06/04/2025

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

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SUNDAY | APR 6, 2025

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New Sportage once again shows why it is a force to be reckoned with Korean splendour splendour

BY KESHY DHILLON

The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine does a decent job at getting you up to speed while staying economical.

A little perspective The Sportage was first introduced to the Malaysian market around 1998. It went up against the establishment, particularly the Honda CRV, Suzuki Vitara and the Toyota RAV4. As you could probably imagine, the competition was fierce, but Kia and its local distributor stood by its guns. The Sportage held its own with its spaciousness, ease of driving and creature comforts. While the competition was tough and the early years was undoubtedly rough, the Sportage found a fanbase. Fast forward a couple of years and the Kia Sportage is a staple model in its segment. Having survived global economic meltdowns, the Asian financial crisis and other turmoil, the Sportage is now one of the “regulars”. The newcomers though have it squarely in its sights. Game changer The Kia Sportage that arguably cemented Kia’s reputation as a serious contender is the third-generation model. This was the model designed by Peter

THE advent of Chinese cars has claimed many victims, most of them from legacy brands. But that is not necessarily a bad thing because every once in a while, the market needs a real shake-up and more often than not, it is the buyers that wins. While there was a time when Korean cars did most of the market shake ups with their bold designs, futuristic interiors and technologies, now it is the Chinese that are doing the shaking. But while the Chinese variants do have their strengths, particularly in terms of specifications and pricing, the Koreans have their own as well. I remember a time when car buyers were skeptical about Korean cars. They had everything you would want in a car, and arguably drove pretty well, but the market sentiments were against them particularly the used value and reliability. But times have changed, and though it is the Chinese that are dominating the headlines these days, cars like the latest generation Kia Sportage, which you see here, remind us of how far Kia has some, and what it has achieved over the years.

A spare wheel is a must and the Sportage has one.

LED lights all around are to be expected these days.