At 4440mm in length and 1645mm high – that’s longer than the rival Hyundai ix35 (4410mm) but not as tall (1670mm), and bigger in both directions than the Nissan Qashqai (4330x1615mm) – I’m thankful our Sportage has a reverse parking sensor.

The only thing is, it’s a bit over-sensitive and begins beeping away like a pre-watershed Gordon Ramsay when there isn’t an object anywhere within the vicinity of the car’s backside. It does work as it’s designed to when the Sportage nears an obstruction, but the flurry of sound before then can be unnerving and has undermined my trust in it.

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 2
Mileage 1365
Claimed combined
consumption
54.3mpg
Our average
consumption
36.8mpg
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 High-up driving
position helps visibility
Negative Chunky A-pillars
hamper visibility