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2011 Kia Sportage SX Turbo packs 256 hp, priced from $25,795

Filed under: Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage SX Turbo

2011 Kia Sportage SX Turbo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia has dropped all the juicy details on its 2011 Sportage SX Turbo. The vehicle will hit the streets with a 256-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s also good for 264 pound-feet of torque. That makes the Sportage the second vehicle in the Kia lineup to take advantage of the automaker’s all-new direct-injection engine, the first being the 2011 Optima. The forced-induction four-pot will come bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission, which should help the Sportage SX nab 27 miles per gallon on the highway in front-wheel-drive guise. The automaker says that the figure gives its CUV better fuel economy than any of its competitors.

In addition, the Sportage SX Turbo will use a firmer suspension compared to its naturally aspirated kin, and a host of aesthetic changes will set the vehicle apart from the rest of the Sportage line. Look for special 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust and a different grille to adorn the new turbo model.

Prices start at $25,795 for the front-wheel drive version. Opting for all-wheel drive will set you back an additional $1,500. Both prices exclude a $695 destination charge. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage SX Turbo

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading 2011 Kia Sportage SX Turbo packs 256 hp, priced from $25,795

2011 Kia Sportage SX Turbo packs 256 hp, priced from $25,795 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Sportage tops small CUVs in Consumer Reports test

Filed under: Etc., Crossover, Hatchback, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan

2011 Kia Sportage

2011 Kia Sportage – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Kia Sportage beat out both the Nissan Juke and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in a recent CUV shootout conducted by Consumer Reports. According to CR, Kia has managed to more effectively straddle the line between a full-on SUV and a more civil hatchback with its offering. That’s thanks largely to the fact that the Sportage serves up plenty of interior room without falling on its face in the fun-to-drive department. While the Juke delivers unique styling and plenty of performance, buyers are forced to make major sacrifices in the cargo room department.

Meanwhile, Consumer Reports found the Outlander Sport to share too much DNA with the standard Outlander to take the title.

Everything wasn’t all roses and sunshine with the Sportage, however. CR noted that the vehicle has a planted highway ride, but that acceleration was “leisurely.” Additionally, the Korean CUV has a stiff ride and plenty of road noise at speed. The tester for this particular competition carried a $23,790 MSRP and the company’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 176 horsepower. CR says that the vehicle managed 22 combined miles per gallon in its testing. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage: Review

2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Kia Sportage tops small CUVs in Consumer Reports test originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Sportage with turbo engine debuts in Canada

Filed under: Crossover, Kia, Canada

2011 Kia Sportage Turbo

The 2011 International Truck of the Year has an all new available engine under the hood. Canadian Kia fans can soon head over to dealers and pick up the 2011 Kia Sportage SX, which features a directly-injected 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. We’d expect the U.S. to follow suit in very short order.

Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the turbo mill has a relatively flat torque curve with peak power occurring between 1,800 and 3,000 rpm. When bolted into the 2011 Sonata, the 2.0T is rated at 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. We expect the Sportage SX to produce similar numbers, including the 30+ miles per gallon highway fuel economy figures.

The car will show up in Canadian dealer showrooms by the end of winter. Priced at $36,995, it comes loaded with standard features including the new UVO entertainment system, which is similar to Ford’s Sync. Check out the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage: Review

2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Kia Canada via Auto North | Image: Montreal Motor Show]

Continue reading Kia Sportage with turbo engine debuts in Canada

Kia Sportage with turbo engine debuts in Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Kia Sportage

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Kia, Reviews

Another Korean Competitor That Beats Expectations

2011 Kia Sportage

2011 Kia Sportage – Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia likes to say it has the Power to Surprise. Back in the day (oh, five or so years ago…), the Korean automaker’s customers were supposed to be pleasantly surprised that their new car, crossover or SUV was a better vehicle than expected. Perhaps you’ve heard the drill: “I bought it because it was cheap… and you know, it’s really not that bad.”

These days, though, being less mediocre than expected simply isn’t good enough. See not-so-(inter)stellar brands Saturn and Mercury for proof thereof.

In other words, each new Kia has to be completely on-target and every bit as good as its competitors from America and Japan – and judging by the ambitions of its corporate partner, Hyundai, you might even be inclined to include Germany on that list.

And we’ve come to expect exactly that from Kia. If the company’s first Sportage was a passable entry with a cut-rate price to make the masses take notice, and the second go-round was, you know… “not that bad…” then this crossover, the third-generation Kia Sportage, had better be good.

So, were we pleasantly unsurprised by the 2011 Kia Sportage?

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage: Review

2011 Kia Sportage

Continue reading Review: 2011 Kia Sportage

Review: 2011 Kia Sportage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Kia AU delivers The Message about new Sportage with Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Kia

Kia Sportage delivers ‘The Message’ – Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Whoever is pulling the strings over at Kia’s global marketing operations must love them some old school hip hop. Kia kicked off the urban vibe with its brilliant Soul commercial. The spot featured the marque’s celebrated CGI hamsters and the classic Black Sheep track “The Choice is Yours,” while poking fun at toasters on wheels like the Scion xB and the Nissan Cube. Good stuff, indeed.

Kia of Australia is going back even farther back with a one minute spot for the Sportage featuring the 1982 Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five hit “The Message.” But instead of rocking some overplayed rodents, the ad folks Down Under put the Grandmaster and Scorpio in the car with the suburbanite dad who lip syncs along with the forefathers of rap. We think the commercial has something to do with the guys being close to the edge. Hit the jump to watch the commercial, then scroll down for the second “making of” video. Not quite as entertaining as hip-hopping hamsters, but it’s one heck of a song to put in a commercial. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Kia Australia via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Kia AU delivers The Message about new Sportage with Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio

Video: Kia AU delivers The Message about new Sportage with Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Kia Sportage to start at $18,295*

Filed under: Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Kia Sportage is one great-looking crossover, and with a starting price of $18,295 (*$18,990 with destination) it’s rather affordable as well. Kia announced Tuesday that its longest running nameplate will start well below the $20,000 mark while sporting standard features like a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power everything, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, MP3 inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.

At $20,295 ($20,990 with destination) the mid-level LX model adds outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, keyless entry and privacy glass. Another $3,000 ($23,990 with destination) adds 18-inch alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Standard safety features include six airbags, four-wheel ABS and electronic stability control.

The Sportage appears to be a screaming deal – though it’s starting price is $1,300 higher than the outgoing model, it’s a much improved vehicle – and its 176-horsepower 2.4-liter will deliver an impressive 22 miles-per-gallon in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway. A far more powerful 270+ horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter Sportage variant will be available later in the model year. Hit the jump to read over Kia’s press release.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading 2011 Kia Sportage to start at $18,295*

2011 Kia Sportage to start at $18,295* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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