Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tucson
Stress test survivors |
  |
By Richard J. Newman
|
Nits: Gas mileage came in well under 20 mpg, disappointing for a "compact" SUV.
G forces: The base engine is a 140-horsepower four-cylinder, with an optional 173-horsepower V-6. The tested V-6 has good power for passing and towing, but groans heavily and shifts abruptly. The Sportage and Tucson handle comfortably, like a sedan, but corner haltingly and need to be nursed through curves. The front-wheel drive models also suffer from noticeable torque steer, with the front tires biting into the pavement when you turn and accelerate at the same time.
Gizmology: There are no unnecessary frills, which suggests a kind of confidence, and the climate and audio controls are well designed and easy to use. Some of the buttons for the radio are annoyingly small. I was thrilled at the prospect of getting heated seats on such a cheap car, but disappointed that steering-wheel controls for the radio aren't available.
Kidmarks: These are great family cars. There's plenty of room for three children in the back seat, it's easy to climb in and out, and the height gives kids an adult's-eye view of the road. Plus the interior materials are durable, if not exactly cushy, able to resist the kind of punishment kids can dish out.
Hot or not: Not. There's a touch of the Lexus RX3330, but not enough to overcome the truncated rear end, which vaguely reminds me of the old AMC Pacer.
Envirometer: The EPA rates the Sportage and Tucson above average for tailpipe emissions, with mixed ratings for pollution, depending on the engine. Mileage ranges from 19 mpg/city to 27 mpg/highway. For more info, go to www.fueleconomy.gov and see their pages for the Sportage and the Tucson.
Crash course: Not yet crash tested by the government or by private testing organizations.
Price points: Base prices for the Sportage range from $16,490 to $22,290. Price as tested: $21,889. Base prices for the Tucson range from $17,499 to $22,299. Price as tested: $21,334. (All prices include delivery fees.)
More info:
For the Sportage– sportage.kia.com
For the Tucson– hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/tucson
|
Model year tested: 2005
Some cars get off easy. Not these two. During the 14 days I drove the Sportage and Tucson twins, manufactured in Korea by parent company Hyundai, I was in the process of moving, and I hauled a basementful of miscellaneous junk from one house to another. My kids were in the thick of spring sports, so I dragged them and their gear from field to field. At some point we were carting around a friend's dog. And there were the usual groceries, spring plantings, impulsively purchased merchandise, and other trappings of household life.
Like people, weak vehicles are most likely to break down when under stress. But neither one of these small SUVs ever buckled. I flipped the rear seats up and down repeatedly, depending on whether I was transporting kids or cargo. The seats were a snap to operate, and they stowed nearly flat at the yank of one lever, a sign of thorough engineering. Nothing broke or got scratched, even though I was shoving rough, odd-shaped stuff in and out. And as I explored all of these vehicles' recesses, I discovered a few nice surprises. Both had all the tie-down hooks and storage nooks needed to secure life's myriad belongings. For relatively small vehicles, both SUVs could handle surprisingly large packages. There's even a handy bag hook that pops out of the passenger side dashboard on the Sportage, perfect for small bags you don't want to get squashed on the floor. I'm impressed that Kia thought of that one before Honda.
The Sportage and Tucson are further evidence that these two Korean brands are no longer cheap, flimsy imports. They're solid vehicles worthy of consideration by mainstream buyers, a view backed up the Koreans' rise in J.D. Power surveys and other measures of quality. Not that they're perfect. The optional 170-horsepower V-6 engine that I tested has spunk, but it's noisy and rough. For scooting around town the Sportage and Tucson are maneuverable and comfortable, and the highway ride is stable. But cornering is limp, without the crisper handling of the Honda CR-V or the Jeep Liberty. Still, most inexpensive cars impose tradeoffs, and the Kia and Sportage offer much in return. Stability control and a full suite of airbags are standard on all models, which start at about $16,500 for the Kia, and $18,000 for the Tucson. For less than $22,000, each SUV can be outfitted with leather upholstery, heated seats and mirrors, and many other basic luxuries. And still be cheap enough to transport your muckiest stuff without a lot of worry.
 In the market for a new car? Use our auto search for more information.
Is there a car you would like us to review? Send your suggestion to test-track@usnews.com.
Return to the auto page to view more reviews.
|
