DRIVEN
KIA SPORTAGE GT-LINE S 4X4 Following its triumphant class victory in last month’s 4x4 of the Year awards, Kia’s newcomer in the small SUV category demonstrates the all-round qualities that make it an all-round winner
IN LAST MONTH’S ISSUE, our 4x4 of the Year awards crowned the all-new Sportage as winner of the Small SUV category. That saw it beat competition from some incredibly strong rivals, including previous class winners in the Volkswagen T-Roc, Jeep Renegade and Dacia Duster.
22 | FEBRUARY 2023
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Not all versions of the Sportage have all-wheel drive, but on those that do Kia makes the most of it by equipping them with various drive modes aimed at enhancing its ability away from tarmac. To emphasis the point, the company recently launched a trio of special editions called Mud Mode, Sand Mode and Snow Mode; we’ve got the former on test as we write this and will be challenging it to prove itself worthy of its name in a future issue, but for now here’s the range-topping GT-Line S model in 4x4 Hybrid form. There are four main trim levels in the range, along with petrol, diesel mild hybrid, petrol hybrid and petrol plug-in hybrid powertrains. Hybrids have the option of all-wheel drive, and on plug-ins it’s standard. To cut to the chase, the one we drove lists at £41,550. That puts it on the second rung from top on the price ladder, because going plug-in bumps the money to £45,100. It’s the most powerful model in the range, with 261bhp, but we found that 226bhp was enough to give the Sorento plenty of urge. As usual with turbocharged petrol engines, all the torque’s available deep in the depths of the rev range. And of course the electric motor in the system gives you all it’s got the moment it starts turning. The result is 259lbf.ft from a useful 1500rpm. So it pulls eagerly, whisking you away from the lights and staying with you all the way to the top. It’s not made to be a fast car, and a 0-60 time of 8.0
4x4 16/01/2023 00:44
