Review: Kia SL.I Sportage (2010-13)

Overview

Released in August 2010, the Kia SL Series I (SL.I) Sportage was a five seat SUV. Manufactured in Gwangju, South Korea, the SL.I Sportage was available with 2.0- and 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engines and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. As per the table below, the Sportage range consisted of Si, SLi and Platinum variants.

G4KD and G4KG petrol and D4HA diesel engines

Of the engines,

the 2.0-litre G4KD and 2.4-litre G4KG ‘Theta II’ petrol engines had aluminium cylinder blocks and heads, double overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (D-CVVT), variable intake systems and compression ratios of 10.5:1; and,
the 2.0-litre D4HA ‘R’ diesel engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, common-rail direct injection with piezo-electric injectors (operating at 1800 bar), a variable geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel particular filter and a compression ratio of 16.0:1.

Dimensions

Compared to its KM Sportage predecessor, the SL Sportage was 90 mm longer (at 4440 mm), 55 mm wider (1855 mm), 60 mm lower (1635 mm) and had a 10 mm longer wheelbase (2640 mm); the cab forward design also contributed to greater interior space. Furthermore, the increased proportion of high-tensile steel resulted in a stronger chassis.

Suspension and steering

The SL Sportage had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension (both mounted on a lightweight hydro-formed subframe). The SL Sportage was also fitted with speed-sensitive, electric power steering.

Kia SL.I Sportage specifications
Variant	Drive	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
Si	FWD	2.0-litre petrol I4	5sp man., 6sp auto	122 kW at 6200 rpm	197 Nm at 4600 rpm
SLi, Platinum	AWD	2.4-litre petrol I4	6sp auto	130 kW at 6000 rpm	227 Nm at 4000 rpm
SLi, Platinum	AWD	2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4	6sp auto	135 kW at 4000 rpm	392 Nm at 1800-2500 rpm

Dynamax AWD system

Kia SL Sportage models with 2.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines had a ‘Dynamax’ all-wheel drive (AWD) system that was manufactured by Magna International . In normal conditions, the engine’s torque was directed to the Sportage’s front wheels. The Dynamax AWD system, however, was pro-active in that it used inputs from sensors to monitor driving conditions and anticipate AWD requirements, rather than responding to a loss of traction (reactive). When a loss of traction was anticipated, the electrohydraulic multi-plate clutch would engage to direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle.

The Sportage’s traction systems also included downhill brake control and hill start assist.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the SL.I Sportage included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Sportage received a five star safety rating which included a 93 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset crash test, a slight risk of serious lower leg injury was noted, with maximum scores achieved for the side and pole impact tests. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this resulted in an adult occupant protection score of 35.1 out of 37.

Features: Sportage Si, SLi and Platinum

Standard features for the Sportage Si included 17-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary (MP3/USB/iPod) inputs, air conditioning, front fog lamps, cruise control, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity (except for some early deliveries), 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, tinted windows, 12 volt power outlets, a cargo cover, an alarm and immobiliser.

Beyond this, the Sportage SLi added dual-zone climate control air conditioning, adjustable driver’s seat lumbar support, automatic headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, a reversing camera, anti-glare rear view mirror, roof rails and a trip computer.

Finally, the Sportage Platinum was differentiated by its 18-inch alloy wheels (with a full size spare), upgraded sound system with external amplifier and subwoofer, six-disc CD player, leather seats, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, ventilated driver’s seat, heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, proximity key, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, dark-tint privacy glass windows, LED daytime running lights, cooled glovebox and cargo net.

June 2011: Sportage update

In June 2011, the SL Sportage received additional features for the 2012 model year. Standard features were extended to include rubber floor mats, a dash light dimmer and folding key. The SLi and Platinum variants were further equipped with stain-resistant seat fabrics and larger, 12-inch brake discs (previously 11-inch discs).

March 2012: satellite navigation for Platinum variants

From March 2012, the Platinum variants were fitted with an integrated satellite navigation system with a full-colour 7.0-inch LG touch-screen and SUNA live traffic notifications; the upgrade also included Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone connectivity, full USB/iPod compatibility and a large-format display for the (existing) reversing camera. For the navigation system, Navteq map updates were provided free of charge 12 and 24 months after purchase.

Brochures

Specifications

Specifications: Kia SL.I Sportage (August 2010)