DRIVELIFE
2022 KIA SPORTAGE X-LINE DIESEL Written by DriveLife
Ah, the Kia Sportage. It feels like one of those under-the-radar cars that sell in very reasonable numbers, but they aren’t necessarily the first medium-SUV you think of. That’s not to say it isn’t a competent SUV. While we haven’t driven one for 6 years, I still recall it as being a well-put-together SUV, and a great all-rounder. For the 2022 model year, Kia has gone hard-out with an upgrade to bring the design into their current look, as well as tech upgrades and a new interior. As a nice surprise, Kia is bucking recent trends and includes four diesel models in their eightmodel Sportage line-up. Time to put the top-spec 2021 Kia Sportage X-Line Diesel to the test.
WHAT’S IN THE 2022 KIA SPORTAGE RANGE? There are eight models to choose from in the Sportage line-up, four with petrol and four with a diesel option: 1. LX Urban: $39,990 2. LX Urban Plus: $41,990 3. Deluxe: $49,990 4. X-Line: $57,990 5. LX Diesel: $46,990 6. LX Plus Diesel: $49,990 7. Deluxe Diesel: $52,990 8. X-Line Diesel: $62,990 8 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N J U LY 2 0 2 2
The LX Urban and LX Urban Plus are powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The engine manages 115 kW of power and 192 Nm of torque and should return 8.1L/100km of petrol. These models are front-wheel drive — all other models are all-wheel drive. The Deluxe and X-Line have a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic gearbox. Power is 132 kW and torque is 265 Nm. Petrol consumption is listed at 7.2L/100km. The diesel engine is the same across the range: a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo motor with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel outputs 137 kW of power and 416 Nm of torque, with diesel consumption listed at 6.3L/100km in the combined cycle.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS Well, there’s no-one can say that Kia is taking a chance on its design with the Sportage. It’s out there, carrying Kia’s “Tiger” face, and a whole lot more angles and sticky-outy bits at the front.
Have they pulled it off? Opinions were divided, and one totally unscientific poll on the frontal design was torn 50/50. For me, I love it. It’s different, it’s sharp and edgy, and it looks great in the Jungle Wood Green that our test car was finished in. The rest of the design isn’t as edgy as the front, but it’s still very pleasing. There’s some nice symmetry around the back, with the taillight design mirroring the daytime running lights at the front of the car.
Side on, there’s some stylish sculpting and with those 19” alloy wheels and the green paint, it looks stunning from that angle. All in all, for me at least it’s high marks for the redesign of the Sportage.
THE INTERIOR We’ve been saying this about Kia for a while now: their interior has moved up into euro design style and quality. Everything in the interior of the car feels great to the touch, and the build quality is excellent. Even the “satin chrome” door handles are
