2012 Kia Sportage

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Kia Sportage safety rating

Kia Sportage

Kia’s Sportage has carved itself a solid niche among South Africa’s most hard-fought SUV battlegrounds, going head-to-head with the RAV4, CX-5, and Tucson. Engine options actually cover all the main bases: you get a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol for those who play it safe, a 1.6 turbo for extra punch, a 2.0-litre petrol for tradition’s sake, and a 2.0 turbodiesel for the fuel-savvy. Transmissions are all over the map—manual, auto, semi-auto, dual-clutch—so you’re not locked into a single formula. Oddly, all 29 listings you’ll find are used, not a new one among them, which hints at either strong demand or a supply pipeline that’s drying out. Pricing starts at a wallet-friendly R135,900 and stretches to R549,900, but the sweet spot is that R229,900 median: that’s where most buyers are shopping, and it’s what the Sportage should have been from the start. You’ll spot the 1.6 GDI Ignite trims everywhere, almost always automatics, clustered between R198,500 and R249,900, and wearing 2018-or-newer plates. Most are nudging past 116,000 km, so you’d be mad not to factor in a comprehensive inspection before jumping in. The turbocharged GT Line 1.6T-GDi A/T sits at a much steeper R384,950 to R516,900—expensive, but the extra power and bolder looks will appeal if you want your Korean SUV to stand out at the school run. Diesel fans aren’t left out: the 2.0 CRDi EX AWD, from R267,500 to R299,900, is a rare find in a segment where Toyota has left you high and dry. That matters in real-world SA motoring, because diesel economy and practical pricing are still big drawcards, especially when Mazda’s CX-5 keeps creeping up the price ladder.