Rumors suggest the car is destined for production in a more refined version to do battle with graceful sedans and hatchbacks like with names like Porsche Panamera, Audi A7, and founder of the four-door coupe genre, the Mercedes-BenzCLS, but with a much more sedate pricing.  Elements of Kia design shine through on the model with a Kia family style grille.

Dimensions indicate the GT is likely built on the family’s Hyundai Genesis and Genesis Coupe underpinnings. Under the hood is a new turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 (390-hp) with new 8-speed automatic transmission, which debuted recently in the larger Hyundai Genesis and Equus sedans.

Back stage talk says, the GT will have a direct influence on a future flagship likely soon from the Korean automaker.   The GT design, which has hints of Audi A7 design, comes from the team of Kia design chief, German Peter Schreyer, who was one time an Audi designer and adds fuel to the rumors that Kia is headed upscale. Schreyer said in his closing remarks about the GT at Frankfurt, “It may be a dream now, but sometimes dreams come true.” 

Santa Fe, NM – One vehicle category we’ve come to enjoy for travel is the group of compact to mid-size SUVs, crossovers and similar vehicles.  In general, this group offers roomy interiors, comfortable rides, reasonable fuel economy and on occasion, the advantage of having all-wheel drive for occasional adverse weather or for exploring back roads.

On a recent trip to one of our favorite vacation locations, Santa Fe, NM we borrowed the compact Kia Sportage SUV.

Kia was actually one of the leaders of the compact SUV movement in the United States when they introduced the original Sportage in 1993, more than three years before the first Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4.

Moving into the third generation with the introduction of the 2011 Sportage, the sophisticated new CUV (compact utility vehicle) is a perfect illustration of how far this brand has come in less than two decades and it is a bellwether to the company’s future.

A product of Kia’s U.S.-based design center in Irvine, Calif., the Sportage takes strong cues from the Kue concept vehicle from 2007.  Starting from the signature Kia grill and composed of muscular lines, the Sportage has a look that reminds us of Samurai art.  The bodylines have strong dimensions, especially seen in the sculpted hood and pronounced wheel arches.  A surprisingly wide C-pillar, which creates a unique side silhouette, anchors the sweeping roofline but also hampers rear visibility a little.

New from the ground up, the Sportage was developed on a unibody frame with fully independent front and rear suspensions, which are more oriented toward ride than handling.

A 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine powers the new Sportage, delivering 176-hp driving a six-speed manual transmission (base model only) or the Kia-designed six-speed automatic.   On other occasions, we have driven the Sportage at near sea level elevations and the engine provided good performance levels.  However, at the 7,000-foot levels around Santa Fe, the little engine can run out of steam.  We noticed this especially at highway speeds on hills.  That problem is easily solved however by the new SX model, which has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 260-hp.  We’ve since driven the SX at low elevations and it’s impressive.  It would be perfect in Santa Fe.

The standard drivetrain is front-wheel drive, with the new Dynamax™ all-wheel drive system as an option ($1,500).   Co-developed by Kia and Magna International, the Dynamax system drives the front wheels at 100 percent to maximize fuel economy.  When slippage is detected the system transfers power to the rear wheels as needed.  Dynamax can also be locked to distribute power evenly between the front and rear axles for better traction at speeds under 25 mph.

The Sportage is rated at 22 mpg for city driving and 28mpg for the highway.  With 0 to 60 mph acceleration time taking 9.8 seconds, we thought the power was about right for the average driver but lacked the performance to appeal to those wanting a vehicle for more spirited driving.  The turbocharged version drops the 0 to 60 mph time to 7.3 seconds with EPA fuel economy estimates of 21/25 mpg.

Sportage arrives with three trim levels – base, LX and EX, with base level pricing starting at $19,300, including the destination charge.  The EX AWD pricing starts at $26,200 and can go to $30,000 when outfitted with the Premium Package, navigation system with rear view camera and a couple of other available options.  Fully equipped, the Sportage sports a panoramic sunroof, premium Infinity audio system, backup sensors, leather seating with heated front seats and a cooled driver’s seat.

Sportage is the first Kia to be equipped with the new UVO hands-free in-car communications system powered by Microsoft.  The system is the Kia version of the Ford Sync system, which enables drivers and passengers to place phone calls, receive and respond to SMS text messages, access music from several sources and create custom music programs.  Sirius® Satellite Radio is standard and the new HD Radio® is available.

A bit larger and more spacious than the previous generation, the new Sportage projects the look of quality – from the materials used in the interior to the solid tactile feel of the controls.  With the interesting styling, level of quality and exceptional value, we think the Sportage is a new leader in the compact SUV niche.

The Sportage was a great car for our vacation travel and would be an easy vehicle to live with on an everyday basis.  Our inclination would be to go for the turbocharged SX, but most drivers would be very happy with the standard engine.

The expansion project is expected to be completed in 2012.  The company has already hired 1,000 additional workers to staff a third shift.  That brings the West Point workforce total to 3,000 workers.

The $1 billion plant started production only 18 months ago producing the Kia Sorento SUV, and then soon added Kia Optima midsize sedan and the Hyundai Santa Fe crossover, which shares its platform with the Optima.

It doesn’t do anything differently than other vehicle. It doesn’t have a joystick drive system and it doesn’t read your thoughts and suggest radio stations you might like. It’s actually quite regular. But it does everything so effortlessly; driving becomes a calming, Zen experience.

At first glance, nothing really has changed on the Turbo model. Kia hasn’t fitted it with a wing, louvers, or skirting. The seats aren’t any sportier and the springs weren’t stiffened and therefore won’t fuse your spine together. It’s simply peppier but not obnoxiously so.

When some manufacturers fit a Turbo to a pre-existing model, a lot of the time they also fit lunacy to it as well and destroy the driving enjoyment (aside from hard acceleration). Kia hasn’t done that.

The Sportage Turbo isn’t a rocket ship. It’s delightfully quick but you won’t be passing Mitsubishi Evolutions on the rally course. You will, however, be able to merge into freeway-speed traffic without a second thought.

During the week I had the Sportage Turbo, I was moving across town. So aside from my truck, I used the Sportage to haul a few things. To my surprise, the back doors are big enough to easily fit a large moving box. The back end, too, was quite roomy.

Like all Kias, the Bluetooth virtually set itself up and the climate control was flawless. The Sportage I had was fitted with a panoramic moonroof, which made a rare sunny Portland day even more enjoyable. And the rear-view camera (which should be mandatory with all new cars) made paralleling painless.

The one detraction to the turbonic addition is the drop in miles per gallon. I averaged around 16 mpg and I really tried to keep my foot out of it. Ideally, I’d like to see at least mid-20s from a car as seemingly aerodynamic as the Sportage.

All well rounded features aside, the driving experience of the Sportage Turbo alone stood out. Driving the Sportage was second nature. I never wanted for more headroom. I never cursed a gutless motor. I never grimaced with fear during sudden braking. It all worked well–so well in fact that I never thought about it. I simply drove. I cannot remember the last time I drove a car that didn’t have me thinking, worrying, or cursing at some point. I was at one with the Sportage Turbo. And I loved every minute of it.

The Sportage Turbo won’t win beauty contests. It won’t set anyone’s heart afire. But it will never disappoint. You will never wish you had gotten something else because it is such a damned treat to drive.

Expanding on recent design success like the Soul, Sorento, Sportage and the Forte Koup, the KV7 takes a functional approach to a mobile gathering space by taking the concept beyond mere transportation.   With a single gull wing door on the passenger side opening to a spacious and adaptable interior space the KV7 becomes a great space for friends to gather, as well as go places and carry things.

The design is more box-like than swoopy expanding on the lines of the popular Soul.

“From the outset, we felt the category was in need of an honest reassessment due to the fact that everyone seems so desperate to attach the word ‘sporty’ to their minivan, even though vans, at their very core are simply a box,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Motors America. “Rather than reject the box we chose to celebrate it, just like we did with the Soul, and the result is a straightforward yet sophisticated vehicle that retains the functionality vans are known for and meets the changing and diverse needs of today’s consumers.”

The wide stance, vertical windshield design, smooth exterior and 20-inch wheels combine to give the KV7 a confident look.  The concept’s most striking feature is its passenger-side gullwing door, which creates a massive point-of-entry to the lounge-like interior when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door.

The modified Kia tab grille look is centered between a pair of vertical LED headlamps.  The KV7 uses multiple LED lighting elements in the design as a way for the design team to evaluate use on other future products.  The applications include a continuous line of LED fog lights that span the entire front end of the vehicle and directional turn indicators on the outside mirrors and the rear of the vehicle that pulse in the direction being signaled.

The KV7 concept’s distinctive windshield follows the unique designs found on the new Sportage CUV and Optima midsize sedan, and a series of near-continuous windows starting at the A-pillar provide uninterrupted views of a day at the beach or a night out on the town. And despite its non-traditional look, the KV7’s length (191.85 in.), width (80.0 in.) and wheelbase (122.0 in.) are consistent with the van segment and allow flexible seating configurations and a multitude of storage options.

In the process of rethinking what a van’s exterior appearance and image, Kia’s Southern California design team also envisioned an interior to meet the needs of an entirely new group of consumers – a group of people referred to as “Ringleaders.” Rather than using a van to transport children and their accompaniments, Ringleaders are busy organizing road trips, social outings and new adventures for themselves and their friends to experience together. As such, the KV7 concept’s interior employs four custom-built swiveling seats, including the driver’s seat, and a rear-corner mini-lounge with seating for three and integrated storage compartments to promote interaction in an open social environment.

When the KV7 concept’s push button start is engaged, the entire front dash moves more than six inches toward the driver, bringing all controls within easy reach, including the large multi-use display, which integrates infotainment, climate and navigation systems in one simple-to-use interface controlled by a trackball mouse mounted in the dash. Rear passengers have their own, separate interface in the form of a floating tabletop touch-screen computer display. The KV7 is Wi-Fi enabled, providing both the front and rear displays with Internet capabilities and the ability for multiple passengers to connect their smartphones to the vehicle at one time and sign on to social networking sites.

Building on the experimental use of LED lighting elements found on the exterior, the KV7’s concept’s interior also features multiple flush-to-the-floor accent illumination points and standout green LED lighting throughout the front dash, instrument panel and rear display area to compliment the vehicle’s color palette.

The KV7 concept is powered by Kia’s new Theta II 2.0-liter GDI turbocharged engine, which is capable of delivering up to 285 horsepower, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.  The pair combines to deliver V-6-like power and performance while achieving better than 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

On one hand it was a gutsy move for Kia to offer the new mid-size Optima sedan without an optional V-6 engine, on the other hand it was visionary.  The Toyota Camry has a six-cylinder option, so does the Honda Accord, Ford Focus and all the other competitors in that midsize group.  (Okay, there is one exception, but it’s the Kia’s sibling, the Hyundai Sonata which uses the same engine as Kia.)

The base Optima engine is a 200-horsepower, 2.4-liter gas direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder which is competitive with the other mid-size sedans.   The Optima is a little quicker (0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds) than other four-cylinder mid-level competitors and the fuel economy is an impressive 24 mpg city and 35 mpg on the highway.

The V-6 replacement is the Theta II, a 2.0-liter GDI using a twin-scroll turbocharger to produce 274-hp and 269-lb.ft of torque.  This is the first turbocharged Kia engine and the result is not the typical breathtaking response I have experienced from similar four-cylinder turbo engines used in cars like the Volkswagen/Audi or MazdaSpeed series.  Rather the Kia engine is more refined, but with less performance rush.  It is tuned to act more like a V-6 with strong performance, but no “Wow” factor.  It produced a very good 6.5-second 0 to 60 mph time and fuel economy nearly as good as the base model at 22 mpg/34 mpg.  That puts the Kia Turbo about in the middle of V-6 competitors in performance, but with a cheaper, lighter, much more efficient powerplant.

Two classic problems with turbocharged cars is turbo lag and torque steer.  The Kia engine has virtually no turbo lag and I had to turn the wheel and accelerate hard to get any hint of the torque steer that often affects many more powerful front-drive cars.  The turbo engine is only available with Kia’s six-speed automatic transmission, which comes with the Sportmatic® manual shifting mode.  The sporty SX model includes wheel mounted paddle shifters.

The turbo engine is available on both the mid-level EX and the sporty SX model.  The EX Turbo has a base price of $25,190 including the destination; that’s $2,000 more than the naturally aspired EX.  The sporty SX model is priced at $26,690, adding 18-inch low-profile tires, HID headlights, LED taillights, leather seating with woven trim and cosmetic enhancements.  Options for the SX include the Technology Package ($2,000) which adds navigation system, backup camera, premium audio and the Touring Package ($2,150) that includes panorama roof, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and some great looking wheels. For about $31,000 you get a very good-looking sport sedan wOne of the major appeals of the new Optima is the excellent exterior and interior design which has won high praise from most of the automotive press.  Pictures of the Optima show a stylish sedan with sweeping roof and high beltline, but it is actually much better looking in person.

The same goes for the interior, which looks busy and cluttered in photos, but once inside, the driver finds well defined work spaces for the various control systems, stitched trim panels and distinctive contemporary styling.

I think Kia is right on target with the Optima turbo, as long as potential buyers don’t go in thinking they are buying a turbocharged racer.  It is a great looking, fun-to-drive sedan with good power and fuel economy, a spacious comfortable interior and it is one of the best values in the middle sedan market.

Barbara –

Styled in Kia’s Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, Calif. design studios, the Optima is not the product of cookie cutter design, it is fresh and sleek with a well-toned muscular silhouette.  The grille is unmistakable Kia with the bold tabbed family grille book-ended by projector headlights.  And on top of it all, it has one of those swooping four-door coupe rooflines that are such a rage.

Bill – My driving partner and I were taking photos of the Optima in front of a winery in the San Pasqual Valley wine region north of San Diego, when we saw a guy carrying a case of wine out of the tasting room.  He put the wine in the back of his car, then walked over to us and said, “That’s a Kia?  WOW! I would have never guessed.”  I couldn’t agree more, it is a head-turner.
After a spirited drive through the Southern California foothills, my ‘seat of the pants’ impression told me the beauty was more than skin deep.

Barbara – The interior isn’t as pretty as the exterior, but I give it top marks for function and organization.

As a charter member of Over Organizers Anonymous, I was impressed by how well the Optima cockpit is arranged with banks of associated controls gathered and well marked in a logical arrangement on the center stack, the door panels and on the steering wheel.  It’s one of the more intuitive organizations of car control systems I’ve seen.  It may even rival my kitchen, which my friends tell me is a work of art, but most of my friends are crazy.

For communications and entertainment, the Optima includes a standard panel on the lower center stack with two 12-volt charge outlets, a USB port and a plug for MP3 players – this appears to be something all the Kias are getting now.  A Bluetooth® wireless link is also standard on all models and includes steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls to easily access cell phones.

Bill – Built on an all new unibody platform with front-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension, the Optima shares mechanicals with its popular cousin the Hyundai Sonata.

Kia is phasing in three distinctive propulsion systems for the Optima.  The standard engine, which most people will buy, is a 200-horsepower, 2.4-liter gas direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder.  Rated at a class leading 200-hp, the Optima is a little quicker (0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds) than other four-cylinder mid-level competitors like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.  Fuel economy is an impressive 24 mpg city and 35 mpg on the highway.

In a surprising move, Kia decided not to outfit the upper level Optimas with a V-6 engine, rather they are offering a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged power plant, that will be available early in 2011.  The turbo bumps the horsepower by 74 and torque by 83-lb.ft. and it cuts the 0 to 60 mph time to an estimated 6.9 seconds with only a slight dip in fuel economy to 22/34 mpg.

The third propulsion option set to be available early in 2011 is Kia’s first hybrid. Capable of an estimated 40 mpg, the Kia Hybrid takes a different approach than competitors.  It is a full parallel hybrid system that can be driven up to 62 mph in the electric mode, briefly.  It uses a new lightweight lithium polymer battery and a unique Transmission-Mounted-Electric-Drive (TMED) layout.

The base model with the GDI engine is available with a smooth shifting six-speed manual transmission, however all other models, including the Hybrid, will have a smooth six-speed automatic with a manual shift mode.  The turbo versions will also get wheel-mounted shift paddles.

Barbara – All three Optima trim levels, LX, EX and SX, have abundance of standard features including air conditioning, power windows, keyless entry, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a cooling glove box.  All models also include AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SIRIUS® Satellite Radio and a long list of safety features including stability control and hill start assist.

The Optima pricing starts at $18,995 for the LX with manual transmission; that is just $305 more than the previous generation base model.  For lease customers, ALG (Automotive Lease Guide) has assigned a residual value of 53-percent of the 2011 original MSRP for 36 months of ownership.  That’s a 66 improvement over the previous generation and a strong indicator of how the car should hold its value.

The EX starts at $22,495 adding leather seating, 17-inch alloy wheels and several more convenience features.  The turbocharged engine adds $2,000 and several more performance and cosmetic upgrades.

The top-of-the-line SX starts at $25,995 adding an even higher feature level including 18-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, unique lower body trim, HID head lights, LED tail lights, black leather and woven seat trim, Supervision™ meter cluster, steering wheel paddle shifters, carbon fiber interior trim, metal pedals, and illuminated door scuff plates.  Wow!  That’s quite a package.

Bill – A great deal of the impression a car gives comes from the way it feels and the sounds it makes.  The Kia Optima feels good with a firm solid ride, the steering is light and precise with a good road feel. There is a little under steer, but that’s typical of front wheel drive vehicles.  Another added bonus for me is the solid “thud” the doors make when closing.

The buttons, dials, stalks and other controls have a smooth, positive action with a quality feel – in other words, they don’t feel cheap.

Barbara – I have to give the Kia planners high marks for getting all my, mostly small, but important, features integrated into the new Optima. This includes an overhead passenger assist handle for me grab when Bill does something I think might be dumb. I also appreciate the extensions on the visors that help block the sun.  The drink holders are well positioned, and I especially like the ones in the doors.  And then there is my favor option, the heated front seats.  I am also a big fan of the optional navigation system which includes something I think every car should have – a rear view camera.

On the down side, I’d like to see a blind spot warning system to give me that extra security when I plan to change lanes, and I’d also like an active cruise control system, but that’s probably too much to ask for on a vehicle with a sub $30,000 sticker.

Kia has done a great job of getting the Optima right.  The styling, performance, value and attention to detail make it one of my favorites.

Bill – The Optima is a complete package of styling, comfort, quality and performance that moves it a step ahead of some very strong competitors.  I am anxious to spend more time in all the models, and especially the upcoming turbo and hybrid versions.  I will report back when we’ve had more time behind the wheel of this exciting new Kia.

In late 2009, about six months after the introduction of the new Forte, Kia rolled out a two-door coupe version of the Forte, called the Koup (which I understand is a marriage of words Kia and coupe).  Because it wasn’t available in the press fleet, I didn’t pay much attention to the little coupe until several months later when I had a chance to drive it at a media event sponsored by one of our auto writer groups.

Not knowing what to expect from the stylish coupe, I was surprised by how much fun I had running it around the Mazda Laguna Seca racetrack.  Powered by the larger of two available four-cylinder engines, the Koup didn’t run up to the three digit speeds I saw on some of the faster cars, but I did see 90 mph on one of the longer straight stretches.

In the corners, the Koup was solid, staying nearly flat with a predictable front-wheel drive demeanor — slightly muted steering with a tad of understeer.  Nevertheless, it had a light agile feel that’s even comfortable being thrown around a little more than the average owner might do.

The Koup comes in two trim levels, EX and SX, each with its own engine.  The base EX has a 156-horsepower, 2.0-liter Double Overhead Cam four-cylinder with Continuously Variable Valve Timing and the SX uses a 173-hp 2.4-liter version with DOHC and CVVT.  A five-speed manual transmission is the standard with EX, while the SX gets a six-speed manual.  A thousand dollars buys an optional automatic transmission with manual shift gate in either model, which means a four-speed automatic for the EX and a five-speed in the SX.

I recently drove the SX with six-speed manual transmission.  While the shift linkage and clutch work well together, both need some work before they are as precise as the systems in the Honda Civic or the Mazda3.

The 2.0-liter engine gets an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with either transmission, while the 2.4-liter is rated at 22/32 mpg with the six-speed manual and 23/31 mpg with the five-speed automatic.  Driving the 2.4-liter with manual transmission in combined conditions for a week, I averaged 28.9 mpg.

Kia 0 to 60 mph acceleration times are pinned at 8.3 seconds for the SX and about a second longer for the EX.  The 2.0-liter GDI turbo (274-hp) offered in the new Kia Optima sedan would make a nice future edition to the Koup making it a good competitor for the MazdaSpeed3.

However, the feature that attracts the most attention to the Koup is the head turning styling.  The basic shape is similar to its two main competitors, the Honda Civic and the last generation Scion tC.  The styling gives the car a well-balanced stance and resembles the trim muscles of a well-conditioned athlete.  The dual chrome exhaust outlets and 17-inch alloy wheels and tires intensify the performance persona.  Even though the Koup bears the same Forte name as the sedan, the hood is the only interchangeable body part between the two models.

The interior is contemporary with an attractive large three-pod instrument cluster resembling something from a motorcycle, but then there is another visor covering the entire grouping that looks more like an afterthought than an integral part of the design.  The center stack layout is clean and well-organized with large buttons and dials. To add an extra touch of sportiness, the SX pedals are in metal trim.

Former Audi designer, Peter Schreyer, and his team created the stylish Koup which ended up being bellwether for later stylish new Kia products including the Soul, Sportage and Optima.

Like all Kia’s the Forte Koup is very well outfitted with a car load of standard features like alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows, keyless entry, Bluetooth and audio system with satellite radio.  Both models are equipped with stability control, traction control and several braking assists that we don’t normally see as standard equipment on cars in this price range.

Koup pricing starts at $17,290, including the destination charge, for the EX with manual transmission.  The top model SX with automatic transmission lists for $19,390, add the two major options, leather seating and moonroof and the price peaks at a very reasonable $20,990.

The Kia Forte Koup is something of a sleeper in the sporty segment, but worth a strong hard look and long test drive.  The outstanding value is further enhanced by Kias excellent 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle warranty and the 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

NWAPA

Imagine driving a very cool new car for a distance between 9 to 25 miles, getting out and then into another very cool car for another 9 to 25 mile leg and then repeating the same routine through 23 cars in a two day period.

Welcome to the 2010 NWAPA (Northwest Automotive Press Association) Run to the Sun held recently in western Washington.  After 23 cars and more than 450 miles of smiles, here are our quick impressions of the Kia Forte Koup.

NWAPA

Since opening four dealerships in the Portland, Ore. area in 1994, Kia has made gigantic strides in quality, quantity  of models and sales (the big one). With most of Kia’s emphasis on the economical sedans and wagon-style vehicles, we hear little about the Forte Koup (coupe).  In fact, since it was introduced at the 2009 New York auto show, we have had almost no drive time in it.  After quick drives at the “Run”, we were both surprised by how much we liked this little two-door.  It’s available in two models with two engines and three transmissions.  The “Run” car was the upper level SX with a 173-hp, 2.4-liter four cylinder driving the front wheels through the six-speed manual transmission.  The attractive Koup makes the 0 to 60 mph run in 8.3 seconds, which is no big deal, but the driving fun factor was an 8 or  9.  We are anxious to spend more time in this one.  Pricing starts at $17,290 for the EX with five-speed manual transmission and peaks at just over $21,000 for the SX with an automatic moonroof and leather seating.

See the other 22 “Run to the Sun” Cars here.

San Francisco –

Moving into the third generation with the introduction of the 2011 Sportage, the sophisticated new CUV (compact utility vehicle) is a perfect illustration of how far this brand has come in less than two decades and it is a bellwether to the company’s future.

A product of Kia’s U.S.-based design center in Irvine, Calif., the Sportage takes strong cues from the Kue concept vehicle from 2007.  Starting from the signature Kia grill and composed of muscular lines, the Sportage has a look that reminds us of Samurai art.  The bodylines have strong dimensions, especially seen in the sculpted hood and pronounced wheel arches.  A surprisingly wide C pillar, which creates a unique side silhouette, anchors the sweeping roofline but also hampers rear visibility a little.

New from the ground up, the Sportage was developed on a unibody frame with fully independent front and rear suspensions, which are more oriented toward ride than handling.

A 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine powers the new Sportage, delivering 176-hp driving a six-speed manual transmission (base model only) or the Kia-designed six-speed automatic. The standard drivetrain is front-wheel drive, with the new Dynamax™ all-wheel drive system as an option ($1,500).   Co-developed by Kia and Magna International, the Dynamax system drives the front wheels at 100 percent to maximize fuel economy.  When slippage is detected the system transfers power to the rear wheels as needed.  Dynamax can also be locked to distribute power evenly between the front and rear axles for better traction at speeds under 25 mph.

The Sportage is rated at 22 mpg for city driving and 31mpg for the highway.  With 0 to 60 mph acceleration time taking 10.2 seconds, we thought the power was about right for the average driver but lacked the performance to appeal to those wanting a vehicle for more spirited driving.  However, that type of driver will be rewarded later this year when plans call for the introduction of turbocharged four-cylinder option – probably the same a 274-hp, 2.0-liter from the 2011 Hyundai Sonata (and a new Kia Optima due later this year).  That engine is expected to get up to 34 mpg in the slightly heavier Sonata.

Sportage arrives with three trim levels – base, LX and EX, with base level pricing starting at $18,990, including the destination charge.  The EX AWD pricing starts at $25,490 and can go to $30,000 when outfitted with the Premium Package, navigation system with rear view camera and a couple of other available options.  Fully equipped, the Sportage sports a panoramic sunroof, premium Infinity audio system, backup sensors, leather seating with heated front seats and a cooled driver’s seat.

Sportage is the first Kia to be equipped with the new UVO hands-free in-car communications system powered by Microsoft.  The system is the Kia version of the Ford Sync system, which enables drivers and passengers to place phone calls, receive and respond to SMS text messages, access music from several sources and create custom music programs.  Sirius® Satellite Radio is standard and the new HD Radio® is available.

A bit larger and more spacious than the previous generation, the new Sportage projects the look of quality – from the materials used in the interior to the solid tactile feel of the controls.  With the interesting styling, level of quality and exceptional value, we think the Sportage is a new leader in the compact SUV niche.