Kia Sportage 2019 Review

In the local C-Segment SUV market, consumers generally pursue "balanced practicality" — meeting the spatial needs of daily family commutes, offering sufficient features for convenience, and ensuring the price doesn't exceed the budget too much. The 2019 Kia Sportage 2.0 EX is designed precisely to meet this demand, priced at RM 123,480 and equipped with a range of safety features and a well-thought-out spatial design, making it a notable choice in this segment. This time, we got our hands on the vehicle to evaluate its practicality in static conditions, dynamic driving performance in line with family expectations, and whether its features truly provide value for money.

At first glance, the overall style of the Sportage 2.0 EX leans toward being stable yet maintains a sense of design. The front adopts Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, with chrome detailing around the edges and the brand logo embedded in the center, offering good recognizability. On both sides are halogen headlights; although not as striking as LEDs, the automatic headlight function is standard, convenient for daily use. The side profile features smooth lines extending from the front to the rear of the vehicle, preventing the side from looking too monotonous. Paired with 18-inch alloy wheels, it does not appear minimalistic visually. At the rear, the tail lights are designed horizontally, creating a strong sense of harmony with the front, while the silver skid plate at the bottom of the rear bumper adds a touch of SUV ruggedness. Overall, the exterior design is not overly aggressive; it’s more of a timeless style suitable for the aesthetics of most family users.

Entering the interior, the layout prioritizes practicality. The center console adopts a symmetrical design, with soft-touch materials on the upper part and hard plastic below. The craftsmanship is decent, with no noticeable sense of cheapness. The multifunctional steering wheel is wrapped in leather, offering a moderate grip. Buttons on the left control the audio and Bluetooth calls, while those on the right handle cruise control, all feeling intuitive to operate. The instrument panel features illuminated analog dials that are easily readable, displaying information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level at a glance. The central screen measures 8 inches and supports Bluetooth connectivity and phone mirroring. While the response speed may not be particularly fast, it’s adequate for daily use. In terms of features, the front comes equipped with single-zone automatic air conditioning, while the rear has independent air vents, ensuring rear passengers won't feel stuffy in summer. The seats are fabric, which may not feel as premium as leather but offer good support, making long journeys comfortable.

Space performance is a key concern for family users, and the Sportage 2.0 EX's dimensions measure 4480mm in length, 1855mm in width, and 1655mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2670mm, placing it at an average level within its class. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable position, a 175cm tall passenger still has about a fist's room above their head. The rear legroom is approximately two fists, and headroom is also about a fist, meaning three adults can sit without feeling overly cramped. Regarding storage space, the front door panels can hold two bottles of water, there’s a storage compartment under the center console for a phone or wallet, and the central armrest box provides ample capacity. The trunk has a volume of 466 liters, which can accommodate two 28-inch suitcases and some smaller items without issue. The rear seats can also be folded down in a split configuration, offering decent versatility.

In terms of dynamic driving, the Sportage 2.0 EX is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 155PS and a maximum torque of 192Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The power output during start-up is relatively smooth, without the abrupt feeling of turbo intervention, making it suitable for stop-and-go situations in urban areas. During acceleration, the transmission's shift logic is clear, with active upshifting. Acceleration is relatively linear before reaching a speed of 80km/h, but after surpassing 100km/h, the acceleration force weakens slightly, requiring advance throttle input when overtaking. There are two driving modes: Normal and Sport. In Sport mode, the transmission delays upshifts and the throttle response becomes slightly more sensitive, but the overall difference is not significant.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel has moderate effort with minimal dead zone, making daily driving quite easy. The front suspension uses MacPherson struts, while the rear suspension is a multi-link independent setup, both tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps or rough roads, the suspension filters out most vibrations, ensuring passengers inside the car do not feel excessively jolted. When cornering, the vehicle's body roll is well-controlled with no obvious swaying, offering decent stability. The brake pedal feels linear, with a reasonable braking distance, inspiring confidence for everyday driving.

Regarding fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 6.5L/100km. During our actual tests, it was about 8L in urban conditions, while on highways it could drop to around 6L. Overall, the performance is average, meeting the fuel efficiency needs of family users. Regarding noise control, the interior remains relatively quiet under speeds of 60km/h, with minimal tire and wind noise. However, once the speed exceeds 80km/h, tire noise becomes more noticeable, though it remains within an acceptable range and does not interfere with normal conversations.

Overall, the 2019 Kia Sportage 2.0 EX's core advantage lies in its balance—practical space, rich safety features (6 airbags, vehicle stability control, front and rear parking sensors, etc.), smooth driving experience, and an affordable price of RM 123,480. Compared to its competitors in the same class, such as the Honda CR-V 2.0L or Toyota RAV4 2.0L, the Sportage 2.0 EX offers richer configurations and a more competitive price. However, its power performance is not particularly strong, and its interior materials could be improved.

The target audience for this car is very clear: families who prioritize practicality and value for money. If you need a car that can cater to daily commutes, occasional family trips, and offers sufficient configurations at a reasonable price, the Sportage 2.0 EX is a good choice. It does not excel in any particular aspect, but it also has no major shortcomings, making it a well-rounded option.

To sum up, the 2019 Kia Sportage 2.0 EX is a practical family SUV. Its balanced performance and affordable price are its greatest selling points. If you are looking for a reliable everyday driving experience rather than aggressive performance or luxurious interiors, this car is worth considering.