The Kia Sportage Diesel makes a straightforward argument: if you're doing enough kilometres to justify a diesel, the Sportage will save you money while looking good doing it.
The 2.0-litre R-series turbo diesel produces 135kW and a useful 392Nm. That torque figure means it responds well from low revs, which makes city driving easier than the numbers might suggest. Only a six-speed automatic is available with the diesel, which is the right choice.
Economy sits around 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle. For an SUV of this size, that's a competitive result.
The cabin is well presented. Kia has made serious improvements to interior quality over the past few years and the Sportage benefits from that effort. Materials are solid, the layout is logical and the touch-screen infotainment is responsive.
Ride quality is comfortable and the Sportage feels settled on the highway. It's not a performance vehicle but the diesel's torque makes overtaking relaxed.
The Kia warranty remains one of the best in the business. Combined with running costs lower than most petrol competitors, the Sportage Diesel represents genuine value.
