MOTORING

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE

KIA SPORTAGE

WE all love a winner… which is one reason why there are so many Kia on our roads these days. The South Korean company’s latest Sportage model has continued their success both on the road and on the awards podium as it has just been voted SUV of the year by the Northern Group of Motoring Writers. This august and long established band, which is made up of motoring journalists from across the north of England (including yours truly), decided the Sportage – which was considerably re designed and upgraded for 2022 – had come out on top. There is no doubt it has made the company into a front runner in the design stakes. The 2022 model is cutting edge inside and out and one of the best looking mid-range SUVs around. This fifth-generation Sportage is designed for Europe, built in Europe and shares much with Hyundai’s multi-award-winningTucson. It has bold boomerang-shaped LED running lights either side of a slimmer version of Kia’s signature front grille while the headlights blend neatly into a larger, lower grille. At the back, the car takes a clear lead from Kia’s all-electric EV6 with high full width tail-lights on the tailgate which gives access to a 587-litre boot.

Inside there’s even more from the EV6 with twin 12.3- inch screens, one in front of the driver with clear, easy-to-use graphics and a central touchscreen for infotainment which appear to be joined to create a great-looking digital display covering two thirds of the dash area.

Beneath the central touchscreen are touch climate controls which also function as fast keys for infotainment settings. We got to test a ‘GT-Line S’ all-wheel drive, mild hybrid version and the car’s rotary seven speed automatic gearbox selector sits behind a wireless phone charger with cup-holders and there are plenty of other clever features inside including USB sockets on the back of the front seats in an interior which has a quality feel.

There is improved visibility and better handling too as the car grips well in bends with little body roll. The ride is firm but still comfy, especially on a long trip.

With 148bhp the car will get from 0-60mph in a decent 9.4 seconds while fuel economy figures are up to 47mpg.

Then there’s a choice of hybrid drivetrains and four trim levels ranging from ‘2’ (£27,750), ‘GT-Line’, ‘3’ and the top-spec ‘GT-

Line S’ model, which we test drove, which gets all the kit while every model has Kia’s seven years’ warranty cover.

The long equipment list on our car included a panoramic sunroof, auto lights and wipers, power heated door mirrors, suede leather seats (electric heated and cooled at the front and heated at the back), ‘GT-Line S’ trim inside and out, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise, sat-nav, smart power tailgate plus much more including many active driving safety systems. So in addition to now being ahead on the design stakes this Kia is also right up there with the best for standard equipment, safety and quality of materials. It is simply amazing just how far Kia have come on their motoring journey and makes you wonder just what is yet to come?

Bolton Kia is proud to be Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer and stocks a wide range of new and used Kia vehicles. To speak to a member of our Sales Team please contact them directly by calling 01204 664800 (option 1), emailing sales@boltonkia.co.uk or using the online chat system via our website: www.kia.co.uk/bolton.

For all the latest car tests see the motoring section of our website at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk/motors/

Available on Business Contract Hire at Bolton Kia

Contact our dedicated Business and Fleet team at Bolton Kia - Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer.

fleet@boltonkia.co.uk or 01204 664800. All-new Sportage ‘GT-Line S’ 1.6 T-GDi 226bhp 6-speed auto HEV (Hybrid) 2WD on Business Contract Hire.

Business Contract Hire Value From £434.76 + VAT per month*

C02 Emissions 132g/km

P11D Value From £39,925.00

36 month term with an initial payment of 6 months rental (£2,608.56) + VAT. 8,000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charge of 9.82p + VAT.

Bolton Kia - Europe’s No.1 Kia Dealer 79 The Linkway, Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, BL6 6JA 01204 664800 l kia.co.uk/bolton

@bolton_kia /boltonkia

Fuel consumption in mpg (I/100km) for the model shown: Combined 48.7 (5.8), CO2 emissions 132g/km.

MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. The figures shown here are for limited comparison purposes; fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are tested using WLTP. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. For more information about WLTP please refer to kia.com/uk. Model shown: all-new Sportage ‘GT-Line S’ 1.6 T-GDI 226bhp 6-speed auto HEV 2WD including premium Experience Green with black roof paint at £800. Specification varies across the range and is subject to change without notice. Business users only. Quote valid from 14th October 2022 - 11th November 2022. Price quoted is pre price increase - pending October 2022 and will require a re-quote. *Offer available on Business Contract hire with advance rental of 6 months rental + VAT (£2,608.56 + VAT), followed by 35 monthly rentals of £434.76 + VAT. Excess miles over contracted mileage of 8,000 miles per year (24,000 total contract mileage) over 36 months charged at 9.82 pence per mile (+VAT). Excess charges also apply if you breach manufacturer servicing or maintenance guidelines or if the car exceeds BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear guidelines for its age/mileage when it is returned to Kia Contract Hire. The total P11D value of the vehicle includes options, extras, manufacturer’s delivery and VAT. Total Effective Rental (applicable to cars only) is £478.24 (this assumes a 50% VAT disallowance on the Finance Rental and VAT). Business Contract Hire Customer Maintenance (inc. RFL). Package includes Vehicle Excise Duty for the agreement duration, we reserve the right to pass on future increases in the cost of Vehicle Excise Duty. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. Prices and details are subject to change without notice. For full specification and T&Cs contact your local retailer. Kia reserves the right to amend or withdraw offers at any time without prior notice. You will not own the car. ALD Automotive Ltd., trading as Kia Contract Hire, BS16 7LB. All quotations are for guidance only and are subject to credit approval. ALD Automotive Limited trading as Kia Contract Hire reserves the right to amend quotations in the event of changes to manufacturer prices, interest rates and volume related bonus. ALD Automotive Limited reserve the right to amend quotations in the event of any change to VAT/RFL or any other statutory charges or taxes which may become appropriate from time to time. All figures provided are for guidelines purposes only. 7 Year / 100,000 mile manufacturer’s Warranty. For full terms and conditions visit kia.com/uk. Kia UK Limited trading as Bolton Kia are a broker (not a lender) for the purposes of this financial promotion and can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers and may receive a commission from them for the introduction. Bolton_Kia