New Car : 2011 Kia Sportage

The Sportage series has a uniqiue place for the manufacturer production and they are taking it a few notches higher with the 2011 Kia Sportage. It marks the second generation of the same series that was introduced in 2005, although this time this five-passenger SUV has got more to showcase both on the interior and exterior department.

With a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetics, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly compact SUV for today's families - consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model - by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively - the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features - a commanding driving position, heightened sense of security and powerful road presence - that made the second-generation Kia Sportage so popular.

2011 Kia Sportage will retain the four-cylinder engine, which is a 2.4-liter engine developed by Hyundai. This one can deliver up to 173 horsepower to ensure reliable engine and on-road performance. The fuel economy rating for this vehicle, although improved, vary from one model to another – the LX model with manual transmission and front-wheel drive brings in an average of 23 mpg on the city and 31 mpg on the highway. This rating is therefore quite impressive amoung its class of compact SUV.

Standard features on the interior are pretty standard such as keyless entry, power windows and locks, heated front seats, climate control, to name a few. But the 2011 Kia Sportage also offers some more options to upgrade the quality of your ride, such as the dual-panel panoramic sunroof, voice-activated navigation system, and a 6.5-inch LCD dashboard touchscreen.

Pro’s of 2011 Kia Sportage

The 2011 Kia Sportage comes with Increased maneuverability, especially during close quarters; Lesser body weight improves fuel economy rating; Increased ride height; Generous passenger space; It is pleasing to the eyes; Budget-friendly.

Pricing Details

The 2011 Kia Sportage is expected to release mid-2010, hence the pricing information is much clearer now and it is quite appealing for budget-conscious auto consumers. The LX model equipped with a front-wheel drive system and manual transmission is expected to start at $19,000. For the LX model built with automatic transmission will sell at $22,000. Meanwhile, you can get the LX AWD version for no more than $25,000.

The Sportage EX model built with automatic transmission and front-wheel drive is priced at $25,000. But if you switch onto an all-wheel drive comes with a $27,000 price tag. For such price, you can also enjoy Kia’s generous warranty that stretches up to 100,000 miles powertrain or 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper.

The Bottom Line

The 2011 Kia Sportage is the best choice of vehicle for those who appreciated this vehicle before for its performance, despite of lacking stylish appeal. But this time around, it has been given the much needed styling revision to give it a shapely new form and more pleasant appeal to rise above its class. It is also one of the most affordable in the compact crossover lineup to provide more value to your money.

Lots of Content

The level of standard equipment is predictably high. The base Sportage LX gets 16-inch wheels; air-conditioning; a tilting steering column; auxiliary, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity; six airbags (driver and passenger front and side, and two-row curtains); hill-start assist; and a low-speed, off-road hill-descent control. The only other trim is the top-spec EX, which adds 18-inch wheels, leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, a power driver’s seat, a telescoping function for the steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and additional styling flash in the form of a roof spoiler and more chrome, among other bits.

The list of optional gear will run into luxury territory and includes a navigation system with Sirius traffic data, heated and ventilated front seats, backup sensors or a rearview camera, paddle shifters for the automatic transmission, a panoramic sunroof, and push-button start. The Sportage also will be the second Kia to offer the company’s new Microsoft-based Uvo infotainment technology, which works essentially like Ford’s Sync setup. The base price of the 2011 Sportage could creep above the outgoing model’s $17,690 starting point, but probably not by much. If it were us, we’d happily pony up the extra cash just for the fresh styling.