Kia Motors revealed its new model Sportage during an unveiling ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, Tuesday. The company set target sales for the entry-level SUV at 300,000 units per annum (that's year).
I've always considered the Sportage, with its off-road-worthy fish-vertebrae underpinnings and able tranny, to be the dark horse of the small SUVs — tougher than most, though needlessly underpowered, spacious inside and a good value at just over ten grand, list.
The new model moves the Sportage upmarket a tad, with puffery like stability control and a better-appointed interior, with curtain air bags, and a more powerful 2.0 liter four as well as a (gasp!) 2.7 liter V6 option.
It remains to be seen how close to 20 large the Sportage will run, but we're optimistic that little Kia will keep moving ahead with basic quality improvements, while coming into its own in the fit-and-finish department.