Kia Sportage in the test: Clean

The first impression : Schürzenjäger. It is mainly the panels on the front and rear, which should make the difference to the predecessor in the facelift. Of course, new colors and rims are also available.

The manufacturer says: The Sportage is the best horse in the stable of Steffen Cost. Nevertheless, the German boss of Kia is currently suffering. Because the diesel quota in this successful series has dropped from 55 percent last year to 24 percent this year. The diesel engine not only brings more money in the cash, but also helps the manufacturer to achieve the EU targets for fleet consumption.

That's why Cost is also happy about the new diesels, which have been made cleaner with SCR catalyst and urea injection. They comply with all standards and are exempted from driving bans: "Now there is no reason not to buy a diesel," says spokeswoman Susanne Mickan. Kia hopes in the future again to a quota of at least 40 percent. "Together with our sister brand Hyundai, we are the first to offer a mild hybrid with a 48 volt starter generator for our diesels on this luxury segment." Mild hybrids support the combustion engine with additional power - for example when starting or accelerating, but the car can not drive at all times with the electric motor alone.

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Kia

We noticed that the electric starter generator, which Kia is so proud of, is not perceived by the driver. For the two-liter diesel, the Koreans first combine with the mild hybrid system, with its 185 hp and 400 Nm already from home so much punch that the 15 hp and 55 Nm of the e-machine does not really matter ,

The connected via a belt and powered by a 48-volt network of a lithium-ion battery in the trunk electric motor manages but to start the burner much more comfortable than a normal starter. While driving, the diesel can switch off more often. As long as the battery is full, Kia sends the diesel engine at less than 30 km / h and light gas foot in the break, the car rolls. Because the electric motor can regain energy while braking and there is also an eight-speed automatic transmission for this top engine, the fuel consumption at the end adds up to ten percent, the developers argue. The standard consumption is Kia with 5.7 liters.

Take a look inside the Kia Sportage:

In the best sense inconspicuous is the rest of the Sportage. The ambience is elegant, the space available and the list of assistants will be even longer. For the first time, the distance control, which operates between 0 and 160 km / h, also brakes the SUV to a standstill in order to avoid an accident. This closes the car to cars like the VW Tiguan or the Seat Ateca. Only in the variability of the Kia can not keep up with the VW, because he lacks the sliding rear seat.

For the Koreans have finally defused the backward rather unclear body by installing a few external cameras that scan the environment and enable a panoramic view on the large touch screen.

You have to know that: The revised Sportage will be delivered at prices starting from 22,490 euros from September. In addition to the mild hybrid diesel, there is a second diesel, which is completely new. He has 1.6 liters of displacement and is offered with 115 or 136 hp; the weaker variant only with front, the stronger against surcharge also with all-wheel drive. When two-liter diesel he is series. The small oil burner still has to make do without a 48-volt generator, but will also be retrofitted next spring. Then the consumption of currently at best 4.8 liters should fall a little further.

As much as Kia at the Sportage on the diesel sets - of course it's not without gasoline. Therefore, the Koreans continue to have a 1.6-liter with 132 or 177 hp and front or four-wheel drive in the program, which is now equipped with particulate filter. So he meets the then valid emission standard.

We will not forget that: The continuous light strip at the rear, which is also used on the Audi Q8. Maybe this is a reminiscence of the Kia design director Peter Schreyer to his old employer Audi.

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