One of the cars that established Kia as a serious contender in the new-car market was the third-generation Sportage. With head-turning looks, a practical interior and plenty of kit, it set a template for nearly every Kia model that followed.
The fourth generation consolidated the Sportage’s position to become one of the UK’s best-selling five-seat family SUVs, and now the fifth version is here with a new level of tech and radical looks.
However, the compact SUV sector is a busy one, so as well as frequent new model launches, the mid-life updates come thick and fast, too. The Mazda CX-5 has been given a freshen up for 2022, with a revised look front and rear and a new trim structure.
Another model that has been under the knife is the SEAT Ateca. The Spanish firm’s first SUV has been around for a while now, and it was the subject of a facelift in 2020; now for 2022 the top-spec Xperience Lux comes with more safety kit as standard.
Do the updates help our two challengers to come out on top in this test, or does the new Sportage move the compact SUV class on once again?
Model: | Sportage 1.6 T-GDi 3 |
Price: | £30,945 |
Engine: | 1.6-litre 4 cyl turbo, 148bhp |
0-62mph: | 11.7 seconds |
Test economy: | 40.5mpg/8.9mpl |
CO2: | 154g/km |
Annual road tax: | £155 |
The fifth-generation Sportage tested here comes in mid-spec 3 trim, powered by the 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine. It costs £30,945, with the only option being premium paint, which adds £650 to the price.
