Mat’s Car of the Day: the Kia Sportage is a car I can recommend to pretty much anyone
Car changing is a big deal
The Kia Sportage is spacious, good to drive and well-equipped. Some Chinese offerings may be better value, but the Kia is a safe pair of hands for your next family car.
People often ask me to recommend them a new family car, and the Kia Sportage is always one of the first SUVs which pops into my head. It’s not all that exciting, but it’s a solid, dependable car with a long warranty and lot’s of space inside.
There are also some great deals available through Carwow right now which make the Sportage look even more tempting – even next to some Chinese cars.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Kia Sportage prices and deals: why it’s important to shop around
On paper, the Kia Sportage can’t quite match a Jaecoo 7 in terms of value for money. It starts from just over £31,000 with a petrol engine, whereas the Jaecoo costs £29,210 with a hybrid system under the bonnet.
However, you can save an average of more than £3,300 on a new Sportage through Carwow, depending on the trim level you pick. That brings the starting price under £29,000, but the best deal I’ve found is on the Storm hybrid model.
It comes with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a Harman Kardon sound system, artificial suede seat upholstery and adaptive cruise control. Usually, this car would cost you almost £38,000. Through Carwow, you can get it for as little as £31,800 at the time of writing when you buy using PCP finance.
A Jaecoo 7 with the same amount of standard equipment costs £30,600 on Carwow right now, but there are a few reasons I’d consider spending the extra £1,200.
Three good things about the Kia Sportage
1. It’s nicer to drive
Family SUVs like this don’t need to handle like sports cars, but the Sportage is more comfortable over bumps than the Jaecoo and it’s quieter on the motorway as well. It also feels more secure through the bends, which may not be important to everyone but it inspires confidence on a twisty road and makes a road trip through the countryside more relaxing.
2. It has a bigger boot
Both the Sportage and the Jaecoo 7 offer similarly generous rear seat space, but the Kia’s boot is much larger. It can hold 591 litres in total, whereas the Jaecoo has a 500-litre boot.
3. The interior is more user-friendly
The Jaecoo 7 uses the large central touchscreen to control pretty much everything. It’s not too bad thanks to the logical menu layouts, but the Kia Sportage has physical buttons for things like the climate control. It makes it easier to use on the move.
Three annoying things about the Kia Sportage
The Sportage may be a great all-rounder, but in some areas there are alternatives which beat it. Here are three annoying things to consider before buying.
1. The interior is a bit drab
The cabin may be user-friendly, but it doesn’t look as premium as the Jaecoo 7’s. All the plastics are a bit dark and dreary, and the material quality, while solid, isn’t quite as plush-feeling.
2. Other hybrid cars are more efficient
Hybrid versions of the Sportage will do 50mpg according to official tests, but in reality you’ll see closer to 40mpg. If you’re after the most economical hybrid SUV, we averaged 56mpg in a hybrid Renault Symbioz.
3. Tempting used alternatives
For around £30,000, there are a few premium used alternatives you could consider. An Audi Q5 from 2021 has a more luxurious interior than the Kia, while a 2022 BMW X3 is more fun to drive. You do take the risk of a car with no more warranty, but you do get more for your money.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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