Owning
The Kia's length, width and stretched wheelbase provide excellent legroom in the rear. The boot is also generous, with a 420-litre luggage capacity. In the front, though, the cabin doesn't give you the same sense of space, because the driving position is flawed. Upper-range LS and V6 models get an electric driver's seat as standard, but it doesn't adjust low enough. The amount of reach and rake movement on the steering wheel isn't sufficient, either, so you end up feeling cramped. Seats don't offer much side support either. And although the Kia is very well screwed together, it is summed up by annoying touches such as the aftermarket-style radio and indicators that are on the wrong side of the steering wheel - which ruin the everyday ownership experience. The weighting of the controls could also be better. But equipment levels are very good indeed, though arguably they have to be, given some steep list prices. Depreciation will also be a bit steep, while returns of 38.8mpg from our diesel test car were disappointing - though it had very few miles on the clock. Looser engines often return better figures.
See also:
New electric steering and new multi-link rear suspension
All around the world, more than 860,000 Kia Sportage owners have enjoyed this
model's special blend of on-road talents and off-road abilities since the
second-generation model was introduced in 20 ...
Remote keyless entry
Type A
Type B
Remote keyless entry system
operations
Lock (1)
All doors (and trunk) are locked if the lock
button is pressed.
Type A
The hazard warning lights blink if the lock
button i ...
Brake/clutch fluid
Checking the brake/clutch* fluid
level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir periodically.
The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.
Before removing th ...