What's New for 2006
The Sportage EX now features a standard tire-pressure monitor, while all models receive a cabin air filtration system.
Introduction
The name Sportage doesn't really conjure up warm
memories. Many folks remember the Sportage of yesterday, a crude
cute-ute that was plagued with quality issues, a weak engine and a cheap
interior. Introduced globally in 1993, the Kia Sportage was a
body-on-frame compact SUV. Updates and revisions through the years were
made in an effort to keep the truck-based 'ute competitive. The axe fell
in 2002 when the aging Sportage disappeared to make way for the
infinitely more refined midsize Sorento. Kia realized a gap was left
when the Sportage departed, and knew it had to whip up a mini-ute just
as modern as the successful Sorento.
Debuting last year fully
redesigned, the current Kia Sportage shares nothing with its
predecessor. We're not just talkin' basic parts here: The new SUV even
abandons the original's petite dimensions and truck-based body-on-frame
structure in favor of a larger design based on a more carlike unibody
platform. Kia's goal with the Sportage is to combine the smooth ride,
agile handling and refinement of a passenger car, the style and driving
position of an SUV and the interior room of a wagon, all in one
versatile package. And the company has succeeded. The 2006 Kia Sportage
is longer, wider and taller than the average compact SUV. The stylish
interior features quality materials and great ergonomics. A unique
split-folding rear seat is able to fold flat to create a level cargo
floor. It does this by lowering the bottom cushion into the footwell,
and doesn't even require removal of the head restraints.
Power is
provided by two different engines: a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder
engine with continuously variable valve timing, which makes 140
horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque; and an optional 2.7-liter V6
engine that produces 173 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive
is standard, and a full-time four-wheel-drive system is optional. The
system senses when one or both front wheels lose grip and automatically
diverts up to 50 percent of the engine power to the rear wheels. The
system can be manually set to a fixed 50/50 split when extra traction is
needed for driving in the snow.
The Sportage scores highly on the
safety front by including standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes,
stability control, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front occupants,
and front and rear head-protecting side curtain airbags. No longer just
a cute little SUV, the 2006 Kia Sportage is now a serious competitor in
a class of excellent machines. Its affordably priced combination of
carlike ride dynamics, roomy passenger quarters and all-weather
capability make for a compelling package.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The Kia Sportage is a compact four-door SUV
offered in two trim levels, LX and EX. Both two-wheel drive and
all-wheel drive (which Kia calls 4WD) are available. Standard features
on the LX include 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows
and locks, tinted glass, a rear wiper and a CD stereo system. The EX
adds a sunroof, foglamps and keyless entry. Options include a premium
audio system and leather seating.
Powertrains and Performance
The standard engine on the LX is a 2.0-liter,
inline four-cylinder engine. It generates 140 horsepower and 136
pound-feet of torque and is mated to either a five-speed manual
transmission or a four-speed automatic with automanual-shift capability
(2WD only). Optional on the LX and standard on the EX is a 2.7-liter V6
that produces 173 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is available with
the four-speed automatic only. Buyers can get front-wheel drive (2WD) or
all-wheel drive (4WD) with either engine.
Safety
The Kia Sportage boasts six standard airbags --
front and side-impact airbags for both driver and passenger, and side
curtain airbags for both front- and rear-seat occupants. Four-wheel
antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control are all
standard equipment. Neither NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash tested the
Sportage.
Interior Design and Special Features
Kia designed a functional, roomy and attractive
interior for the Sportage. Most of the materials are of good quality and
the build quality is solid. The rear-seat design allows for a flat load
floor by the process of lowering its cushion into the rear footwell;
removing the head restraints is not necessary. With the rear seat
folded, the Sportage offers 67 cubic feet of cargo capacity, a good
figure for this class.
Driving Impressions
The 2006 Kia Sportage provides a carlike ride
while returning relatively sporty handling on par with that of most
peers. Should you push too hard through a corner, the standard stability
and traction control system will intervene to keep you headed in the
right direction. Additionally, the Sportage's four-wheel independent
suspension system helps smooth bumps without the jittery feel typical of
many SUVs. Power from the standard four-cylinder is barely adequate, so
we recommend you stick with the larger 2.7-liter V6. The four-speed
automatic isn't quite as smooth as the five-speed unit in the CR-V or
RAV-4, but it always manages to keep the V6 right in its power band.
0 التعليقات
إرسال تعليق