Kia has been one of my favorite companies for 2012 as their offering
competitively priced vehicles with strong warranties and some vehicles even
being built here in the states putting Americans to work. I also prefer Kia’s
designs over Hyundai’s. The company is continually growing and receiving
accolades and with the technology they are utilizing is able to offer efficient
and affordable vehicles. For Kia’s 2013 crossovers we see that Kia Sportage and
Sorrento. The 2013 Kia Sorrento is an all new design for this year and as for
this Sportage we will see that redesign coming for the 2014 model year. For the
2013 Sportage see the continuation of the 2.4 L normally aspirated engine
with variable valve timing producing 176 hp and 168 foot-pounds of torque. This
engine is shared amongst the Sportage Base, LX, and EX.
But for the 2013
Sportage SX we see the turbocharged 2 L producing 260 hp and 269 foot-pounds of
torque making for quite the peppy crossover. All-wheel-drive systems are
available on all models except for the base model. The Sportage EX and LX both
come standard with the 6-speed automatic transmission which allows the vehicle
to get an EPA rating of 32 miles per gallon on the highway and 22 miles per
gallon in the city. The Sportage SX gets a little less at 29 miles per gallon on
the highway and 22 miles per gallon in the city.
With the 2013 Sportage EX and SX you get the Microsoft information and
entertainment system called the UVO. This allows connections to satellite radio
as well as Bluetooth connectivity to your cell phone and a built-in rearview
backup camera and backup warning system. This lets you stream music that you
have saved on your phone straight to your stereo which works out pretty good.
The SX Sportage also offers remote start as well as a smart key that recognizes
whenever you are in or around the vehicle. There is also the option for an air
cooled driver’s seat which makes things which works great during the summertime
whenever you’re trying wear corporate attire and don’t really feel like showing
up with a big ring of sweat on your back.
The Sportage 2013 will start out at $18,500 and depending on options can get
all the way up to $28,500. But it looks to be a solid all-around vehicle and
great for getting around urban areas. But what’s impressive is that the 2013
Sorrento also gets up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway. So if you have a
little extra money to spare and want a bigger crossover then I would recommend
the 2013 Kia Sorrento otherwise should get a lot of usage out of the 2013
Sportage especially in an all-wheel-drive version as you will be able to go most
places that a full-size SUV could. And top it off still get the 100,000 mile
warranty on the powertrain.
