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SAN FRANCISCO – The Kia Sportage is one of those long-serving but relatively anonymous vehicles in the U.S.
On the road for 15 years – early on as an SUV – the cross/utility vehicle is perfectly serviceable for the more than 200,000 who own one. But it was never much of a head-turner, or competitive from a dynamics and features standpoint.
That’s about to change with the debut this month of the stylish and well-contented new ’11 model, the Sportage’s third and best iteration.
But while it clearly showcases Hyundai Kia Group’s new push to become a design leader, it also suffers from some drawbacks, notably an over-the-top sportiness manifested in excessive engine and road noise.
The Sportage has a clean, vaguely futuristic style. Upswept, rectangular headlamps are joined to the Kia signature “tabbed” grille.
Horizontal taillamps are ultra-wide, a rare flourish in the otherwise plain rear of the vehicle. An arching roofline, with a peak above the front doors, tapers gracefully to the rear for a pleasing profile.
Like more-expensive Audis, the Sportage EX trim offers distinctive light-emitting diode daytime running lights, while LX and EX models have LED side-mirror turn-signal indicators.
The Sportage shares a wheelbase with its Hyundai Tucson twin. But thanks to the Hyundai-Kia Group finally foregoing badge engineering, the two CUVs bear little resemblance.
