2019 Kia Sportage test drive

[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8 speed tranny will be a factor since you will be keeping the car for 10 or more years & by then, the 6 speeder will be outdated.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]

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.

[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

[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]

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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[sparc179]

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


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Nyahahaha. Malamang sir. Oh-LoL naman ako.

[minicarph]

Hinde naman auto fold mirror yan sportsge , so mas kakasya pa Montero sa garahe kasi isang pindot lang , you canxsqueeze in na. Mas narrow pa ang mga PPV kaysa sa mga korean crossovers. I got a santa fe mas lapad pa ngaun sa wildtrak ko

[bloowolf]

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[sparc179]

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Woohoo! Punta tayo MIAS!

[bloowolf]

I am actually going later with the family


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[sparc179]

I am actually going later with the family


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Please let us know if they displayed the EX (TOTL) variant sir Bloo.

Time's like these are when I wished we lived a little bit closer to NCR. Not always though, one never misses the traffic congestion.

[bloowolf]

This is a bit perplexing. They have a displayed unit they claim is the top of the line EX Sportage. Refer to the pictures below.
I asked them “are you sure this is the EX? Because as I remember, the GT-Line is the top variant.” They said “yes sir, this is the EX.”
I remember the GT line having LED fog lamps, different from the projector beam lights of the EX.
If this is the case, then you are a lucky guy if this is the unit you get to take home. It even has a P30k discount.
FYI, you can test drive it on site & even purchase the car there.
More pictures:









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[sparc179]

Thanks for the update and the pix sir Bloo. Those are basically the same pictures the SA sent me, it also had GT-Line badges. I even asked her about it and she reiterated that it was the EX variant. Nice looking enough for me, although that is secondary to the features and specs I'm more interested in.

It's too bad we have a family gathering tomorrow, otherwise I would be on my way there early in the morning just to avoid the traffic and get a good parking spot.

30K Discount seems small though. I think I can hold out for more.

It's now just a matter of test driving the demo unit and finding the right dealer to give me the best deal. hehehe.

[bloowolf]

I think they corrected themselves with regards to the Sportage EX.



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[sparc179]

That's probably true sir Bloo.

Another agent I spoke to earlier said the same thing they told you, that GT-Line variant is the EX model. The only difference being that the original GT had a sunroof and was AWD.

This time, no glass roof and only 2 x 4.

That suits me just fine, I never wanted a sunroof in the first place, not for the Philippines anyway.