Raising the bar

You can usually tell if vehicle sales of a particular brand are doing well by the sighting of same on a regular basis — gladly that is the case with KIA … because their Sportage range is one that is obviously doing really well for them.

I can honestly say I’ve had the pleasure recently of driving the CRDi Sportage sports utility vehicle (SUV), and, suitably impressed feel that it’s sales success, here in South Africa, as in other parts of the world, is entirely justified.

I may have mentioned it before but KIA is the one and only brand out of their home country (Korea) that was able to sell its products in Japan — that certainly was the case about eight years ago and I haven’t heard anything contrary to that … surely the perfect accolade and thumbs up from the Land of the Rising Sun could have given the KIA guys.

In amongst the mix of 10 Sportage offerings for South Africa right now are four turbodiesel-powered models with petrol prices starting at R252 995 through to R319 995 (at the time of going to press), for the 2,4-litre petrol derivative.

The model I was entrusted with — indeed requested — was the top of the range R334 995 2,0-litre AWD auto CRDi SUV (talk about alphabet soup!), and what a breath of fresh air it turned out to be. 

With everything that opens and shuts built into the price, only the optional electronic sunroof appears on the accessories list — beat that if you can some of you so-called competitors!

You really would be hard-pushed to tell this particular Sportage from the KIA stable is diesel-powered — it’s so quiet. I’ve travelled about 150 km in it so far and the fuel gauge has hardly moved … I can well believe the manufacturer’s claim of around 900 km to a taankful could well be realistic.

Luxurious it is certainly is because it boasts a climate-controlled air conditioner, power steering, a superb sound system that plays MP3/USB music apart from the multi-stack CD, multi-function steering wheel and leather trim throughout.

On the safety front the Sportage is loaded with goodies to keep you safe from harm including dual front- side and curtain airbags, ABS/EBD and active headrests up front.

I must add that the reverse camera built into the rear-view mirror is a brilliant touch — and it works well too — yes, there are a few manufacturers that offer something similar but the screen is always in the wrong place — it should without doubt be in the line of vision to the rear-view mirror — no question!

Servicing of the car is particularly easy and straightforward as there’s KIA dealers in just about every major town across the country. Factor in a five-year warranty (100 000 km) and a five-year service plan (100 000 km), means peace of mind comes standard!