Kia Sportage Review: A Versatile SUV

Smooth Driving, Start to Finish

The road north from Christchurch to Kaikōura is a classic Kiwi drive, long open straights, tight coastal bends, the odd one-lane bridge, and plenty of scenery to keep things interesting. The Sportage’s turbocharged engine had no trouble keeping pace, and features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist made the journey feel that bit more cruisy. From winding corners to town speeds and rough patches, the Sportage delivered a steady, well-balanced ride. It felt planted and composed, yet also nimble and zippy.

This model was petrol, but the Sportage also comes in diesel and hybrid variants. So no matter how or where you drive, there’s a version to suit.

The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission made gear shifts almost unnoticeable, giving the whole drive a seamless feel. For most of the trip, I had the Drive Mode set to ‘Smart’—an adaptive system that automatically switches between Comfort, Eco, and Sport modes based on driving conditions and style. It’s designed to optimise for fuel efficiency, smoothness, and performance without you having to think about it.

That said, I wasn’t going to borrow a nice car without at least giving Sport Mode a go. Flicking it over added a noticeable boost, perfect for overtaking or just enjoying a more responsive drive. And, in the interest of balance (and fuel economy), I finished the trip in Eco Mode, which dialed things back for a more efficient cruise back into town.

Overall, I felt incredibly confident on the road and really enjoyed how effortless the Sportage made the trip, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.

Room to Play

Packing for a surf weekend always means hauling a fair amount of gear. I requested the car on short notice, so roof racks weren’t available, but that wasn’t a problem. With the seats folded down, the Sportage’s generous 1829 litres of boot space easily accommodated two boards, wetsuits, bags, and everything else we brought along. Not having to worry about having boards on the roof was a bonus, it meant I could focus on the drive and not second-guess whether my tie-downs would hold.

The sense of space was reinforced on Sunday evening when I picked up my three flatmates from the airport. Unprompted, they commented on how roomy it felt in the back. For a mid-size SUV, it makes smart use of space, and it didn’t feel cramped even with four adults and their luggage, or when fully loaded with gear.

Easy Tech

The infotainment setup in the Sportage is straightforward but solid. The 12.3″ touchscreen paired with the 4.2″ instrument cluster gives the dash a clean, modern look without being over the top. It’s fast, intuitive, and with Wireless Apple CarPlay, I was straight into my playlists and maps without any setup drama.

The system has a futuristic feel, but it remains clean and minimalist, which I appreciated. My only minor gripe was changing the radio station, it required leaning across to reach the buttons on the screen. That said, it’s an easy fix with the steering wheel controls, I just didn’t bother setting them up for a two-day loan.

Also, I have to give a shoutout to the heated seats and dual-zone air conditioning, great for warming up after a surf, and even better when I was ready to cool down but my passenger still wanted it cranked up.

Final Thoughts

The Kia Sportage not only looks sharp, but it also delivers in performance. With solid ground clearance and all-wheel drive (in this spec), it handled varying conditions yet it never felt bulky when parking in town, striking a perfect balance between capability and urban convenience. Whether you’re off on a surf trip or simply looking for a versatile, modern SUV that can handle it all, the Sportage is definitely worth considering.

And though Kaikōura is only around 2.5 hours from Christchurch, I tend to overlook it. But if you’re after a day trip or a quick weekend escape, I’d definitely recommend heading north. The town itself is a coastal gem, whether you’re into surfing, scenic walks, spotting marine life, or just browsing local shops, there’s something for everyone. And the drive provides non-stop views the whole way up. It’s the kind of road trip that feels like part of the holiday.