SA Road Tests

Welcome

This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active menu down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and follow the drop-down.

Editor's note: SA Roadtests accepts multi-day vehicle loans from manufacturers in order to provide editorial reviews. All vehicle reviews are completed on our turf and on our terms.
However, for out-of-province vehicle launch features, travel costs are covered by the manufacturer concerned. This is common in the motor industry, as it's far more economical to ship journalists to cars than to ship cars to journalists.
Judgments and opinions expressed on this site are our own and we do not accept paid editorial content.


Stylish newcomer: 2019 Kia Sportage 1.6 GDI Ignite

All a family needs

Pics by Motorpress
Posted: 19 February 2019

The numbers
Price: R386 995
Engine: 1591 cc, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated
Power: 97 kW at 6300 rpm
Torque: 161 Nm at 4850 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 170 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 8.8 l/100 km
Tank: 62 litres
Luggage: 466 – 1455 litres VDA
Ground clearance: 182 mm
Turning circle: 11.0 metres
Standard tyre size: 215/60R16
Spare: Full-size alloy
Kerb mass: 1568 kg
GVM: 2040 kg
Maximum towing mass, braked/unbraked: 1400/750 kg
Warranty: 5 years, unlimited km with roadside assistance
Service plan: 5 years/90 000 km

Kia’s Sportage underwent a major revamp in 2016. Then, a few months ago, the surgeons tweaked the facelift. The front end features a new bumper design to make it look more masculine and menacing, while the fog lamps were given more prominent housings. A restyled rear bumper and new lighting signature emphasise the car’s width to make it look more “planted.” New wheels and colour options form part of the package.

A dozen variants was considered excessive so the range was rationalised down to nine. Three engines were dropped and a new price leader was introduced. There are now four trim levels: Ignite, Ignite Plus, EX and EX Plus. And three engines: 1.6-litre petrol, 2.0 petrol and 2.0-diesel. Three gearboxes put power to the ground - six-speed manual or auto and a new eight-speed self-shifter that serves diesel models only. There is only one awd – a diesel with automatic.

Our test unit was the new entry-level model with free breathing 1600 cc motor, six-speed automatic and basic Ignite specification. Its 1591 cc, GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine is uprated beyond Cerato, Soul, Accent and Creta levels to 97 kilowatt and 161 Nm while transmission is via the group’s efficient in-house unit that has been around for a while.

Standard items include variable ratio electric power steering, disc brakes front and rear, 16” alloy wheels with full-size spare, ABS brakes with EBD and ESC, hill start assistance, downhill brake control, rear parking sensors, automatic lights, electric mirrors and windows (auto-down for driver), manual air conditioner, fabric upholstery with height adjusters for both front chairs, six-speaker sound system with Bluetooth, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel with remotes, and six airbags. The information screen is a simple 3.5” TFT panel – no colours, no touch, no CarPlay – just buttons. But it covers all that most families need.

While on “what most families need”, the car offers plenty of power for daily use. It is also spacious, quiet, comfortable (including over gravel), easy to drive, brakes well, feels solid and stable and is very well finished inside and out.
 
The boot loads at a height of 745 mm and offers a cargo cover, one light, two bag hooks and four lashing rings. You need to lean in through the back doors to get to the seat tipping levers but the backrests fold almost completely flat. They can also recline a few degrees for passengers’ comfort.

Those seated in the rear find stacks of head- and foot space and enough knee room for a bridal gown. There are, naturally, three belts and head restraints along with a pair of ISOFix anchoring sets. Speaking of which, a second courtesy light makes it easier to get the bambini safely strapped in after dark. A folding armrest includes a pair of cup holders for those who can’t do without while a remote vent, a 12V/180W power point, grab handles and token bottle-holders look after comfort.

Priced just shy of R400 000, this Sportage is no first-time buyer’s basic tin box but it does its job well, is comfortable, has all the expected safety kit and offers what we might not have considered possible ten years ago – damn’ fine Korean Quality.

Test car from Kia Motors SA press fleet

We drove a 2.0 automatic in 2017


What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.