Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is quite distinctive from the Hyundai Tucson and that’s a positive sign

- Rohit Paradkar

The Kia Sportage, currently in its fourth generation, was launched globally in 2016 and showcased to the Indian audience at the 2018 Auto Expo. Shortly after, I got a chance to drive the car for a couple of hours when we visited Kia India’s plant site in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh. I was quite impressed with the Sportage in that brief drive and so during one of my visits to Delhi this month, I borrowed the car again for a day. Before we proceed any further, let me tell you that this Sportage may not make it to India at all. Kia is concentrating all its efforts on the SP concept they showcased at the Auto Expo, which is due to enter production in 2019.

Then why drive the Sportage and document a report? Like the SP concept shares its underpinnings with the Creta, the Sportage shares platform with the Hyundai Tucson. During its long-term tenure at OD, the Tucson and I spent a good six months with each other and the Sportage felt quite different than its compatriot when I first drove it. Therefore, I went back to find out more.