MORE SPORTAGE THAN SPORT (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 58

The fourth generation Kia Sportage mid-sized SUV enhanced its offering in this improved post-2018 form, an enhanced version of the MK4 'QL'-series model which sold until 2021. This revised model offered two fresh approaches to diesel power, smarter looks and more sophisticated media connectivity. But the reasons why so many people like this car remained much the same.

Modelsword count: 14

5dr SUV (1.6 GDi, 1.6 T-GDi / 1.6 CRDi, 2.0 CRDi, 2.0 CRDi 48V)

Historyword count: 301

How did the Kia Sportage quietly develop from an also-ran to a front runner in the mid-sized SUV segment? By offering more of what people want, that's how. This improved post-2018 version of the brand's fourth generation 'QL'-series model was affordably priced, got an all-new entry-level diesel engine and even delivered mild hybrid diesel technology for the first time. Plus there were smarter looks, more safety kit and extra media connectivity. The Sportage model line dates back to the launch of the MK 'NB'-series design in 1993, but it wasn't until the launch of the third generation 'SL'-series version in 2010 that buyers really began taking it seriously. More than any other car that Kia has made, that MK3 design was the one most influential in turning around the fortunes of the brand - to the point where by the time of the launch of its fourth generation successor in early 2016, the Sportage was accounting for nearly a third of the brand's total sales volume in this country. From launch, this MK4 'QL'-series design's immediate goal was quite simply to be our market's favourite mid-sized SUV. What really helped in this regard was the way that Kia kept prices affordable; the only mainstream rivals that could match the entry-level price of a Sportage when new - not much more than £20,000 - were slightly smaller designs. All of which was crucial at a time when a significant number of buyers were being priced out of the SUV market. This is something Kia not only recognised, but also put itself in prime position to capitalise on with the much improved version of that fourth generation model, launched in mid 2018 and the car we look at here, which sold until the introduction of the fifth generation 'NQ5'-series model in late 2021.

What You Getword count: 261

Looks have always been high on the list of reasons why customers have bought themselves a Sportage. Should you be already familiar with this design, you probably won't notice too many changes to this improved version of the MK4 model - unless you're able to stretch to one of the upper-spec variants. If you can do that though, you'll get yourself a car that in this updated form made a little more of a driveway statement, thanks to an evolved version of the brand's familiar 'Tiger nose' grille, which on 'GT-Line' models featured a black 'Blade' mesh finish. Inside, Kia didn't make too many changes for this update. The design of the ventilation controls was a bit smarter, plus the three-spoke wheel was re-styled and the instruments you viewed through were more clearly designated. It's probably more significant though, to note the improvements made to infotainment provision. A larger 'fameless'-style 8-inch screen now featured with top trim levels, but even on the cheapest variants, a clear, effective improved 7.0-inch screen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring was provided as standard. And in the rear? Well, if you've previously owned or test driven a rival comparably-priced Qashqai or Ateca from this period, you should notice how much extra leg room was freed up by this Kia's slightly lengthier body; it really is significant and was aided by scalloped front seat backs. Headroom's reasonable too, despite the sloping roofline. Out back, petrol models offer 491-litres of cargo space, while the 1.6-litre diesel has 467-litres and this mild hybrid 2.0-litre diesel offers 439-litres.

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