Review: Kia KM Sportage (2005-10)

Review: Kia KM.I Sportage (2005-07)

Overview

Released in April 2005, the Kia KM Series I (KM.I) Sportage was an all-wheel drive SUV. Manufactured in Gwangju, South Korea, the Sportage was powered by a 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Specifically, the 2.7-litre G6BA ‘Delta’ V6 engine had an aluminium alloy cylinder block and head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

Dimensions

Compared to the Hyundai XD Tucson on which it was based, the KM Sportage was 25 mm longer (at 4350 mm), 30 mm narrower (1800 mm) and 35 mm lower (1695 mm), though the wheelbase was the same length (2630 mm).

Suspension

The KM Sportage had MacPherson strut front suspension with L-shaped lower arms, while the rear suspension had dual control arms.

AWD system

The Sportage was fitted with an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system – sourced from Borg-Warner – which included an electromechanical multi-plate clutch with an Interactive Torque Management unit mounted ahead of the Torsen-type limited slip rear differential. In normal conditions, drive was directed to the front wheels but up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to rear wheels if traction was lost. The all-wheel drive system also featured a ‘lock’ mode for a fixed, 50:50 front:rear torque split which could be used at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the KM.I Sportage included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Features

Standard features for the KM.I Sportage included 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/65 tyres, a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear fog lights, split and flat folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, an independently opening tailgate, roof rails, a cargo cover and an immobiliser.

Review: Kia KM.II Sportage (2007-09)

Overview

Released in September 2007, the KM Series II (KM.II) Sportage introduced a revised range with front wheel drive models and 2.0-litre petrol and turbo-diesel engines. Of the engines,

• the 2.0-litre G4GC ‘Beta’ petrol engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake valve timing (CVVT) and a compression ratio of 10.1:1; and,
• the 2.0-litre D4EA ‘D’ turbo-diesel engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, common-rail direct injection (operating at 1600 bar), a variable geometry turbocharger, single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.3.

The KM.II Sportage range consisted of LX, EX and EX-L variants. While the price-leading LX was front-wheel drive only and powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine was reserved for the EX and EX-L variants.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Sportage LX included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Beyond this, the 2.7-litre petrol V6 EX variant added traction control, while the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel EX was also fitted with electronic stability control. For the EX-L variants, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), electronic stability control and traction control were fitted as standard.

Features: Sportage LX, EX and EX-L

Standard features for the Sportage LX included 16-inch alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, air conditioning, power adjustable driver’ s seat, front and rear fog lights, split and flat folding rear seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, power mirrors and windows, remote central locking, tilt adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet, cargo cover, alarm and immobiliser. From October 2008, the LX variant was fitted with an upgraded six speaker sound system with MP3/iPod/USB auxiliary inputs.

Compared to the LX, the Sportage EX added a six speaker sound system while the Sportage EX-L was further differentiated by its leather seats and power sunroof; turbo-diesel models were also fitted with a trip computer.

Review: Kia KM.III Sportage (2009-10)

Overview

Released in August 2009, the KM Series III (KM.III) Sportage introduced a simplified range and improved safety equipment. As part of the update, the EX-L variant and the 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine were discontinued. Furthermore, the EX variant was available as a front-wheel drive model with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Safety equipment

Compared to its KM.II predecessor, standard safety equipment for the KM.III Sportage was extended to include electronic stability control and traction control.

Features

Features for the KM.III Sportage variants were substantially the same as the KM.II Sportage.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Kia KM Sportage