Review: 2011 Kia Sportage EX AWD

Let’s face it: Some people need something larger than a subcompact car. Many people looking to upsize from a small car choose a small crossover vehicle—a segment with many choices including Honda’s CR-V, Toyota’s RAV4, Subaru’s Forester, Ford’s Escape, and the new-for-2011 Kia Sportage.

Kia is now one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S., and it is turning out some world-class vehicles. Case in point, the Korean automaker’s recently redesigned Sportage compact crossover. Now in its third generation, Sportage has grown up, been refined, and gotten a healthy dose of styling and, well, sport. A far cry from the first generation model, which “sported” a 94 horsepower engine, body-on-frame construction, and part-time four-wheel drive, the ’11 Sportage is poised to be strong competitor in the crowded crossover segment. Complete with all-wheel drive, a six-speed transmission, and a downright attractive exterior, the Sportage has come into its own.

 

Speaking of exteriors, I found the new Sportage’s appearance fantastic. It’s a sleek, modern, attractive take on the CUV. There are LED “eyebrows” in the headlamps, great-looking taillights, and distinctive 18” alloy wheels. Dare I say it’s somewhat sexy?

That attractive package continues onto the interior. My loaded test model, an EX trim level with AWD, had heated leather front seats (including an air-conditioned driver’s seat which was fantastic), a great sounding stereo and intuitive navigation system, easy-to-pair Bluetooth connectivity, an air-conditioned glovebox, dual moonroofs, and a fine set of gauges with trip computer. The overall interior design, like the exterior, is modern, forward, and sophisticated.

There is plenty of space in this compact CUV. Both front and rear seats offer ample legroom, and storage is plentiful. The rear seats, of course, fold down to accommodate larger loads. In my semi-weekly trip to Coscto, the Sportage easily gobbled up everything I bought, with plenty of room to spare.

Driving the Sportage was a pleasant surprise. I only say it’s a surprise because I spent a short time in the car at the NWAPA’s Mudfest event in late 2010. I remember it being somewhat pokey. For whatever reason, the car didn’t feel sluggish at all this time around. In fact, the 176 horsepower 2.4-liter DOHC engine with variable valve timing, felt like it had ample power. (A 260 horsepower turbocarged engine is also available if you want to really put the “sport” in Sportage ). Mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting abilities, this Kia is quiet, responsive, and rode nicely whether driving around town or cruising the highway.

My test model had the DynaMax full-time all-wheel drive system with a center lock feature for deep snow, sand, etc. In addition, it also has a hill descent mode, which automatically limits downhill speed by applying the brakes when needed. I tried this out in some of the hillier areas of Portland, and it worked very well. Handling is surprisingly nimble, too thanks in part to the large 18” tires, taught suspension, and all-wheel drive.

Kia has really done an excellent job with the latest Sportage, adding great amounts of nearly everything you’d want in a CUV. In fact, while I had the car for a week, I kept trying to find something I just didn’t like about it. There really wasn’t anything. EPA fuel economy is rated 21 city, 28 highway, which is dead-nuts on par with its competition.

The Sportage EX AWD review vehicle I had stickers for $29,990 including destination. While years ago, it might have seemed crazy to pay $30K for a Kia, nowadays, you’re getting a lot of vehicle for your money. Plus, you’re getting the company’s 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5 year/60,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty.

If you’re looking to upsize from your smaller vehicle, but not looking to go too big, the Kia Sportage CUV might just fit the bill. If you’re looking for a compact CUV, this model should definitely be on your shopping list.

Review: 2013 Kia Sportage SX AWD

Nearly every automaker offers a compact crossover these days. While many can be tepid to drive, a few offer a bit of driving excitement thanks to a high-performance engine option. One of those vehicles is the Kia Sportage. Back in 2011, we reviewed the Kia Sportage EX, which had a normally aspirated 2.4-liter engine under the hood. Engine performance was adequate, but not much more. Recently, we got to spend time with the 2013 Kia Sportage SX, which features the Korean automaker’s 2.0-liter turbocharged mill. Everything we liked (and disliked) about the Sportage EX remains pretty much the same. However, with 260 horsepower on tap, the Sportage gets transformed from a good compact CUV into a much faster good compact CUV.

This go around with the Sportage, we found the steering to be almost too light and it could’ve been faster. However, thanks in part to its high performance shocks, as Kia calls them, the vehicle handles confidently with minimal roll in corners and strong grip. It’s not as sporting as the Mazda CX-5, but it still hugs the road quite well. Another handling note: The Sportage has a surprisingly good turning radius, something I don’t tend to find in CUVs. One thing we did notice is iffy rear visibility, due in part to the narrow rear window. Changing lanes takes a bit of care due to this. Backing up is aided by the reverse camera, thankfully.

But let’s get to the main point here. The SX is all about the turbo engine. This mill churns out 260 horsepower—84 more horses than the 2.4 in the EX. It also makes 269 ft./lbs. of torque, which is a healthy 101 more ft./lbs. than the normally aspirated engine. Needless to say, this turns the Sportage into a quick CUV. Of course, this is also the all-wheel-drive model, which means traction is not an issue. I read reports of 0-60 sprints in about 7.0 seconds flat. Punch the throttle from a standstill, and the car leaps into action with little turbo lag, and produces impressive acceleration. Mash the gas from speed, and you’ll be rewarded with plenty of gusto. It can be a bit surprising at points; you don’t expect this car to be as fast as it is at times. It’s a good little powerplant, although I would love to hear a bit more exhaust note or something. See, the engine sounds exceedingly mechanical, likely due to its direct injection fuel delivery. Power is put to the ground via a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capabilities. The transmission worked seamlessly and provided smooth, quick shifts. The AWD system features a center locking differential, which is good for deep snow, sand, or mud, and there’s also hill decent control and hill hold.

So all that power must mean decreased fuel economy, right? Yes, but by only one minuscule MPG (combined) vs. the non-turbo 2.4-liter engine, which is pretty shocking considering the power difference. Our turbo model is rated at 20 city and 25 highway, vs. 20 city and 27 highway in the non-turbo AWD model. We got just over 19 mpg in mostly city driving. Plus, it runs on 87 octane gas, so no need to pump it full of the expensive stuff.

Inside, the Sportage is a comfortable, well-appointed, and solidly built place to spend some time. There’s a great sound and infotainment system, leather seats with blazing hot seat heaters (and an air conditioned driver’s seat), and the panoramic double glass roof panels (the forward one is an operational moonroof) really help keep the interior light and airy—definitely a high point. Of course, the interior is just as versatile and spacious as the ’11 EX model we reviewed. We easily hauled a big load of stuff to Goodwill with room to spare. The exterior is nearly identical to the ’11 EX we tested, with the exception of a mesh grille vs. a multi-bar grille.

In my opinion, if you’re going to buy an optioned-out Kia Sportage, you might as well get the SX model instead of a fully loaded EX. Our SX cost $32,400, a difference of only about $1,500 compared to a top-of-the-line EX, which has much less power. If you’re only looking for a mid-level EX or perhaps an LX model, then I could see passing on the SX, since $32,400 is a good chunk of change. But if you’re thinking of spending over $30K on any automaker's CUV and want something that can really get out of its own way (and pass up a lot of slower vehicles), the Sportage SX is certainly worth driving.

In the driveway: 2011 Kia Sportage EX AWD

In the driveway this week is the 2011 Kia Sportage EX AWD. The original Kia Sportage could've been classified as a bona-fide subcompact. Although this all-new model has grown quite a bit since the Sportage's 1993 introduction, it's also evolved into quite a nice crossover.

Still compact, this Sportage EX features all-wheel drive, leather, panoramic roof, and much more. Initial impressions are that it is much nicer than I expected. Plus, I think it looks fantastic.

More later!

In the Driveway: 2013 Kia Sportage SX

In the driveway this week, the first week of 2013, is the '13 Kia Sportage SX turbo. We reviewed the Sportage EX AWD without the turbo back in 2011 and found it to be a very good choice in the compact crossover segment thanks to its great looks, it's versatility and storage, and a host of creature comforts. While we said the non-turbo Sportage had "ample power" from its 2.4 liter engine, the turbo has 84 more horses under the hood than the normally aspirated version, so it should have lots of scoot. Very much looking forward to driving this model with the extra grunt. Stay tuned.

Review: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC

The rapidly growing compact crossover segment includes vehicles like the Kia Sportage, Suzuki SX4, Ford Escape, Nissan Juke, and others, all of which get decent fuel economy, have versatile interiors, and have available all-wheel drive. Mitsubishi recently entered the segment with its 2011 Outlander Sport. The Outlander Sport is the smaller version of the company’s Outlander, which I’ve previously reviewed. So how does Mitsubishi’s entry compare to other compact crossovers?

To begin, the Outlander Sport has a unique, distinctive shape. It’s larger than the subcompact Suzuki SX4, but smaller than the Kia Sportage. Its front grille has the distinctive Mitsubishi look, which appears similar to the company’s iconic, high-performance Lancer Evolution sports sedan. I even had friends say it looks like an “Evo”— a smart move by Mitsubishi, hoping to capitalize on the Evo’s halo status. Admittedly, the Outlander Sport looks a bit like a taller, chunkier Evo. It is hard to get an idea of the vehicle’s size until you’re right up next to it. Although not the most forward or exciting exteriors, it is attractive.

The Outlander Sport’s interior feels larger than the exterior suggests. You sit high with a good view of the road; you don’t feel like you’re in a compact CUV. The interior is also similar to the Lancer and the standard Outlander—not bad thing. In fact, the interior is attractive with mostly high-quality materials. The Lancer I tested had flimsy climate control knobs. Fortunately, the Outlander Sport’s knobs felt more substantial. The cloth seats are heated and supportive. The rear seat was spacious with plenty of cargo space behind them. The seats fold down for lots of cargo carrying ability, too. There’s even a center pass-through for skis and longer loads. My test model came equipped with the panoramic glass roof with LED illumination. This huge glass pane was great on overcast days, but quickly heated up the cabin in the sun. Luckily, there’s a motorized cover that obscures the whole thing on sunny days, It’s still a nice feature, and it makes the interior feel airy when open.

One of my favorite accoutrements was the fantastic 710 watt, nine-speaker Rockford-Fosgate stereo, complete with earth-shaking 10” subwoofer. Bluntly, this is one of the loudest factory-installed systems you can get anywhere, and it sounds awesome. I couldn’t wait to get into this vehicle simply for the stereo. The Interface is straightforward and there are controls on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, too. Other interior goodies include trick height-adjustable HID headlights, cruise control, and easy-to-use Bluetooth system. The car has all the safety features and three-letter safety acronyms, too (ABS, ASC, AWC, etc.).

The Outlander Sport’s stereo may be powerful, but its engine doesn’t quite have the punch the Rockford-Fosgate subwoofer has. All Outlander Sports are powered by a 2.0-liter four cylinder making 148 horsepower. Most of these engines are mated to a CVT transmission with the ability to manually move things around via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters (a manual trans is available on front-drive models). Although the CVT helps fuel economy (24 city, 29 highway), it doesn’t do much for performance. When it comes time to put the pedal to the metal, the engine gets noisy, and there isn’t much thrust. Add in the all-wheel-drive powertrain’s weight, and it’s a lot of car to move with only 148 hp. (It’s the same horsepower as the lighter Suzuki SX4, which weighs 300 lbs. less—and 28 horsepower less than Kia’s Sportage.) Speaking of all-wheel drive, the selectable All-Wheel Control has a dial to put the car in two-wheel, all-wheel, or all-wheel lock, which is for deeper snow, sand, or mud.

There isn’t a whole lot of Sport in the Outlander Sport’s engine/transmission, and that carries over to the suspension, which is more at home cruising the highways that cutting in and out of the twisties. Part of this comes from the slow, numb steering. The suspension tuning is comfortable, but not terribly sporty. None of this is “bad,” just not entertaining.

These days, there are many ways to get “a lot of car for the money.” The Outalnder Sport, however, is exemplary. My test model came in at just $25,575. That includes a great stereo, all-wheel drive, a CVT transmission, panoramic roof, Bluetooth connectivity, 18” wheels/tires, an above-average interior, and nearly 30 MPG on the highway. At that price, it had me forgetting about the lack of thrust and vanilla handling. In fact, it’s nearly $2,000 less than a comparable Kia Sportage. And let’s face it, 29 MPG is a nice feature in a versatile crossover vehicle.

No, it’s not going to win many races, but the Outlander Sport has a lot going for it, so long as you don’t need tons of power or razor-sharp handling. If you do appreciate good fuel economy, solid build quality, and a comfortable interior, take a look at Mitsubishi’s smallest CUV.

Review: 2017 Kia Sportage SX FWD

Who buys an FWD crossover? People who don't need AWD, that's who. And this 240 hp Kia Sportage SX is surprisingly fun, luxurious, and fast. It's quite good and quite entertaining. Read more over at Crankshaft Culture.

Review: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport AWC

We last drove the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport back in the summer of 2011. We liked it size, its shape, the panoramic roof, and amazing Rockford Fosgate sound system. It lacked power and wasn’t the most exciting to drive. But man, that sound system was amazing.

Not a ton has changed for the 2013 model. It still looks good (I love the Laguna Blue paint), it still has the panoramic roof, and still has the amazing stereo. In fact, while the Outlander Sport is perfectly good transportation, I prefer to think of it as one of the best AWD mobile sound systems out there.

Review: 2012 Nissan Rogue SV: An ironically named compact crossover

Crossovers have become a ubiquitous part of the automotive landscape. They’re practical, versatile, but frankly, some of them are tepid in terms of driving excitement or enjoyment.

Nissan’s compact crossover entry, the Rogue, is ironically named because it hardly meets the definition of the word “rogue,” which is “a playfully, mischievous person.” Nissan makes plenty of playfully mischievous vehicles, whether it’s the Nissan Cube (playful, somewhat mischievous) or the 370Z (definitely playful) or the GT-R (definitely mischievous). There’s nothing wrong, per se, with the Rogue, it just isn’t exciting.

Jeep Wrangler: The last two-door 4x4. Will other automakers ever try to wrangle Wrangler sales?

Me driving a Jeep Wrangler TJ Unlimited in Moab, Utah

When it comes to off-road adventure, few vehicles resonate as much as the Jeep Wrangler. With solid front and rear axles and an aftermarket as noteworthy as Jeep's heritage is long, Jeep has a following that is enormous and extremely dedicated. Whether here in Oregon or out in Moab, Utah, I've gone places and done things behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler that were extremely impressive. They are truly remarkable, capable vehicles, even right out of the box. And in two-door guise, they're not really that large. For comparison's sake, a two-door Wrangler has an overall length of 163.8"—that's 11" shorter than a 2013 Nissan Versa. It's wheelbase is 95.4"—that's about 3" shorter than a Honda Fit. Interesting, eh?

In the driveway: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

In the driveway this week is the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The smaller version of the Mitsubishi Outlander (as reviewed by yours truly in September), the Outlander Sport is a bit bigger than a Suzuki SX4, but smaller than a Kia Sportage.

Initial impressions are that you get a lot for your $25,000 including a panoramic roof, Bluetooth, heated seats, and AWD. However, the 2.0-liter engine's power is a bit on the lower side. It is quite comfortable, although the steering ratio feels a bit slow. I love the 700+ watt Rockford Fosgate stereo, though.

Full review coming soon.