This November, Kia updated its popular Sportage range for the South African market.
In doing so, the Korean automaker removed the petrol-powered LX and EX models that were previously positioned as the entry-level options, in the process cutting down the Sportage family from eight to six derivatives.
Consequently, the new barrier to entry for the SUV is now the diesel-driven LX, which retails from R637,995 – an increase of R34,000 over the previous petrol LX.
Depending on how you look at it, though, this price premium is worth the spend as the updated Sportage has gained Kia’s advanced driver assistance technologies across the entire line-up, which was previously only reserved for the flagship GT-Line.
As such, the most affordable Sportage on the market now has much more to offer its buyer than it did just one month before.
Standard features
While the LX is billed as the most attainable Sportage it is anything but light on nice-to-haves.
The mid-range SUV bracket has become incredibly competitive in recent years, forcing Kia to equip its top-seller with features such as keyless entry and start, a 4-inch multi-information driver’s display, dual-zone climate control with rear-seat vents, cruise control, an artificial leather multifunction steering wheel, automatic LED headlights with daytime running lights, LED fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, electric wing mirrors, silver skid plates, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
A sizeable 12.3-inch central infotainment display is also standard, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and playing tunes through a six-speaker stereo.
Perhaps more impressive is the suite of new advanced driver assist systems awarded to the base Sportage.
The LX now brings blind-spot monitoring, front collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane-follow and lane-keep assist, in addition to pre-existing abilities such as hill-start assist, downhill brake control, trailer stability assist, and six airbags.
Cargo capacity for the Kia then comes in at 571 litres, expanding to 1,760 litres when the rear seats are collapsed.
Diesel power
Underpinning the enhanced Sportage LX is a 1.6-litre diesel mill motivated by a turbocharger to produce 100kW and 320Nm.
All versions of the SUV turn the front wheels with the assistance of a seven-speed automatic shifter, with this particular example returning a fuel economy of 4.9l/100km courtesy of an efficiency-boosting start/stop system, lending it a range of approximately 1,100km on a single tank, according to the manufacturer.
Reaching the 100km/h landmark is completed in 11.4 seconds and a top speed of 180km/h is on the cards, and it provides Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes.
The purchase of a Sportage includes a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, 6-year/90,000km service plan, and 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance.
Kia Sportage LX
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