression in the UK market.
With a revised, refreshed and re-equipped line-up embracing models made in Europe, Kia is confident it will this year lift Sportage registrations from about 4,400 to over 6,000 models.
Arguably the most significant move is to give the Sportage less and cut out all wheel drive on some versions and make them two-wheel-drive.
This policy of less is more actually works well in the Sportage and the 2.0 CRDi XS felt more agile than its 4x4 stablemate, and with a modestly powerful diesel engine under the big bonnet you need to feel it will accelerate and handle well.
The Sportage range runs to ten models from £14,000-£20,000 based on 2.0 petrol or diesel engines as well as a range topping 2.7 V6 petrol with three trim levels.
The new 2WD Sportage 2.0 diesel comes with standard four-speed automatic box as Kia obviously believes any owner who wants just front wheel drive will not be too worried about overall performance and is going for an easy life but still wants to appear muscular wrapped up in an off-roader's body.
The disguise works because no-one realised this particular car was short of a few things but they all commented on how comfortable it was with standard leather covered, well proportioned seats, climate control, powered windows and CD system. Keen-eyed Kia fans would notice less body kit on the 2WD version, however.
It is easy to climb in and out and the boot space gradually rises from a minimum of 667 litres to 1,887 with only the front seats in use.
I like the height of the rear loadbed and its simple uncluttered space but think it needs restraining straps to stop items sliding about on the nylon carpet or smooth plastic liners.
Oddments and glovebox space is good throughout and many would like the low waistline, deep windows and large wipers. The lights give a reasonably long view ahead but could be brighter.
In which case it's just as well the engine and gearbox is not a road melting combination. The auto transmission selects well enough but it tends to hang onto the ratios for some time under load and it becomes much noisier as speed rises towards the legal limit.
It gets there easily enough and the engine still manages to push out over 35mpg without having to hold back. I just wonder how much more of a driver's car the Sportage 2.0CRD 2WD would be with a manual box under hand.
Kia's engineers have done a good job refining the ride, handling and braking of the Sportage and the 2WD derivative is particularly agile.
It is a true cross-over vehicle in the modern sense, looking like a 4WD with a big body but having a much more car like character to the driver.
These are probably the strongest selling points to a potential buyer and so long as you appreciate its few shortcomings in the traction department it should not disappoint but please enormously, particularly with its warranty.
FAST FACTS
Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi XS (2WD) 5dr
Price: £17,495
Mechanical: 138bhp, 1,991cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 4spd automatic transmission
Max speed: 108mph
0-62mph: 15.1 secs
Combined mpg: 35.3
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 210g/km
BiK rating: 32%
Warranty: 7yrs/ 100,000 miles