GT-Line a deserving farewell to Kia Sportage

Going through the history of the Kia Sportage, one simply cannot help but wonder whether the brand purposefully opted for a safe approach when it introduced the now departing fourth generation in 2015.

Change of plan

As much the second generation completely differed from the original, the third, which became the poster child for Peter Schreyer’s tiger nose styling language, took an even greater leap forward, not only outside, but also inside as the Korean brand shifted its focus towards the segment’s premium end.

While Sportage the third arguably rates as the iteration that still looks modern today in spite of having left production six years ago, the follow-up fourth departed from the radical transformation approach Kia had seemingly adopted.

ALSO READ: Kia Sportage given proper send-off with limited-run GT-Line

Instead, the internally codenamed QL Sportage simply appeared to be a facelift of the preceding SL instead of a new model. At a time when the segment it competed in exploded, the QL, in South Africa at least, didn’t achieve the following the SL did.

The reveal of the all-new Sportage last year though signalled a return to the nameplate’s past as the NQ5 dramatically differed in every single way possible.

Before its arrival later this year however, and as a send-off to the QL, Kia unveiled the GT-Line as a fully equipped Sportage with a few sporty touches.

GT and red

On first glance, the GT-Line trim pieces do an impressive job of sprucing the Sportage up, aided by the striking Infra Red paint option KD 83 VG GP arrived in.

Externally, they comprise LED headlights, satin silver front and rear skidplates, oval-tipped dual exhaust outlets, model specific front and rear bumpers and very sporty 19-inch GT-Line alloy wheels.

The sportiness is more restrained inside where the GT-Line focuses more on luxury and specification than all round performance… in theory.

While the tone-tone black/white faux leather upholstery is likely to prove a challenge keeping clean, the rest of the admittedly dated looking interior largely impresses. Despite the odd scratchy surface, the materials used are soft and upmarket with the seats being especially comfortable.

How “everything” is everything?

Unique to the GT-Line is a grippy leather-wrapped, flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel and a small but easy make-out 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display.

The clearest sign of the Sportage’s age is the largely button depended centre console, surrounded by piano-key black inserts that will, like the seats, present a challenge keeping clean.

Integrated into the dash is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While easy to use and understand, it remains hobbled by dated looking graphics and readouts that have become unfortunate traits of recent Hyundai and Kia models.

Where the Sportage GT-Line starts to fight back in justifying its rather heady R663 995 price tag, is the level of standard equipment. Simply put, Kia has thrown everything it has, bar embedded satellite navigation, into it.

Included is dual-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, heated front and rear seats with the driver’s chair being electric and equipped with lumbar support, folding electric mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, push-button start, a reverse camera, keyless entry and an electric tailgate.

On top of this, Kia has also furnished the GT-Line with cruise control, Hill Start Assist, a panoramic sunroof and a very ear pleasing six-speaker sound system.

The practical side is taken care off with distinction. Despite the glass roof, rear headroom has not been impacted at all with legroom being more than simply generous.

Opening the tailgate reveals a 466-littre boot, although flipping the seats forward releases an extra 1 000-litres of space. A further bonus is the full-size 19-inch spare located beneath the boot board.

Power play

The star of the Sportage GT-Line though is its engine. Despite being the familiar Hyundai/Kia 1.6 T-GDI petrol, the 130kW/265Nm it produces leaves an instant smile the moment when setting off.

While some 20 kW down on most models utilising the engine, the unit’s strong and instant delivery from low-down is noteworthy, together with its apparent inability to relent any go as the revs climb.

Eager to impress from the start, the engine makes the Sportage GT-Line feel more powerful than it actually is and capable of accelerating faster from 0-100 km/h than the 9.1 seconds Kia claims.

The sensation is further heightened when the drive mode selector is switched to Sport mode, which doesn’t overpower the front wheels as the GT-Line’s grunt is channelled to four corners.

Entrusted with this is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which, while largely slick and fast in Drive or manual models, exhibits a drag sensation when setting off in first gear. Opting for the gear shift paddles alleviates this to an extent, as well as upping the level of engagement.

Dynamically, the GT-Line, while no hot hatch, never mind its 1.6 metre height, feels planted with just enough feedback from the steering, as well as loads of grip.

You need to stop

Unsurprisingly, the ride is on the firm side as a result of those 19-inch wheels, a feature that becomes painfully obvious when faced with anything but smooth tar.

In spite of the suspension being unaltered, less well paved surfaces resulted in the GT-Line “hitting through” when presented with imperfections. While welcomed, the inclusion of a diff-lock raised a few eyebrows as its use will likely to be limited if used at all.

The most troubling aspect of the GT-Line though is its brakes. Like in the Hyundai Santa Fe, the pedal travel is far too long and the feeling on the numb side when you suddenly apply them.

As for fuel consumption, the seven days and 480 km in mixed conditions returned an indicated best of 8.7 L/100 km, a figure hard to judge as Kia doesn’t provide consumption claims.

Conclusion

While it has, to an extent, come to grieve since its debut, the GT-Line applique has been to the Kia Sportage’s benefit.

Though pricey on paper, it backs its sticker up by featuring a loaded specification sheet wrapped-up in a spacious cocoon that doesn’t mind unleashing itself with vigour when asked. Indeed, a final encore worth savouring.