South Trail Kia
The Canadian compact crossover market isn't short of models to choose from, but the Kia Sportage has consistently featured in the bestseller lists since its launch back in 1993. The latest 2021 refresh is now available for sale in Calgary, but what are the key features to look out for?
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The standard engine in the 2021 Kia Sportage is a chunky 2.4L inline-four model, making a healthy 181 horsepower and 175lb-ft of torque. The output is passed through a six-speed automatic transmission, which includes Kia's advanced Sportmatic drive mode system, to a choice of either front-wheel or four-wheel drive.
For a compact SUV, the standard amount of power provides a responsive drive, with plenty enough juice for everyday journeys both in the city and on the highway. But if you're looking for a bit extra under the hood, there's a 2.0L turbo option available which raises the horsepower to an impressive 237hp, and the torque rating to 260lb-ft. This is enough to give the Sportage an aggressive but controlled feel, particularly given this engine is only available with all-wheel drive.
The two engines span a fairly large range in fuel economy, as you'd expect from the different horsepowers. The standard configuration offers a rating of 10.7L / 100km for city driving, dropping to a commendable 9L / 100km on the highway.
The turbo engine is a little thirstier, with its higher performance reflected in the figures of 12.1L / 100km in the city and 9.7L / 100km for highway driving.
At the base level, the Sportage LX has standard safety features including ABS brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control. However, move up beyond the starter trim and a range of advanced active safety features become available, with the key systems including:
Add these systems to the solid engine power, and the 2021 Kia Sportage feels like a safe and dependable SUV to drive.
The high level of tech provision continues inside the passenger cabin. For 2021, Kia has included a powerful 8" touchscreen infotainment system as standard across the range, with nice features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also installed as standard.
Higher trim levels can double the number of displays to two, and also upgrade the standard audio to an eight-speaker premium system with a 320W amplifier and digital sound processing.
Kia has a strongly deserved reputation for producing affordable cars, and the 2021 Sportage continues firmly in that tradition. The starting price for the entry-level LX trim is just $25,795, while even the high-end, all-wheel drive SX model comes in at a few dollars under $40k.
To see for yourself why the Sportage is Kia's longest-running vehicle line, contact us to arrange a test drive of the 2021 model from our Calgary dealership. Its combination of power under the hood and advanced tech in the cabin are sure to keep the 2021 Sportage at the head of the compact crossover pack.