Kia Sportage (2005 - 2010) 2.0 CRDi XS (138bhp) 5d (2006/56) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Who cares. It is a way to get to work and back safely when the snow comes without the stress of a smaller two wheel drive car and gives a presence on the road when doing battle on the A47 with HGVs.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Like it especially when its the only vehicle moving around here I drive an ex army landrover for leisure and the Sportage has good performance in the snow. Obviously with no low range box, your not going to be rescuing 32 ton artics like I do in the landy.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes if they still make it but the replacement Mk3 Sportage is much smaller than our MK 2 and would probably buy a Freelander 3 now for similar space to our existing one.

What are you likely to buy next?

Not sure at this stage as the present car has only 45 k on it so will last at least another 5-10 years.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£15,000

When did you buy the car?

April 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes, ex demo vehicle. We were a cash buyer having no px as we kept the 51 plate Rio 1.3 SE which we had from new from the same dealer who do all servicing.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

My wife has a cross country 25 mile trip each way to work which includes rural roads over high hills in Rutland and East Leicstershire subject to severe winter weather with snow and ice, and also rutted muddy verges that have to be pulled onto for oncomming tractors and lorries so a large 4x4 was a must having previously owned the much smaller Rio and suffered the stress of skidding and getting stuck in the snow in previous years. The Sportage has given her confidence back.

What was the dealer like?

Very good, same salesman that sold us the new Rio in 2001 very nice friendly family owned dealer.

What's it like to drive?

Very easy. My wife was concrede at its size but the comand driving posistion and knowledeg that you can safely pull onto a muddy verge without getting stuck removed the nervousness of driving on narrow country lanes. It also has plenty of power for overtaking if required and will cruise happily at 70 plus on dual carriageways without any buffeting of a smaller car.

What's it like to park?

My wife tends to park away from other cars so the doors dont get bashed but the extra width does not present too many issues if spaces are short supply and has an excellent turning circle in the times i drive it.

Have you had any problems with the car?

No, other tan being rather heavy on front tyres which only last about 12,000 miles per pair, the rears are much better lasting about 30,000 They are quite a soft compound Bridgestone which were factory fitted so we have kept with that brand as they give superb grip on the rough wet rural roads and in snow. Also the original factory CD radio player is notorious for jumping tracks on small bumps, so that was replced by myslef for a well known high end brand.

What's most practical about your car?

For a spacious real 4x4 with plenty of leg room for front and rear passengers and a huge boot compared to smaller Ford Kuga or VW Tiguan, it has good driving characteristics with 35 mpg achievable on the cross country journey which is only 5 mpg down on what my new passat Bluemotion diesel can achieve on the same route. It has prooved to have excellent 4x4 which copes with crossing muddy fields along with deep snow, even on the factory standard road biased tyres. The 4x4 button gives added reassurance and locks the center dif for sure footedness on bad conditions.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

DVD player built into the roof for rear passengers. Also leather heated seats.