2019 Kia Sportage test drive

[bloowolf]

Different rims and fog lamps sir Bloo.



Even if it the local version doesn't look exactly like this though, I would be happy if they kept all of the features listed in the brochure they sent me as well.

Most likely those are the standard features of the model. AC Ind. is not CACC.


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[sparc179]

Most likely those are the standard features of the model. AC Ind. is not CACC.


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I really hope so. I will see it personally next month, at least that's what the SA keeps telling me.

[bloowolf]

I really hope so. I will see it personally next month, at least that's what the SA keeps telling me.

Looks really good. What colour are you getting? Or will you have a choice? I hav’nt seen any units on display yet.


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[Maria Salve]

Kia Sportage Australian Open Special Edition | Kia Australia
Looks similar


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Hindi ba kayo nagtataka kung bakit majority ng vehicles na dinadala sa Pilipinas ay kinakaltas or inaalis nila ang mga dapat "standard" technology package na tulad ng meron sa Australian variants at iba pang variants sa abroad?

Sa ganyan strategy ng Filipino car dealers nawalan ako ng gana para i-patronize sila. Sabagay sabi nga "to each his own".

[sparc179]

Hindi ba kayo nagtataka kung bakit majority ng vehicles na dinadala sa Pilipinas ay kinakaltas or inaalis nila ang mga dapat "standard" technology package na tulad ng meron sa Australian variants at iba pang variants sa abroad?

Sa ganyan strategy ng Filipino car dealers nawalan ako ng gana para i-patronize sila. Sabagay sabi nga "to each his own".

I actually agree with you and find it disconcerting as well and I also replied to what I believe the reason to be. We are a tertiary market, it doesn't really matter to them how many units they sell here, it won't affect their bottom lines either way.

Just take a look at the sudden influx of Volkswagen vehicles here, right after the emissions cheating scandal they committed.

We can scream to the high heavens, but they won't listen anyway.

Might as well make the best with what we can get. Improvise, adapt and overcome, we Pilipinos are really good at that.

[bloowolf]

^yes, we hate it. Pero ano ang gagawin natin mga Pilipino? Di naman pwede na bumili abroad at dalhin dito.


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[minicarph]

^yes, we hate it. Pero ano ang gagawin natin mga Pilipino? Di naman pwede na bumili abroad at dalhin dito.


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Mag commue na lang, P2P bus

[bloowolf]

So I was up in Sta. Rosa this afternoon & saw a 2019 Sportage on display (a first for me). It is a white LX. Exterior wise, I like the alloy wheels on this compared to my 2018 SL but it did not have fog lamps. Headlights on this & mine are the same projector type halogens & if there is one thing I hate about the Sportage is the poor headlights. It doesn’t adequately illuminate the portion closest to the front end & I’d normally turn the fogs on for precisely this purpose so I find it odd that the 2019 LX doesn’t have this (the 2017 does). Also, aside from the front & rear, there isn’t much of a difference from the 2018. Inside, there isn’t much difference in the cabin layout, but notable is the 8” touch screen audio which also functions for the back up camera (there are also front & rear parking sensors). It is still a sportronic tranny with drive mode & best of all, 8 speed (from 6). Controls are pretty much carried over from the preceeding, like the rheostat & drive mode, but now has auto light control & steering wheel controls for the computer, audio & phone. The 2nd row & cargo, including doors & the trunk are pretty much the same although it still has no tonneau cover. I’d say, pretty much, it is the same LX sold in other countries.


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[sparc179]

So I was up in Sta. Rosa this afternoon & saw a 2019 Sportage on display (a first for me). It is a white LX. Exterior wise, I like the alloy wheels on this compared to my 2018 SL but it did not have fog lamps. Headlights on this & mine are the same projector type halogens & if there is one thing I hate about the Sportage is the poor headlights. It doesn’t adequately illuminate the portion closest to the front end & I’d normally turn the fogs on for precisely this purpose so I find it odd that the 2019 LX doesn’t have this (the 2017 does). Also, aside from the front & rear, there isn’t much of a difference from the 2018. Inside, there isn’t much difference in the cabin layout, but notable is the 8” touch screen audio which also functions for the back up camera (there are also front & rear parking sensors). It is still a sportronic tranny with drive mode & best of all, 8 speed (from 6). Controls are pretty much carried over from the preceeding, like the rheostat & drive mode, but now has auto light control & steering wheel controls for the computer, audio & phone. The 2nd row & cargo, including doors & the trunk are pretty much the same although it still has no tonneau cover. I’d say, pretty much, it is the same LX sold in other countries.


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Great! They're starting to show up. Thanks for the initial impressions sir Bloo.

Did the headlights look like this? Or exactly the same as your model?



The rims?




I didn't expect the LX variant to have the same infotainment screen as the EX model, that's a pleasant surprise, I hope they made it navigation ready.

8-speed transmission, woo-hoo! The EX variant is said to have paddle shifters as well, hehe.

[bloowolf]

^The headlights of the LX is the same as mine & the wheels are “17s. One thing I forgot to mention are the smallish steel spare tires. With it, you can use the extra space for storage & adjust the floor of the boot to have more space, something you can’t do with a full spare. I’d really give the 2017 GT-Line some thought though. Feature wise, the GT-Line has advanced dampers & more at a P75k difference. Honestly, I’m glad I do not have to make that decision, hehe.


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[sparc179]

^The headlights of the LX is the same as mine & the wheels are “17s. One thing I forgot to mention are the smallish steel spare tires. With it, you can use the extra space for storage & adjust the floor of the boot to have more space, something you can’t do with a full spare. I’d really give the 2017 GT-Line some thought though. Feature wise, the GT-Line has advanced dampers & more at a P75k difference. Honestly, I’m glad I do not have to make that decision, hehe.


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Hahaha, I know what you mean sir Bloo, this is a major decision for me on so many levels because I may have to live with this choice for a minimum of 10 years before I can afford to buy another new car again. My Toyota has been with me for close to 15 years already, although I alternated that with the company car I was given, so hindi sya gaano nagamit for more than a few years.

This time it's different though, I have my own business and if I get the Sporty, it will be my new workhorse, mobile office, weekend getaway vehicle, truck, jeep, soft off-roader and all-around pang hatid-sundo.

From what the SA told me, the EX variant is basically a re-badged GT model, albeit without the logos. 19-inch rims, including the spare, better suspension, safety features, etc. I'm hoping that's not just sales talk.

[bloowolf]

Based on the brochure of both, there isn’t much of a difference. I know the GT Line has a better suspension but the uncoated diamond cut wheels tend to corrode unlike the EX, which is coated. The 8 speed tranny will be a factor since you will be keeping the car for 10 or more years & by then, the 6 speeder will be outdated. & who knows, they might have minor tweaks put in we are not privy too. Although I’m torn between the 2 & maybe because I own the “old face”, for P75 grand more, I’d go for the EX.
I’ve never driven an 8 speeder in my life btw, so I can’t make any valid comparo.

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[sparc179]

Based on the brochure of both, there isn’t much of a difference. I know the GT Line has a better suspension but the uncoated diamond cut wheels tend to corrode unlike the EX, which is coated. The 8 speed tranny will be a factor since you will be keeping the car for 10 or more years & by then, the 6 speeder will be outdated. & who knows, they might have minor tweaks put in we are not privy too. Although I’m torn between the 2 & maybe because I own the “old face”, for P75 grand more, I’d go for the EX.
I’ve never driven an 8 speeder in my life btw, so I can’t make any valid comparo.

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I've never driven an 8-speed either, so that will be a new experience for me as well. I didn't know about the diamond cut mags of the 2018 model. It seems my research is not thorough enough. Thanks for that insight sir Bloo.

Right now, I'm just glad I've narrowed my choices down to the Sporty or the Forester, but for all practical purposes; foreseeing maintenance costs, fuel efficiency, engine durability, parts availability and over-all reliability, the Sporty is the front-runner. Just a matter of the test drive and getting the best deal they'll offer me.

I've contacted 4 dealerships already. hehehe.

[minicarph]

I've never driven an 8-speed either, so that will be a new experience for me as well. I didn't know about the diamond cut mags of the 2018 model. It seems my research is not thorough enough. Thanks for that insight sir Bloo.

Right now, I'm just glad I've narrowed my choices down to the Sporty or the Forester, but for all practical purposes; foreseeing maintenance costs, fuel efficiency, engine durability, parts availability and over-all reliability, the Sporty is the front-runner. Just a matter of the test drive and getting the best deal they'll offer me.

I've contacted 4 dealerships already. hehehe.

Bat di na lang Montero Sporty

[sparc179]

Bat di na lang Montero Sporty

Sasagutin ko ulit kahit sinagot ko na nuon pa. Hindi po kakasya sa garahe namin kasama 4 pa na sasakyan.

Isa pa, hindi po namin kailangan ang 7-seater. PPVs are not shortlisted.

Ok na?

[Egan101]

Sasagutin ko ulit kahit sinagot ko na nuon pa. Hindi po kakasya sa garahe namin kasama 4 pa na sasakyan.

Isa pa, hindi po namin kailangan ang 7-seater. PPVs are not shortlisted.

Ok na?

Wag ka maniwala kay OB. He is quick to suggest a Monty but he was asked if he would buy one, he answered saying he will buy a Fortuner instead. Hehehehe

[bloowolf]

Sasagutin ko ulit kahit sinagot ko na nuon pa. Hindi po kakasya sa garahe namin kasama 4 pa na sasakyan.

Isa pa, hindi po namin kailangan ang 7-seater. PPVs are not shortlisted.

Ok na?

Baka pabilhin ka pa ng bagong bahay para kumasya yung Monteyrow.


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[Egan101]

I've never driven an 8-speed either, so that will be a new experience for me as well. I didn't know about the diamond cut mags of the 2018 model. It seems my research is not thorough enough. Thanks for that insight sir Bloo.

Right now, I'm just glad I've narrowed my choices down to the Sporty or the Forester, but for all practical purposes; foreseeing maintenance costs, fuel efficiency, engine durability, parts availability and over-all reliability, the Sporty is the front-runner. Just a matter of the test drive and getting the best deal they'll offer me.

I've contacted 4 dealerships already. hehehe.

I don't question the reliability of Kia as our family's 2010 Sorento is still in good running shape but I wouldn't say that a Forester fares less than a Sportage in terms of the criteria above. If market share and numbers alone, there are more previous gen Foresters (2013-2018) on the road compared to the 3rd gen (2010-2015) and current gen Sportage. If there is a bigger market presence, there is better availability for parts and service.

In terms of performance, a diesel Sportage will outpace a non-turbo Forester but the Forester has the advantage of grip due to its AWD platform. If we are talking about the turbo Forester, well it's a no contest in terms of pace or speed. Our Sorento offers a better ride than any of the PPVs but it is nowhere as agile and nimble as our Forester.

[sparc179]

I don't question the reliability of Kia as our family's 2010 Sorento is still in good running shape but I wouldn't say that a Forester fares less than a Sportage in terms of the criteria above. If market share and numbers alone, there are more previous gen Foresters (2013-2018) on the road compared to the 3rd gen (2010-2015) and current gen Sportage. If there is a bigger market presence, there is better availability for parts and service.

In terms of performance, a diesel Sportage will outpace a non-turbo Forester but the Forester has the advantage of grip due to its AWD platform. If we are talking about the turbo Forester, well it's a no contest in terms of pace or speed. Our Sorento offers a better ride than any of the PPVs but it is nowhere as agile and nimble as our Forester.

I agree with you on most points raised Master E, personally it boils down to maintenance costs and fuel efficiency along with the other criteria I forgot to mention, mainly Fuel Cost, although I do see Diesel prices at almost the same as gasoline in some places, still a diesel engine is admittedly more efficient than a gasoline power-plant.

Also, I was comparing the Sporty with the current-gen Fozzie L-Variant non-turbo which is what I shortlisted. I actually doubt if I'll ever go past 120 KpH since I will often be travelling with my family and they are the primary consideration in every decision I make right now. I would have wanted the safety features of the new Fozzie (i.e. Eyesight, blind spot detection, etc.)
But alas, costs spread over a decade and I begin to see the long picture.

I'm still considering either of the two though, haven't completely decided yet.

Thanks again for the great input.

[bloowolf]

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