Kia Sportage

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Driving

Motability Scheme customers have several powertrain options with the new Sportage. There's a 147bhp 1.6 T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine, with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, or seven-speed automatic on GT-Line and GT-Line S trims. For more speed, there's the 235bhp HEV hybrid, which can officially manage 0-62mph in 7.9sec and is punchy around town or on the motorway. It can even drive short distances on electricity alone, too. Despite slightly sharp brakes on the HEV, the Sportage instils confidence while driving, thanks to plenty of grip and precise steering. There's a fair amount of body lean, but we reckon the balance of composure and comfort will be a well-judged compromise for most. The ride is comfortable, too, and driving along is a relatively quiet experience, with the well-insulated cabin.

Interior

Black cloth seats come as standard, while GT-Line and above upgrade to vegan leather and suede upholstery. The Sportage interior is solid, with quality, well-damped switches, good materials, soft-touch plastics, and metallic finishes at eye level. The driving position is very comfortable with plenty of steering wheel and seat adjustment, including electric lumbar support on standard Pure trim. GT-Line S enhances this, thanks to electrically adjustable seats and a handy memory function. Both seat types are comfortable for long drives. Meanwhile, GT-Line and GT-Line S seats feature firmer side bolsters for better cornering support. The low dashboard and relatively slim front pillars give you a clear view ahead, although a narrow rear window and thick rear pillars means the view out the back is a bit more obstructed. Thankfully, all models come with parking sensors (front and rear) and a high-quality rear-view camera. That display connects to the central 12.3in infotainment touchscreen (with sat-nav and wireless Android Auto or Apple Carplay). The screen is sharp and responsive, although small text and icons can be difficult to read or select while driving. Below the screen is a touch-sensitive panel for climate control shortcuts, which, while more fiddly than physical dials, is better than integrating controls into the main touchscreen.

Space and practicality

In the front there's loads of head, leg and shoulder room. It's enough to make two tall adults comfortable, although the panoramic roof fitted to the GT-Line S reduces head room slightly. In the back, three adults sitting together have good shoulder space and can fit their feet beneath the front seats. For a little extra head room, the rear seats in the Sportage can be reclined slightly. This also helped us fit our TGA Whill R Mobility Scooter in the boot without the need to fold the seats down. Still, the seats split and fold in a versatile 40/20/40 configuration and you can handily fold them from the boot thanks to a well-placed lever. Boot space is big by class standards, with 591 litres in the T-GDi and 587 litres in the HEV. Plus, a height-adjustable boot floor comes as standard.

Equipment

The entry-level Pure trim comes with several necessities, including 17in alloys, LED headlights, auto wipers, and air conditioning. GT-Line adds luxuries, like heated seats and steering, while the top-tier GT-Line S goes further with inclusions like a Harman Kardon stereo, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a powered tailgate.

*All measurements are approximate. Please note, cars can be taken off the Scheme at any time.

Photos: Adam Warner/Kia; Matt Vosper/Hyundai; Nissan