Personally, I think a truer test for the Kia Sportage is driving in snow deeper than 3 inches with ice underneath. Most people that buy these vehicles get them for "street cred" instead of using these for actual off-roading. The same can be said about pickup trucks. However, in this case, that Sportage surprised me, and great job to Andre for navigating the course with that sweet-looking (and it's actually a smooth driver, too!) crossover.

At least with off road package on Jeep SUVs they have skid plates, superior approach/departure angles and tow hooks so using it off road on actual trails is simply using a product in the environment it was designed for. Most of the "off road packages" in competing SUVs are at best an appearance package with some slightly better tires... Because most people probably don't care and won't actually use it off road anyway, but it's annoying that they don't engineer it for that type of use...only make it look like it.

@tarfeef101

Жыл бұрын

Literally why I own a jeep right now. Here in BC the cross ditches and washouts will just destroy anything without good angles, even if you're higher or have more torque. Wouldn't mind more suspension travel or traction, but that'll have to wait for EV 4x4s, even hybrids aren't good on gas (see: Wrangler and grand Cherokee 4xes)

@pablomoreno1999

Жыл бұрын

thing is a slightly muddy road side or a really easy trail is the most offroad these cars will ever see. and some better tyres and looks to attract more customers will be just more than enough. if you want to do more 4wheeling you don't go for a sportage. What REALLY annoys me is when they offer this offroad trims in 2wd set ups. i will never understand the point of that...

In fairness to the Kia, which did well, the Bronco sport had a 1.5” lift putting it around 9.3”. My BSPORT Badlands is stock with 225 tires so sits at 8.3” like the Kia but what it has is better approach.

@texandy89

Жыл бұрын

The Bronco Sport looks way better than the KIA

@ThisGuyRides

Жыл бұрын

@@texandy89 to be fair, the Sportage competes with Escape so can't look too off road focused like the Bronco Sport

@texandy89

Жыл бұрын

@@ThisGuyRides never liked KiA they look ugly

David's course doesn't go unnoticed!🤘

I absolutely LOVE what you guys have done with audio. TFL is easily the best KZread channel(s) for audio.

"8.3 inches is good enough!" Well I should hope so!! 😎

Impressive for what it is. I don't ordinarily give a lot of kudos to these things, but TFL pushed it past where I would have gone with it and proved with the proper clearances, the OR abilities would be at a 5 of 10. 🙂

The dramatic music was hilarious. Nice touch 😂

Have that engine in my 2019 Sorento. It has 36K miles & on its 2nd engine. First one has oil changed every 5k miles & was never abused & still went. These engines go out all the time according to the Kia mechanic.

@zabryant01

Жыл бұрын

2019 Sorento has the 2.4 theta 2 gdi. The newer engines are the 2.5 “smart stream” gdi which is basically a next generation (theta 3) it’s not the same engine…

I don't understand why manufacturers can't just give a simple 2 inch lift for all these "off roady" crossovers. And maybe a redesigned bumper as well. That would totally transform them

@Wrangler59

Жыл бұрын

They should, but the mpg would drop as well.

@wickedwood04

Жыл бұрын

@@Wrangler59 I think the people that want these off road like vehicles would expect that but I am sure these companies have done a lot of market research

@AHungryHunky

Жыл бұрын

May have something to do with highway safety, MPGs costs or the like. There are a lot of rules cars have to follow, both federally and on the state level. Quite frankly it's amazing to me we have the diversity in car design we currently do when you account for all the bumper height regulations, mpg regulations, headlight height regulations... List goes on. My old ZR2 S10 came factory lifted and with 31 inch tires. It also came factory 3 inches wider than a standard S10, probably for rollover protection. It's the same reason Jeeps have such wide stances these days despite the actual body of them being quite small. If Jeep where to give, for example the Renegade a 2 inch lift, they'd probably also have to widen it's wheelbase by 2 inches or so to compensate and keep it's rollover dynamics the same. I'd say 8+ inches is enough, but the gash I had to patch in my paint under my Renegade disagrees, and it's a fairly short wheelbase... Some of these other vehicles like the Outback would fair worse

@SiuLeung

Жыл бұрын

yea, I agree. But this can be a great base for aftermarket to make this a much better softroader. small lift and a new bumper would make the plug-in hybrid version a great everyday driver and roadtripper.

@AndrewAMartin

Жыл бұрын

A 'simple' 2 inch lift is going to change nearly EVERYTHING about how the vehicle operates -- you're changing the suspension geometry, the handling dynamics, the drivetrain angles... That would require a complete retesting of the vehicle, and could even cause it to fail minimum safety requirements. The wear and tear on the driveline components could possibly make them fail prematurely. It's much more complicated than you think.

Hands-down, the new Kia Sportage is the best looking crossover on the market today I think. It looks so much better than the RAV4, CRV, and even the Hyundai Tucson. I think the folks at Kia really stepped it up on the Sportage with all the new packages and adding a Hybrid to the mix.

@kaliman198117ify

Жыл бұрын

Lol bolt Statement. Not even close my friend, they still have ways to go. They are better than before though

@kw8757

Жыл бұрын

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this has no beauty to me...just awful.

@AHungryHunky

Жыл бұрын

I think it is a very nice crossover and I certainly would not be upset to own one, but in it's size class id probably get a Bronco Sport or Cherokee/compass first. Bronco sport first because it's capable enough and I love boxier SUVs, plus it's basically tailor made for an outdoorsman with features like the rubberized cargo hold and such. The Jeeps because Jeep has probably the best terrain management system in the compact crossover world and the Cherokee can be optioned with an actual low range, something you don't necessarily need all the time but when you do it's nice to have.

Good job Andre, I think the new Kia Sportage is a nice looking crossover. I like the fact it doesn't have a cvt transmission & no turbos, yes you definitely lose power but you gain long jevity. And that's a proven fact for me.

What happened to the TFL Offroad score? Great video as always.

I bought this exact trim for my wife and kids. All my cars have always been RWD 2 door animals, so this was a "I don't care about it, not for me purchase". Been driving it for a few weeks now... I fell in love with the damn thing. Yes severely underpowered but wow is it well appointed.

The optional OEM front skid plate would come in handy offroading.

ive been working at a kia dealer for about a month now as a detailer and even tho I'm not the happiest with engines and just how much work our service guys do to these cars. but I'm so surprised with the design on almost every Kias lineup for 2023. I think I've found my soft spot for most of their crossovers and suv's. the looks, the interior, and the way they just drive is the best! Sorento's and the Sportage's are gorgeous vehicles, and I think kia is catching on to looks recently. not the best off-roader but one of the best looking crossovers made for 2023

All this off-road testing of crossovers is nice but you should always remember that with these types of vehicles, the load your carrying will decide how much clearance it actually has. That's what surprised me when they tested the Bronco Sport with two passengers. I know its not that much but every little bit matters. I don't know exact numbers but two healthy American males may be half the payload of a typical crossover and can lower the ground clearance noticeably.

@michaelgiles7844

Жыл бұрын

My Bronco Sport with the lift and the larger tires gave it 9.5 inches of ground clearance empty.

@denisleblanc4506

Жыл бұрын

@@michaelgiles7844 I really like the Bronco Sport specially the Badlands or a lifted version. I was just pointing out that any load lowers de ground clearance in this type of vehicle whereas it doesn't in a solid axle vehicle. My present vehicle has independent suspension in front and solid axle in the rear and I've noticed that often I could climb steep rocky hills without touching only to hit a few rocks on the way back down. Just the extra load on the front suspension would be enough for it to drag in places it didn't when I was going up with the same load.

@AHungryHunky

Жыл бұрын

My Jeep Renegade has the payload of a first gen Raptor. That sounds impressive, and it is. It's impressive anything with a truck bed has a payload of 900 lbs. That said, I'd struggle to fit 900lbs of crap into that toaster Jeep. Edit: My memory failed me, after a quick Google search I was incorrect. Both the Raptor and my Jeep have a payload of about 1000lbs depending on options.

@AndrewAMartin

Жыл бұрын

@@AHungryHunky To load 1000 pounds of stuff on a Renegade, that's what roof racks and hitch haulers are for... 😁 I took my 2017 Renegade Trailhawk offroading with some Jeep friends awhile back (mostly lifted Cherokee XJs and Grand Cherokees and a Wrangler or two) and I was mostly able to keep up on green trails, the main issue being ground clearance. Better tires would definitely help too. Enjoyed it so much, I bought a 97 Wrangler so I wouldn't scratch up and bang up the Renegade...

I have this car and love it! I've taking it off roading and it has just enough clearance for moderate off road trails, once those tires get traction it moves through any terrain

Love this perfect review planing on getting one and this helped sell it even like the green color 👍

Just got the PHEV!

The new look is totally awesome. Love it

you know it actually did allright. i still don't buy these kind of "offroad ready" trim think....but i do like the idea of equipping it with better tyres, the extra clearance that comes with those....i think is how every SUV should come as standard, at least the awd versions. however for what you just did, a subaru, bronco sport...i wouldn't go to a kia dealership looking for an offroad worthy crossover. no matter the trim hahaha

Great video! I bought one but hasn’t arrived yet. Did anyone notice the light movement with the headlights and rear lights ? I haven’t seen that in other 2023 Sportage videos. They are just solid on. Not sure if it’s from recording or if the vehicle does that in a certain mode ! Hope someone knows 😊

I have a 4Runner, but as far as crossovers go I actually really like this one. I think this is probably best in class. I don't think this is the trim to get though, I think the hybrid is the way to go with this vehicle. It has about 40 horsepower more and gets 10 MPG more, at least. Just throw some good tires on it and call it a day.

@m747hvy6

Жыл бұрын

Hybrid is the base model. The XPro has a ton of interior features that make it far superior as a daily.

@trailrunnah8886

Жыл бұрын

@@m747hvy6 Eh, I'd rather have the better fuel economy.

@m747hvy6

Жыл бұрын

@@trailrunnah8886 oh yeah, if that is the main goal. but resale value wise, a fully loaded XPro is best option. My personal view.

@trailrunnah8886

Жыл бұрын

@@m747hvy6 you may be correct about resale, I haven't looked at used prices. I've looked at new, and it seems like a decently equipped mid level hybrid can be had in the 34k range, which IMO is a decent value for the class. Long term reliability would be a question for me though.

@m747hvy6

Жыл бұрын

@@trailrunnah8886 KIA has an unbeatable powertrain warranty. One of the things I got during negotiations on my new one was all other warranties extended to 10 years as well. The electronics warranty is a biggie. Lotsa screens and sensors that could go wonky and be expensive to diagnose and fix. I was happy to extend those, plus a 2k discount... Made the X-Pro just 1k over the mid range model. Was a no brainer.

Looks great!!

The new look is too weird! I'm happy about the larger room and the technical capabilities off road. I like my 2019 Sportage, it took me a little to warm up to the front look, but this new look is too awkward for the intended audience. I expected something more similar or between the Sorento and the EV6.

Designed for light off-road duty. But that’s enough for most people.

With little mod to front bumper that will make good weekend toy. Probably not for bouldering, but good to take to go down some dirt trails.

The overall designs of modern wagons err, SUV/AAV/SSUV/CUV's look like Azteks. Overall, this test was interesting. Thanks for the video. I've enjoyed it.

I love the front end look. Was a seller for me

Great new looks

I like the fact that Kia is providing a model without turbo charging. I prefer a naturally aspirated engine for everyday use and longevity.

I would love to test my 2016 Cherokee latitude in stock form on this course!

Just got the 24 in this trim and frankly surprised at the build quality.

I'd love to see 1st gen Sportage on this course

I got the 2022 Tucson Hybrid and got these tires. Since the Tucson and Sportage are siblings, I would like to think the performance will be similar! 😊

I do like the look of the front, it's the best of the weird I have seen in a while. Better than the Silverado weird in my humble opinion 🤠.

Golden era for Tall Hatchbacks. lol

like Kia or not, they have made huge leaps in the U.S. market since they first arrived back in the late 90s with the Kia Sephia

@brohammer

Жыл бұрын

Lol I had one of those. POS but it was 9900 dollars

just a idea. What about taking older stock 4x4's on this. See how they hold up say under 10k. Jeep Liberty Renegade, S-10 Blazer, Honda CRV etc...

Is it a dual clutch? I hope not for off roading

This vehicles are mall crawlers and soccer practice goers

This just shows you how good that even that bronco sport base model is an amazing “soft roader”

@dmegahan

Жыл бұрын

@@shitloveaduck yes but outside the ground clearance, that off road system crushed it. Look at the “hole” section

Looks great but I’m not doing that. Lol

Want to see a top tier truck like trx or raptor go up the log hill full Out and test its suspension or break it 🤔

My 2013 lx awd would make all that look easy

The Bronco was lifted

I'd love to see a Subaru on this course!

My wife bought a KIA Optima new in 2013. Never had a issue plus the mileage is well, really good . If the Sportage is anything like this it will be great, plus that 10 year warranty is a good thing too.

Just put those tires on the hybird and in snow mode you should be good to go

The Bronco sport had a small aftermarket lift and bigger tire's. All theses "offroad" package's are just a way to charge more for just looks.

I think this is the same vehicle that DRIVESPORT TV used

@Bartholomew60

2 ай бұрын

Yes, it is the same vehicle. It failed on one part of the DriveSport TV trail. The driver complained that it doesn't, technically, have a diif lock and would only call it a lock. Also, he blamed part of the poor performance on the tires. He doesn't like the Goodyear A/T tires. Andre would beg to differ... lol.

Good looking rig!

Is this one going to catch on fire too?

All the people whining that this isn't a real world test yet they are watching this review on the TFL OFFROAD channel 🤦‍♂️

I like Kia suv but I think need bit more up high like 4x4. I don’t like too low very deep probly can scratch or broke bump. I think should like high Jeep Grand Cherokee should add little high Kia suv should 4x4. 👍🏼

I want to talk about the folly of off-road-themed packages, but the truth is 0.05% of people actually take their vehicles off pavement in a meaningful sense. So in truth, these packages probably do make sense from a business/marketing perspective.

@smithjones1906

Жыл бұрын

@@shitloveaduck I accept your nuanced correction or addendum to my comment. I think that's a good point.

Jeep renegade trailhawk vs this course

@AndrewAMartin

Жыл бұрын

I'd love to take my Renegade Trailhawk on this course, and my 97 Wrangler on the tougher course, but I'm in Pennsylvania and it's a little bit of a drive...

I'm sure that my stock Dacia duster in half the price off this Kia can handle this course with ease

@carllovullo6602

Жыл бұрын

Yes the Duster is a pretty good offroader!

The sportage has independant rear suspension unlike .most offroad vehicles so thats why it bottoms out.

@thisguyfromyoutubesaid1537

Жыл бұрын

They have solid rear axles so they always have weight over a tire for traction

9:05 guess they should have built the chin for off road and not areo. Then it would have been much better. Course anything with only 8 inches of clearance isn't gonna do well off road. Plus that 8 inches I'm sure was measured somewhere in the middle and not at the front chin where it is the lowest. At 11:10 you can hear the engine start. Why the hell is there a start stop feature in an off road vehicle? At least it should be disabled since your gonna be starting and stopping often when doing any off road stuff.

@bigglyguy8429

Жыл бұрын

I've since found other good reasons to avoid it but the thing that instantly put my off the Nissan X-Trail is the totally useless 'chin'. It's as bad and probably worse than this thing

Thanks!

Comment for the algorithm

The skirts make the Sportage a less-than-competent off-road vehicle, even in this set-up . . . Most people won't use it for that anyway. I have my doubts about those tires that Andre liked as well . . .

smart mode sucks for offroad. I think it'll do better on normal. Too bad Kia went for looks and didn't give it better approach angles. If they didn't give it so much overhang on the front, it would be much better and can even rival the Bronco Sport.

Can you take a 2004 old Toyota Highlander on the track please use for fun

He mentioned the Bronco Sport did better than this car, but that wasn't stock. It was equipped with an aftermarket lift.

@carllovullo6602

Жыл бұрын

Yes you're right, but the AWD system on the BS is way more advanced.... nearly no slippage

needs a small lift kits

The Kia Sportage is not a Off Road Card even if are using offroad tire.

In same test.. Better than RAV4 TRD offroad.

I'd like to see this vehicle tested how it would be used in real life. A mother and a father in the front two kids in the back and a week's worth of groceries in the rear.

@davidsanders4703

Жыл бұрын

Yea I'm sure that will go viral! Lol 😆

@davidsanders4703

Жыл бұрын

This ain't tfl onroad granny style

@mattalexander4699

Жыл бұрын

So you think groceries & 3 passengers would make a difference? Geez

Give this bad boy a 2" lift and it becomes a true off roader; better than a rav4 prime dare I say

@riffedwood5597

Жыл бұрын

We just got the PHEV x-line, AWD, same ground clearance and approach/departure angles. Pretty sure we just need off-road tires to do the same things this one does

Would like to see yt stop all these scammers in your comments utterly annoying the crap out of me and every comment is replied to by thsse scamming pos TFL and all yt need to stop this

An 'off-road' ( advertised ) KIA,. .not really, especially with that 'chin spoiler' down there just waiting to get ripped right off!

The softest of soft roaders.

Give me a second hand Land Cruiser any day.

@rzu7120

Жыл бұрын

If you find someone to give you a Land Cruiser let me know, I'll take one too.

Have you ever noticed when people test these vehicles. They miss something that is always overlooked. The Navigation systems.!! I find more and more people who do these reviews. Never type in a location settings. So we could get a better understanding how the improvements in this area's are better then previous years. Have you ever typed in a location for a doctor's address that you've never been to before. That's in a shopping area or a office location, that has multi suite's in a business park. Most GPS Navigation systems never get you exactly where you need to be and or on time. I would honestly like to see someone point that out during their reviews. Because it would make a huge difference in lots of ways to know which vehicle can find it's way out of a paper bag... And just maybe the auto industry will take notice.!!!

I like the Sportage because it doesn't have a CVT. This upgraded version is nice in and out.

@bigglyguy8429

Жыл бұрын

I like the Crosstrek cos it has a slithery smooth CVT. For serious off-roading I use my Hilux (or KLX250...)

Floor it who needs an oil pan

It's (AWD Lock) only transfers 50% to front wheels and 50% to the rear.

Where all wheel drive fails is deep wet snow it tries to lock all the brakes when you need to spin all the wheels.

Kia is going to crush this car its a pre production they aren't going to mind if you "kiss the chin" they gave it to you to show it capabilities we need to see lt climb lava. That silt like sandy substance isn't going to damage the front spoiler.!

These type of vehicles are never really intended to be taken off-road. They just look a little more rugged for marketing purposes.

It’s not a real center locking DIff

When I married my wife I inherited a mid 90s Sportage. That car was so bad I’d never buy another Kia.

@BEABEREAN10

Жыл бұрын

They are a completely different company nowadays...30 years changes a lot

@lee9576

Жыл бұрын

Your decision making skills are....

Needs a tow package

@kw8757

Жыл бұрын

Won't be towing much with that feeble motor.

@petermavus4131

Жыл бұрын

@@kw8757 Skidoo

Some of these “Off Road” packages are getting silly. Maybe you could take this thing up a fire road but that’s about it.

Poor Kia, every time I see their new logo I think of air filters.

Don't care for the looks personally. You couldn't give me a KIA though.

X imposter… Kia and Hyundai are able to switch up styling impressively fast, but they are going to mess around and lose their identity. Too much of a good thing.

The front styling is awful kia is known for awful styling well because there korean they really cannot design good cars I would take a old chevy vs any kia.

@IgnatiusCaelestis

Жыл бұрын

The front looks bad ass. To each their own.

@lee9576

Жыл бұрын

The front looks awesome. What are you talking about.

I think Asian vehicles in general look hideous!

THAT. THING. LOOKS. AWFUL.