Review: Kia Sportage CRDi

It's hard to think of a car company which has transformed itself as thoroughly as Kia over the past five years writes motoring editor Peter Carroll.

The Korean firm continues to launch new vehicles and concepts at an almost bewildering rate - and was rewarded earlier this year by record sales in the UK.

Not content with having weeded out its rubbish cars, like the Cerato, the go-ahead manufacturer is improving the ones which weren't that bad to begin with, such as the Sorento 4x4, as well as coming up with interesting new concepts like the all-electric POP, due to debut at the Paris Motor Show this autumn.

But perhaps no model demonstrates Kia's newfound confidence better than the latest version of the Sportage. The vehicle has been transformed from a worthy but slightly dull SUV to an ultra-modern - and very stylish - 'crossover.'

It's the first Kia to be completely designed by Peter Schreyer, creator of the hugely popular TT for his old employers Audi. The new Sportage is longer, lower and wider than the old model and has a sleeker profile, along with a heavily 'ribbed' roof.

Elements of the design, like the 'tiger nose' grille, can be expected to be included forthcoming Kia models for the foreseeable future.

Of course, the template for crossovers was established by Nissan in 2007 when it turned its back on traditional medium-sized hatches and saloons like the Almera and Primera and unveiled the Qashqai.

The Qashqai blended the chunky looks and lofty driving position of an SUV with the comfort and practicality of a hatchback - and was an instant hit with British buyers.

Since then, plenty of similar-looking rivals have arrived in its wake, notably VW's Tiguan, Ford's Kuga, Hyundai's ix35 and the 3008/5008 duo from Peugeot.

But the most dramatic-looking of the lot is the updated Sportage. It shares many parts with the ix35, from sister firm Hyundai, but the Kia has a sharper, more European look and also benefits from one or two tweaks in its innards aimed at boosting handling and ride quality.

Due to issues regarding supply the Sportage will be available initially only as a one model special edition, with four-wheel drive. This is called the First Edition and costs £20,777 for the manual, or £22,077 for the automatic.

Other models, including a 1.6 litre petrol and 1.7 litre diesel, and two-wheel drive variants, will arrive in the UK from November. The high level of standard equipment makes the First Edition a good buy.

You get, as standard: heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, rear privacy glass, cornering lights with daytime LED running lights, and a novel reversing camera built into the rear view mirror.

The launch cars were finished in Techno Orange (a dark metallic orange) and had 18-inch alloys which looked great but will be highly prone to 'kerbing'.

Inside, there's plenty of room for five, plus luggage - and the torquey 134hp 2.0 litre diesel is certainly up to the job of transporting a full load. It feels quicker than its 0-60mph acceleration figure of 10.9 seconds might suggest and can tow a 2,000kg load.

The car handled well and always felt securely planted to the road, even when the heavens opened on Kia's test route through the Cotwolds. It's refined too and also seems to ride better than the ix35, with only a small amount of roll through corners.

Two-wheel drive cars will eventually be available but the First Edition has 'intelligent' electronically- controlled all wheel drive. It mostly delivers all its torque to the front wheels but can send 40 per cent to the rear when road conditions deteriorate or to enhance cornering stability.

There's also a lock mode which gives a 50:50 torque split at speeds of up to 25mph for off-road work.

Most crossover customers (for all brands) tend to opt for the cheaper, more economical two-wheel drive models - but I would stick with the all-wheel drive cars.

The latter are better to drive and feel more secure on the road.

And if the next winter is anything like the last you'll have at least a fighting chance of getting home.

I liked the new Sportage: It looks the part, drives well (at least in 4x4 form) and has the potential to do very well for Kia.

It could even attract a younger, more affluent buyer to the brand too, which the similarly radically-styled Soul failed to achieve.

Prices for two-wheel drive cars will be revealed closer to their arrival.