Kia Sportage

Even though the 2011 Kia Sportage competes in one of the most crowded vehicle segments, its sleek and sporty styling has upped the ante in the compact crossover market when it comes to exterior design. The all-new Sportage design was inspired largely by the 2007 Kia Kue Concept with a healthy dose of the automaker’s current “tiger nose” design language incorporated into the front end. The face of the new Sportage is highlighted by the signature grille, the short, creased hood and the LED daytime running lights (DRL) integrated into the narrow, angular headlights. The lower grille opening and fog light designs incorporated into the front fascia help finish off the sporty front-end styling. While the front of the Sportage gives it a more aggressive look, the rear of the crossover has a more upscale, Audi-like appearance thanks to the horizontal taillights and the lower fascia reflectors.

In profile, the tall ride height combined with the raked roofline helps to give the Sportage its sporty stance which is accented by the lower grey, plastic cladding and the 18-inch alloy wheels exclusive to the Sportage EX trim level. In addition to the stylish, cheese-grater-like wheels and LED DRLs, the Sportage EX trim level is also distinguishable by the fog lights and chrome door handles. The Sportage also gets chrome trim on the front fascia and along the beltline – the latter of which is one of the Sportage’s most unique design elements. While rear quarter windows might have helped to improve rearward visibility, it would have taken away from this beltline design that helps distinguish the Sportage. As far as options go, the Sportage EX comes almost fully loaded, so exterior add-ons are very limited with this test model adding the only upgrades possible – the panoramic sunroof and the heated exterior mirrors.

Front View Kia Sportage

Rear view Kia Sportage