2023 Kia Sportage S: Quick review

The first time I spotted a 'Jungle Wood Green' Sportage on the road, I was compelled to circle back for a second glance.

The fifth-generation Kia Sportage isn't just eye-catching; it stands as a formidable player in the medium SUV segment.

The 2023 Sportage S continues to pave the popular models legacy, offering modern design, practicality and value, appealing to a broad audience.

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Pricing and features

The S variant, an entry point to the Sportage lineup, is priced at $32,795 before on-road costs for the manual transmission. Opting for the automatic adds $2000. Both versions harness a 2.0-litre petrol engine, delivering 115kW and 192Nm. Essentially, you're looking at mid-30's pricing for either choice.

A 2.0-litre diesel AWD variant is also available as automatic only for $40,195 before on-roads and creates 137kW and 416Nm. It's much punchier and uses less fuel than its petrol counterparts.

The S offers a compelling mix of essentials and niceties. Standard inclusions are impressive for a base-model and include:

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Inside, the Sportage S focuses on comfort and functionality. The infotainment system, while not the largest in the lineup offers essential connectivity features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Practicality is further enhanced with features like rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and adaptive cruise control.

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Safety

The entire Sportage range is covered by a 5-star ANCAP rating, based on its recent 2022 testing.

It achieved an 87% score for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection and 74% for its safety assist features such as lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking.

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The Sportage S comes equipped with a comprehensive list of safety features such as rear cross traffic alert, safe exit assist, speed limit assist and lead vehicle departure alert.

In terms of servicing, both the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel variants require a visit to the dealership every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever occurs first.

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Key rivals

With 21 individual models in the mainstream medium SUV segment there are plenty of competitors to the Sportage. The most notable include:

• Toyota RAV4
• Hyundai Tucson
• Mazda CX-5
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan X-Trail
• Subaru Forester
• Volkswagen Tiguan

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Should I put it on my shortlist?

The 2023 Kia Sportage S is a well-rounded option for those venturing into the medium SUV market while on a budget.

While it might not boast the bells and whistles of its higher-end siblings, it offers a balanced mix of design, features and value.

If you're seeking a dependable SUV that doesn't compromise on modern essentials, the Sportage S is definitely worth a closer look.

And, at roughly $35k, it's not often a vehicle commands a double-take from me.