New Powertrain Tech Boosts Efficiency for 2014 Kia Sportage

The 2014 Kia Sportage will welcome gasoline direct injection to its 2.4-liter 4-cylinder base engine, adding “enhanced efficiency” to its dynamic design, as well as a bit of a power bump. Last year’s primary powerplant, without GDI technology, made 176 hp and 168 lb.-ft. of torque, while this year’s model produces 182 of the former and 177 of the latter. That will no doubt pep up the compact crossover even further, but it does remain to be seen if the change will have an impact on the EPA ratings of the 2014 Kia Sportage.

The 2013 model was rated at 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and if those marks remain unchanged, the result would be a package that provides some of the highest power outputs in the segment with fuel-economy marks that are just off the pace set by the leading small mainstream crossovers. The 2014 Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Equinox, for example, all hit 26 mpg in combined driving.

This year, however, the only transmission offered in the vehicle will be a six-speed automatic, which brings us to another change to the 2014 Kia Sportage family: Last year’s starting point was a “Base” model that was stickered at just $19,000 and was the only Sportage with a manual transmission. Well, that model has been deleted, removing a nice choice for enthusiasts and likely raising the price of admission significantly. The least-expensive 2014 Kia Sportage will be the LX model, and last year that was priced at $21,200.

Prices for 2014 has yet to be released, but last year’s LX MSRP still would provide a four-figure cost advantage over the mainstreamers, since entries like the 2014 Toyota RAV4 open north of $23,000. Just remember, one of the reasons that the Sportage has a smaller MSRP than its mainstream alternatives is that it’s also smaller physically.

The 2014 Kia Sportage is 174.8 inches long, while the mainstream brands’ small crossovers range from the Escape’s 178.1 inches to the Equinox’s 187.8 (excluding the 162.4-inch Nissan Juke that’s in a class by itself).

2014 Kia Sportage: Refinements Reviewed

There were a lot of little changes to the 2014 Kia Sportage roster, with the result being to provide a more refined overall ownership experience. Thus, the entry-level LX model now boasts the same standard high-performance dampers that used to be limited to the EX and SX trims, resulting in improved driving dynamics even at the lower end of the lineup—with further improvements coming from the previously mentioned addition of GDI to the Sportage’s base engine.

And another important technology feature premieres on the 2014 Kia Sportage inside the cabin, in the form of Kia’s UVO eServices telematics system with advanced voice recognition and navigation. It’s standard on the EX and SX models, available on the Sportage LX, and comes packaged with a rearview camera, Back-Up Warning System and automatic on/off headlamps.

Designers also have fine-tuned the exterior styling of the 2014 Kia Sportage by deploying a new, even more aggressive grille that now shows a lower air-intake peeking out from beneath the bottom of its front bumper cover. As a finishing touch, the 2014 Kia Sportage EX is fitted with standard foglights for the new model year. Of course, the new upgrades come on top of a wealth of carry-over content, including:

• An available 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that contributes 260 hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque while realizing an EPA line of 20/26/23
• DynaMax electronically controlled on-demand all-wheel drive
• Heated, ventilated and leather-trimmed seating
• Infinity premium audio
• LED taillights and HID headlights
• A panoramic sunroof
• Push-button start

The 2014 Kia Sportage is expected to go on sale in this country in the near-term future.