There has never been more demand for compact crossover SUVs as there is now, especially within the Compact Crossover genre. Kia introduced the first Sportage model back in 1993, and it was built using an old-school utility van’s platform for its basic underpinnings. However, this first-generation model didn’t prove to be much of a hit amongst buyers in this segment, which eventually led to its cancellation in 2003. After a two-year sabbatical, Kia returned with a completely new design, with the second-gen Sportage now sharing its car-like platform with the Hyundai Elantra. Sales picked up and then in 2010, the third-generation Sportage arrived, followed by the latest fourth incarnation in 2015. Based on the same architecture as the latest Tucson, the new Kia Sportage is the best it has ever been, and is one the Korean marque’s best-selling crossovers in the Middle East.
In the United Arab Emirates, the 2019 Kia Sportage costs from between AED 73,500 for the 1.6 Base (FWD) variant to AED 113,500 for the fully-loaded 2.4 Top (AWD) variant. In all there are nearly a dozen variants to choose from, while competition for the Sportage comes in the form of the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-5. As for the starting price of the other variants, one level up from the entry-level car, there’s the 2.0 Base (FWD) at AED 77,000, then comes the 2.0 Base (AWD) at AED 81,000, followed by the 2.4 Base at AED 82,000, and the 1.6 Top (FWD) at AED 83,000. Further up, there’s the 2.0 Top (AWD) for AED 91,500, the 2.4 Mid (AWD) for 96,000, 2.0 Top (FWD) for AED 96,500, the 1.6 Turbo Mid that costs AED 99,000, while the penultimate 1.6 Turbo Top trim starts from AED 108,000.
Regardless of which variant of the 2019 Sportage you go for, all are powered by four-cylinder petrol engines here in the UAE and come mated to an automatic transmission. Depending on the variants you choose, however, power under the hood can be produced by either one of three naturally-aspirated units: a 1.6-liter, 2.0-liter, or a 2.4-liter. There’s also a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-banger, and it belts out 177hp and 265Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the base motor develops 130hp with 161Nm, the 2.0 N/A motor makes 155hp with 197Nm, and the largest capacity 2.4-liter mill is good for 181hp and 240Nm of peak torque.
In terms of their outright performance, the turbo motor can accelerate the Sportage from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 182 km/h. On the other hand, the meager 130 horses in the base model means that it’s only capable of a top whack of 170 km/h, and a naught to 100 km/h time of 11.5 seconds. As for their fuel economy, the 2019 Sportage with the 130hp base motor is rated at around 7.5 L/100 km, while the 2.4-liter in the Sportage with all-wheel drive should average around 10.0 L/100 km in everyday driving conditions.
The full bells & whistles variant of the 2019 Kia Sportage comes equipped with goodies such as 18-inch alloy wheels, hands-free power tailgate, automatic & adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, auto-retractable door mirrors, keyless entry with push-button start, panoramic glass roof, full-leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats that can be heated & cooled, cruise control, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, dual-zone automatic climate control system with rear vents, wireless smartphone charger, all-round parking sensors with a rearview camera, drive mode selector, JBL premium sound system, and a touchscreen infotainment head unit with Bluetooth, AUX & USB connectivity among others.
