2020 Kia Sportage GT-Line review

Along with the Cerato, Sorento and Stinger, the Sportage medium SUV has played a big part in shifting buyer perceptions about Kia and helped bring consistently growing sales to the brand.

It’s been a solid citizen in Australia’s most popular vehicle segment, offering good value, an excellent after sales program and a generous amount of space.

And yet, while the Sportage still offers all those traits, it currently finds itself under attack from within.

Kia introduced the slightly smaller Seltos in 2019, which offers nearly the same amount of interior room as the Sportage but with prices topping out at $41,400 for the top-spec model.

The range topping Sportage GT-Line we were in, meanwhile, comes in at $48,190 plus on-roads.

Not to mention, the Seltos has Kia’s cool, muscular, futuristic current styling, while we maintain the current Sportage looks like an amphibian.

But, there’s very little else to complain about in the Sportage and it should remain on medium SUV shoppers’ test-drive lists, even though an all-new version is coming in 2021.

There’s also a reason Kia has — and will — continue to sell the Sportage and Seltos alongside each other.

If you’re looking for diesel, you’ll have to go for a Sportage over the petrol-only Seltos — and the 2.0-litre oil burner is good enough to seek out.

It rumbles a tad down low, but gets off the line quickly and is quiet and frugal once cruising.

In GT-Line, there is a premium feel to the cabin, with powered, leather appointed, heated and cooled front seats, wireless phone charging, electric sunroof and more.

There is ample space for stowing wallets, phones and drinks — with space one of the Sportage’s main assets.

Its 466-litre cargo space is good while no longer being great for the class (the Seltos offers 433-468 depending on variant), but its second row head and leg room is excellent.

Combined with three 12-volt power outlets and rear USB ports, oversized teenagers shouldn’t have anything to complain about (though they’ll undoubtedly find something).

All Kias have their suspension tuned for local conditions, meaning the Sportage is both comfortable but also dynamically sound when roads get twisty.

There is some tyre noise at speed though and the ride can also feel a tad jiggly depending on the surface.

But ultimately, the Sportage is the same quality medium SUV offering it always has been — despite its age, looks and pressure from its upstart little brother.

VERDICT

A new, likely superior version is coming in 2021, but the current Sportage is still a great option — and would make for a great deal if you can get one in run-out mode before the newbie arrives.

2020 KIA SPORTAGE GT-LINE REVIEW

• Price $48,190
• Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
• Outputs 136kW/400Nm
• Transmission Eight-speed automatic, AWD
• Fueleconomy 6.4L/100km