Review and photos by Paul Williams
Photo Gallery:
2013 Kia Sportage SX
Korean automaker Kia continues to ride a wave of unprecedented success in Canada that began with the introduction of its current line of redesigned vehicles in 2010–2011. Really, there isn’t a dud among them; such is the appeal of their smart exteriors and high-content packaging.
  2013 Kia Sportage. Click image to enlarge. |
Value pricing—the Korean coup de grace—often seals the deal.
The Kia Sportage is the compact SUV of the group, and along with the Optima sedan, it’s arguably the most dramatically styled vehicle in the Kia lineup. Aerodynamic and a bit aggressive in appearance, the Sportage looks fast and competent; its high waist, purposeful grille, and slim, dark-tinted windows adding notes of menace to the mix.
Starting at $21,995 for the front-wheel-drive LX model, the Sportage price rises steeply to $37,395 for the top-of-the-line all-wheel drive SX. It’s the only model in the Sportage line powered by the direct injected, turbocharged, 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 260 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Kia calls it the T-GDI (turbo gasoline direct injected) engine. This is a technology that’s becoming commonplace in cars and SUVs these days, offering an excellent combination of power and fuel economy.
Our tester, an SX, added $200 to the price for Black Cherry Pearl paint, and something to note is that any Sportage colour other than white similarly attracts a premium price.
You won’t want for much in the 2013 Kia Sportage SX, however; it’s pretty much loaded. A large-screen rear-view camera is standard, along with a premium level navigation system (with split-screen views) and satellite radio with seven-speaker audio. It has all-wheel drive, of course, 18-inch high style wheels, windshield wiper de-icer, dual automatic climate control, locking centre differential, heated front seats (and cooled for the driver), leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, the list goes on.
