2019 Kia Sportage test drive

[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.

[bloowolf]

I think the sales people are still new. The GT Line badge, alloy brake & gas Pedal, D cut steering wheel, ice cube led fog lamps, 6 air bags, performance dampers and other tech touches are unique to the GT Line & distinguishes it from the lower variants. Sorry, but the reason I am aware of all these was because during the 3 month or so peroid I was waiting for my unit last year, I spent it watching videos, reading the online manual and apps & going to dealerships checking out the GT line they had on stock. I ended up knowing more about it than my SA then .


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[sparc179]

I think the sales people are still new. The GT Line badge, alloy brake & gas Pedal, D cut steering wheel, ice cube led fog lamps, 6 air bags, performance dampers and other tech touches are unique to the GT Line & distinguishes it from the lower variants. Sorry, but the reason I am aware of all these was because during the 3 month or so peroid I was waiting for my unit last year, I spent it watching videos, reading the online manual and apps & going to dealerships checking out the GT line they had on stock. I ended up knowing more about it than my SA then .


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Haha! Why am I not surprised then, you are currently the only online local authority on the Gen. 4 that I know of.

You probably know more about the variants than any of the current SAs they have sir.

Thanks again for your valuable insight and knowledge, it really helps make my decision easier.

[bloowolf]

I agree. There is an LX displayed in Sta. Rosa & you might want to look at to compare. Drive-wise, I don’t see much of a difference between the 2, both having the same 8 speed tranny, but the GT Line carries much much more which are useful in everyday driving.


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[bloowolf]

Since this is a test drive thread, it’s worth mentioning the Sportronic transmission. For one thing, when the transmission is shifted to MANUAL, the transmission is not in true manual mode. The car automatically downshifts when it feels the speed doesn’t match the Revs but will not upshift automatically. Personally, I would want to have more control of the shifting (like I would in a true manual tranny car) & not have the computer taking over most of the time. This is why I wouldn’t use the Sportronic transmission on normal daily drives, only when I want to play (very occasional). This is just me, I’m just not used to it.


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[sparc179]

Since this is a test drive thread, it’s worth mentioning the Sportronic transmission. For one thing, when the transmission is shifted to MANUAL, the transmission is not in true manual mode. The car automatically downshifts when it feels the speed doesn’t match the Revs but will not upshift automatically. Personally, I would want to have more control of the shifting (like I would in a true manual tranny car) & not have the computer taking over most of the time. This is why I wouldn’t use the Sportronic transmission on normal daily drives, only when I want to play (very occasional). This is just me, I’m just not used to it.


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I like to downshift even on my conventional auto tranny whenever I need to engage a steep incline or when going down a sharp decline as well so I can use the engine brake. It's safer and the transmission is able to keep up with the RPMs. A Sportronic tranny should be a nice thing to have in certain situations for sure.

Just this past weekend, we went down to Subic and I could see many other vehicles struggling with the inclines up TIPO highway and also braking way too much on the downward portions. Not many drivers today know what it's like to drive a Manual Transmission so the advantages of down-shifting is lost on them.

Sabi nga nila, if you want your car not to get stolen or even borrowed by the younger generation, get a manual tranny car. LoL.

[bloowolf]

I grew up driving manual & the Sportage is my first automatic, although I’ve driven other automatics before. I’ve used the Sportronic tranny in Normal mode going up Kennon Rd., more for control on the curves than anything else. I tried using it in Sport mode but quickly shifted back to normal since the car is more sensitive in Sport & Kennon is not the right road to experiment on. But even w/o engaging the Sportronic, it’s fully capable.


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[Egan101]

I grew up driving manual & the Sportage is my first automatic, although I’ve driven other automatics before. I’ve used the Sportronic tranny in Normal mode going up Kennon Rd., more for control on the curves than anything else. I tried using it in Sport mode but quickly shifted back to normal since the car is more sensitive in Sport & Kennon is not the right road to experiment on. But even w/o engaging the Sportronic, it’s fully capable.


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The Sportage is more than capable to go up Kennon. I have used a less powerful car going up Kennon and never had any problems. I didn’t even have to use the paddle shifters on that car.


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[Mecs]

When I test drove the car this past MIAS, I tried switching from normal to sport mode using the paddle shifters. I noticed that the engine was more responsive during normal mode. I was able to push it more and rev the rpm higher compared to sports mode which I find weird. I thought it would be the opposite. Any thoughts on this?

[bloowolf]

When I test drove the car this past MIAS, I tried switching from normal to sport mode using the paddle shifters. I noticed that the engine was more responsive during normal mode. I was able to push it more and rev the rpm higher compared to sports mode which I find weird. I thought it would be the opposite. Any thoughts on this?

My Sportage is not a GT-Line with paddle shifters, but based on what I do with the Sportronic tranny, you have to engage the Sport mode by pressing this button (Drive Mode) located below the gear shift. A yellow SPORT (other is ECO; NORMAL has no light) will light up on the dash, indicating that SPORT mode is now engaged. Only then will the engine tuning change. The accelerator is actually very sensitive in SPORT. Press to much & you can get wheel squeals.
In case you have an Apple gadget, you can download a free app on the Sportage detailing the features. Helps a lot.


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[bloowolf]

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[sparc179]

The 3 SAs I've spoken to can't seem to give me a firm date on when one will be available.

I've already indicated my intention to purchase a GT Line if all of my conditions are met, but it looks like the new management is still working out the kinks of their new acquisition.

Now comes news of Ayala Corps. many management mishaps, Manila Water, Globe and just recently BPI being offline for more than 48 hours.

People are losing money and patience. I myself am a former Ayala employee but this is not very encouraging.

What gives? Political jitters and uncertainty on the outcome of the coming elections?

Sorry if I am being off-topic, this is affecting my decision to purchase a new car this year.

[sparc179]

I learned something interesting yesterday when I visited the local dealership, they had an LX on display as well as a Stinger so I wanted to satisfy my curiosity.

The SA I spoke to says that a lot of Koreans are actually inquiring and are keenly interested in the 2019 version. It seems they've heard great things from their fellows in their homeland.

I just hope they won't be too disappointed with the absence of some of the features.

If they purchase a lot of them, that's good news for those of us with the new Gen. 4 versions as well I would think. More available parts, better servicing (with ACI at the helm), higher quality models and specs.

Fingers crossed.

[phil3199]

I learned something interesting yesterday when I visited the local dealership, they had an LX on display as well as a Stinger so I wanted to satisfy my curiosity.

The SA I spoke to says that a lot of Koreans are actually inquiring and are keenly interested in the 2019 version. It seems they've heard great things from their fellows in their homeland.

I just hope they won't be too disappointed with the absence of some of the features.

If they purchase a lot of them, that's good news for those of us with the new Gen. 4 versions as well I would think. More available parts, better servicing (with ACI at the helm), higher quality models and specs.

Fingers crossed.

San dealer to? I have already seen the GT Line at MIAS. I want to see if the GT Line is worth the additional 300k.