I drove an entry-level petrol Sportage just before our diesel model arrived.

Maybe it’s down to a desire for life-enhancing features brought on by advancing years, but my first reaction was to turn my nose up sniffily at the lack of an auto-headlight setting, an indication, I felt, of a lack of spec. It turns out the base model has plenty of standard kit (see previous report), while any snobby misgivings I had have been alleviated by the ‘2’ spec’s privacy glass, reversing sensors and panoramic sunroof – although there still isn’t an auto-headlight setting.

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 2
Mileage 450
Claimed combined
consumption
54.3mpg
Our average
consumption
36.1mpg
P11D price £20,300
Model price range £17,015-£25,745
CO2 (tax) 135g/km (19%)
BIK 20/40% per month £64/£129
Engine size/power 1685cc/114PS
Top speed/0-60mph 107mph/11.9secs
Why we’re running it Can it genuinely take
on Nissan’s Qashqai?
Positive Front-end looks, high-up
driving position
Negative Rear-end looks,
fit and finish issues