Nice price for solid Kia Sportage

7 Nov 2026

Ian Lamming discovers a real bargain in the supremely
capable and compact SUV

You get what you pay for, right? Or do you?

So, there I was, recently, in this posh SUV costing more than £70,000 and to drive it was okay, as you might expect.

Then there’s the latest Kia Sportage weighing in at just over half as much.

You’d think, realistically, that it would be half as good. But that would be wrong, very wrong. In reality it is more than a match for the pricier model and in some areas it’s even better.

It does make me wonder why anyone bothers spending the extra dosh when the Kia is so good and value for money.

This is the fifth-generation Kia Sportage and each one has been pretty darn good.

Gen 5 features a refined version of Kia’s faceless look which has spread through the range.

By that I mean it is unconventional, so there aren’t any eye headlights or mouth grille and the signature daytime running lights are the standout feature.

It is unique, contemporary and muscular giving the Sportage a healthy amount of road presence. It looks solid on the road, like it would survive a hurricane or a blast wave.

Top of the range GT Line S also comes in twin-tones which makes it look very appealing indeed. Quality-wise it boasts a sheen that equally matches the more expensive brands.

Inside, the story continues to impress with an excellent dashboard and set of controls. Switches – yeah – look after primary functions and the touchscreen and virtual clocks are clear and easy to understand.

There’s a row of touchscreen controls in the middle that alternate functions when you tap the master switch. Clever.

Infotainment is easy to use and the music section features a top of the range Harman Kardon which makes me very happy.

It’s also exceptionally spacious with a large boot making the Sportage the ideal family vehicle with space aplenty for bodies and paraphernalia.

Drivers are going to love it too. Whether you are afflicted with a boring commute or fancy a rag round a country lane the Kia handles it all with aplomb.

On long journeys it eats the miles and you end up getting to your destination before you expect all fresh as a daisy.

When you get back home and are walking to the house there’s always the sensation that you wouldn’t mind jumping back inside and racking up a few more miles.

Down the twisties it handles better than a large SUV has the right to do with well-weighted steering, controlled, compliant ride and excellent road manners.

Grip is tenacious thanks to all-wheel-drive and big, wide alloys, boosting confidence even further. It really is an enjoyable vehicle to throw at the countryside, stay safe and have an immense amount of fun.

The motor mixes turbo-charged petrol with powerful electric which work together in unison.

Together they whop out 235BHP which gives the Sportage willing performance. But it is smooth and serene when needed and in towns will often just run on the electric. Economy is fair at mid 40s; it is certainly no gas guzzler.

It’s the sign of a great car that leaves you wanting more whether the foray has been cross-country or along tedious motorways and the Sportage offers full marks with both.

Specification offers every luxury and safety device imaginable, too many to list here. All the important stuff is there to perfect the cabin ambience and speed everyone along in perfect safety.

The latest Sportage is an impossible car to fault. Perhaps the looks might not be to everyone’s tastes but they don’t bother me, they are distinctive, and the driving dynamics are peerless.

So next time you are in the market for a luxury SUV perhaps you need to look nearer and by buying the Kia you can keep a big wedge in the bank.