- This topic has 6 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 3 months ago by
.
- Topic
I’ve had the Sportage for one month now and here’s my thoughts on it.
The driving experience with the hybrid system is nice and smooth and the transition between EV and petrol is seamless. Braking is slightly different in that regen can seem a bit grabby, but I’ve now found that this can be adjusted, which I’ve now done and has eased that sharpness.
The MPG is absolutely stellar compared to my last two cars(Kodiaq and Tarraco) where around town I’d be lucky to get 28 MPG, but with the Hybrid I’m doing just under 57. There is very little body roll, although I don’t tend to throw it around corners nowadays! It’s a really nice cabin space with everything close by. The drive selector has taken a bit of getting used to, being a dial style rather than the old gear knob type, but I’m getting there with it.
The car is quiet and rides well on 18” wheels and there is very little wind noise despite the large wing mirrors, talking of wing mirrors, I love that when you indicate the image from the cameras in the mirrors shows up on the dash, which at first, I thought was a gimmick, but I now find it quite useful. The is packed with so many menus and sub menu’s, far too many to mention, but thankfully KIA have put the lane assist OFF BUTTON, on the steering wheel. Sadly, you must go into menus to switch of the speed warning bings to turn off, but I’ve turned the warning sound down so it’s hardly audible now.
Both driver and passenger seats are fully electric and come with heated and cool ventilation, which is superb, plus heated steering wheel. The big two 12” screens that curve into a 24” lovely view of everything you need to have to make driving a good experience. Voice commands are quick to respond and so far, haven’t said, “Please repeat”. A let down for some might be there is no wireless AA/Apple, but I have never bothered with it, so not a problem for me. The short cut buttons are in a horizontal panel just below the left-hand screen, this also has the temp/AC controls and can be displayed by pressing an icon that switches between each view. The volume button then becomes the temperature control button. This is a bit of a faff when driving but is easy overcome with voice commands if needs be.
The backs are comfortable and are heated, recline easy but do not slide backwards or forwards. There is good leg room, and the USB C sockets are placed on the sides of the two front seat making it easier for rear passengers to plug in, rather than leaning down to where most sockets are located.
There is plenty of boot space, 1776lts with the back seats down, which is only 30lts less then my 7 seat Tarraco. The boot lid can be opened and closed from the key fob, plus it can be set up so that when you walk up to the back of the car with the keys in your pocket, it will bleep and open, I’ve found this much better then waving my foot whilst carry a load of shopping!!
I haven’t had a chance to open the car up yet as I’m still in the running milage, but I can definitely say that acceleration is quick and smooth with the electric motor completely taking out any of the old turbo lag I used to have.
Another little trick KIA have installed is the smart assist where you can move the car backwards or forwards while standing outside the car, very handy when you are hemmed in a tight parking space either side. Also, it’s a neat trick to show the grand kids!!
All round, I’ve found the first month very positive with the Sportage and still finding things as I go.
Also, glad I ceramic coated the car, what a difference it makes protection against bird poo etching and keeps the car cleaner for longer.
If anyone has any questions about this model, I’ll try my best to answer them.
- Replies
Hi mate,
You say at the start of the post about regen brakes, please help me out on this, I have the exact same car as you and I can’t find anywhere to change the regen of the breaks for the battery.
Cheers mate
Hi mate, You say at the start of the post about regen brakes, please help me out on this, I have the exact same car as you and I can’t find anywhere to change the regen of the breaks for the battery. Cheers mate
The paddles behind the steering wheel.
They only change your gears, if you are in drive mode and then use the paddles they will either change up or down depending on your revs, but if you want the extra push you select the left paddle and it’ll drop a gear and your revs will increase.
Can you expand on your findings please
Ta mate
They only change your gears, if you are in drive mode and then use the paddles they will either change up or down depending on your revs, but if you want the extra push you select the left paddle and it’ll drop a gear and your revs will increase. Can you expand on your findings please Ta mate
Sorry was thinking of the PHEV.
With the HEV regenerative breaking via the brake pedal @Markymate can you adjust levels 1.2.3 etc?
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.