Kia Sportage carries a hint of swagger

If there were such an award, Kia’s Sportage would get my nod for Best Car to Return From the Dead. The early Sportage — then a little truck-based SUV — was so badly built the rear wheels were known for falling off. Most companies would have walked away from the wreckage, but Kia gave the Sportage two years off to think things over before resurrecting it in 2004 as a car-based crossover. Now in its third generation, the 2013 Sportage beckons buyers with the usual Kia combination of looks, value and tech. Its $19,000 MSRP undercuts all comers, yet even the base trim is equipped with full power accessories, air-conditioning, Bluetooth and satellite radio. Besides the usual safety gear, all Sportages get hill-descent and hill-start control. Hill start holds the rig still for a beat or two when starting from a stop on a hill. Hill descent control holds vehicle speed to 5 mph on steep downhills, a godsend in slippery conditions. Like an underdog claiming new territory — indeed, like all the new Kias — there Sportage exudes a hint of swagger. Up front, wraparound cats-eye headlights, Kia’s corporate tabbed grill and a short, sloping hood are sleek and a bit pugnaciousness. A high shoulder line, swollen wheel wells and wedge-shaped profile lend a feel of substance. Inside, a two-tone color scheme and neat assortment of textures neutralize the hard plastics expected in the price range. They also draw the eye to the instrument control panel, where Kia wisely segregates climate controls from the navigation/infotainment system. Its voice-activated UVO input system is less inclusive and more approachable than another Microsoft-designed system, MyFord Touch. The Sportage is one of the smaller compact crossovers and, while four adults fit comfortably, cargo space is limited. Unexpected touches include a cooled glove box and a storage nook for the proximity key. Little wind noise intrudes, but on some surfaces the 18-inch tires on my test vehicle threw up a ruckus. Though the seats may be too firm for some, I like ‘em like that. Your mileage will doubtless vary. The ride is firm, though neither stiff nor harsh. Kia seems to be targeting the road feel typical of German cars, with suspension tuning that controls body motion and mutes the shocks generated by broken pavement, but that allows road-surface input. There’s little sport in the Sportage, though. The chassis lacks brio and the electrically assisted steering system is numb and vague on center. Sportage is available in front- and all-wheel-drive. Most AWD systems in this price range wait for front-wheels slippage before sending power to the rear; Kia’s employes a network of sensors to anticipate the need to split power. For maximum traction in deep snow, mud or sand, a driver-selectable locking center differential sends a constant flow of power to all four wheels. It can be engaged at speeds of up to 25 mph. Once presumed dead, the Sportage is now the oldest nameplate in the rapidly changing Kia stable. Consider it a worthy, value-priced competitor in the industry’s hottest — and toughest — category. Don Adair is a Spokane-based freelance writer. Contact him at don@dadair.com. 2013 Kia Sportage SX AWD Vehicle base price: $19,000 Trim level base price: $28,400 As tested: $32,400 Optional equipment included navigation with Sirius Traffic; heated and cooled front seats; heated outside mirrors; panoramic sunroof; cargo cover. EPA ratings: 20 city/25 highway Unleaded regular fuel specified