Kia has updated the Sportage with revised looks and more power. The new car more closely resembles Kia’s fully electric models, while power for the hybrid model is up to 235bhp. I’ve been towing with the top-spec 4×4, the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT-Line S AWD.

What am I looking for in the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT-Line S AWD?

I want to know if more power has improved the Sportage. How well does it tow, and what is the Kia like to live with? Is it among the best tow cars?

Towing ability of the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT-Line S AWD

The latest Sportage is available as a petrol or hybrid car, with a plug-in hybrid model joining the range within a few months.

I’ve been driving the four-wheel drive hybrid tow car, which looks like the pick of the current range for towing.

With a kerbweight of 1733kg, this Sportage has an 85% match figure of 1473kg. That sneaks in just under the towing capacity of 1510kg. Some diesel-powered alternatives, such as the Škoda Karoq 4×4, have higher maximum towing figures.

The Kia from the rear
The Sportage is not a small car – it’s roomy inside with plenty of space for luggage, too

When it came to my car/caravan match, I paired the Sportage to a Bailey Unicorn Cadiz with a Mass in Running Order of 1335kg, borrowed from Raymond James Caravans in Atherstone.

Thanks to the immediate response from the electric motor and the top-end power of the petrol engine, the Sportage quickly towed up to speed. The car easily held 60mph on motorway inclines and maintained its pace on hilly country roads. It was only when asked to accelerate hard that engine noise became intrusive.

Choosing the four-wheel-drive model adds £1600 to the price, but it’s money well spent for those who like caravanning in winter. As well as putting the Sportage’s power to the road cleanly, even on damp Tarmac, the four-wheel drive is heavier than the front-wheel-drive car for more favourable matching ratios. Hill starts are also easy in the 4×4.

The rear seats in the Sportage
Legroom for two adults here, with USB charging and a fold-down armrest

Cruising along at 60mph on the motorway (the speed limit when towing a caravan on a motorway), the Sportage was stable and secure. Once in a while we could feel movements from the caravan tugging at the back of the car, but not enough for any nervous moments.

Kia offers the Sportage with a choice of towbars. My test car came with a detachable towbar and 13-pin electrics, with a combined cost of £875. A fixed towbar and seven-pin towing electrics are also available, as well as a retractable towbar. This is a more expensive option, however, adding £1699 to the asking price.

Whichever type of towbar is fitted, the maximum download is 100kg.

Solo driving

Without the weight of a caravan to pull, the hybrid drivetrain doesn’t have to work so hard. As such, there’s less noise from the engine unless you have a really heavy right foot.

The increase in power from 212bhp to 235bhp is hard to detect without driving this car and the previous model back to back, but there’s enough punch for decisive overtaking.

Although capable of 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds, the Sportage is better suited to less aggressive driving. That way electrical power takes on more of the work and the cabin is quieter.

Around town, the Sportage will creep through stop-start traffic on electricity alone, although you will need to wait for the plug-in hybrid to make short journeys without using any fossil fuel.

The touchscreen
Easy-to-use touchscreen display shows hybrid battery level and fuel usage

On country roads, the Sportage handles neatly but it’s not the type of car that encourages the driver to take the long way home. The steering is accurate but lacking in feel, so although the Kia is composed and capable, it’s not sporty.

It is simple to drive, though, with smooth acceleration, brakes that are easy to modulate, and smooth automatic gear changes.

Head onto the motorway and the Sportage feels secure, while engine noise largely remains in the background. Road noise is noticeable over coarse surfaces, however.

Space and practicality in the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT-Line S AWD

The Sportage has been facelifted, so there’s no big change to the car’s space for people and luggage.

In the front, the driver faces a digital display with a 12.3-inch touchscreen alongside it. Thumb the start button and you’ll also spot the head-up display, which conveniently places key information such as speed and sat nav directions in the driver’s line of sight.

The touchscreen has crisp graphics and a logical layout. However, should you wish to disable some of the nagging driver assistance systems you have to work your way through several menus.

The digital dashboard in the Kia
Digital dashboard, touchscreen and a quality feel in the cabin

The GT-Line S has electrical adjustment for the front seats, including lumbar adjustment for the driver. I would have liked more reach adjustment for the steering wheel.

There’s less legroom in the back than in a Škoda Karoq, for example. Even so, there’s plenty of space in the back unless those in the front are very tall.

The boot
Boot space is excellent and the wide aperture makes loading much easier

Kia is very good at the details, so there are USB ports in the backs of the front seats. There are air vents between the front seats, a separate temperature control for rear-seat passengers, and twin cupholders in the armrest.

Luggage space is a healthy 587 litres. Levers either side of the tailgate fold down the back seats if more room is needed.

Buying and owning

In this top specification, the Sportage costs £43,775. That’s competitive, although the new Chery Tiggo 9 offers a lot more power and a third row of seats for less money.

The GT-Line S has an eight-speaker stereo, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a surround-view camera system, artificial leather upholstery, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The list of safety kit contributes to a five-star score from Euro NCAP.

In official tests, the car returns 44.1mpg. I saw 24.4mpg while towing.

Alternatives to consider

You could take a look at the BMW 530e M Sport Pro Touring if you have the budget for it. It’s a fine tow car which provides a spacious interior and both tows and drives well. Alternatively, you could consider the Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’ – when I reviewed it last year, I gave it 5/5, with it impressing with its fuel efficiency, large cabin and its impressive towing.

Technical spec

  • Model tested: 1.6 T-GDI GT-Line S AWD
  • Kerbweight: 1733kg
  • Price: £43,775
  • Retained value after three years: N/A
  • Kerbweight: 1733kg
  • 85% of kerbweight: 1473kg
  • Gross vehicle weight: 2285kg
  • Max towing limit: 1510kg
  • Gross train weight: 3795kg
  • Towball limit: 100kg
  • Price of towball: £875
  • Boot size: 587-1776 litres
  • Payload: 552kg
  • Test conditions: Damp
  • Engine size: 1598cc
  • Power(bhp)/rpm: 235/6000
  • Torque (lb ft)/rpm: 195/1500
  • Official fuel economy: 44.1mpg
  • Towing economy: 24.4mpg
  • CO2 emissions: 145g/km                                           
  • First year car tax: £540
  • Second year car tax: £620
  • Insurance group: 26E
  • Euro NCAP rating: 5/5

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