In the next few months, we will be testing an array of Kia models to showcase their fuel economy attributes in real world driving conditions. We will also give you some tips on how to achieve the best possible fuel consumption in your Kia throughout these videos.
Charl Wilken, known for his long career in motorsports and his role as Director of the successful 2019 WesBank Fuel Economy Tour will be our test driver during these videos. This month we are putting the recently launched Kia Sportage Diesel through its paces to see what kind of fuel economy you can expect on a trip from Pretoria to Durban. But most importantly we wanted to see if we could match or even beat Kia’s 4.9-litre per 100 kilometres quoted economy figure.
It is important to note that the Kia will be driven in a normal way and at the legal speed limit throughout. Charl will however make sure that he drives the Kia Sportage in the most fuel-efficient way with smooth throttle inputs and no harsh acceleration. “Well here we are filling up the Kia Sportage Diesel on a cold Gauteng morning, ready to start our road trip to Durban. But before we can depart, we must do a few checks on the vehicle.
First and foremost, we must ensure that our tyre pressures are set at the manufacturers recommended pressures. Just remember, lower pressures equal more drag, which would have a negative effect on your fuel consumption. The Kia Sportage also offers a few features that would help us achieve better fuel consumption. Especially ensure that the stop/start feature is turned on, as well as selecting the economy driving mode. We are also resetting the on-board computer to monitor our progress throughout the trip. And that’s it, we are ready to go.
Well, we are about a 100Km out of Joburg, and the fuel economy is looking great so far! And to be honest I am really enjoying driving this Sportage. At the legal speed limit, the engine is ticking over at just 2 000 rpm and it’s so quiet, it almost feels as if I am driving an electric car. It really is impressive. Close to halfway into the trip the team decided to stop for a quick breakfast, and it was clear from the on-board trip computer that they would easily reach Durban on one tank of Diesel and with quite a bit to spare too, and that, despite its relatively modest 54-litre tank capacity.
Driving the Sportage at a constant speed with small throttle inputs has certainly been easy thus far. More than enough power and torque has allowed me to maintain speed effortlessly in seventh gear, which proved great for fuel saving. Driving at the legal speed limit throughout the team reached Durban after 6-hours and 6-minutes of driving time and less than half a tank of fuel. According to the on-board trip computer the team averaged a very respectable 5.05-litres per 100km, which indeed compares well with the 4.9-litres per 100 kilometres claimed figure.
Charl did mention that in making this video they had to make quite a few unscheduled stops for filming, and he believes if it was not for this, they would have certainly beaten the manufacturer’s claimed figure. Furthermore, the on-board computer showed that the Sportage still had a range of 443 kilometres left, which equates to an overall range of just over a thousand kilometres. Bearing in mind that this is a possible range for highway driving only.
Our Journey from Pretoria to Durban in the Kia Sportage Diesel has been enlightening. The vehicle has showcased its impressive fuel efficiency, thanks to its advanced engineering and eco-friendly features. As we conclude our journey, we have proven that the Kia Sportage Diesel is not only a comfortable and stylish SUV, but also an economical choice for those seeking fuel savings without compromising on performance.
And finally, the answer is yes, the new Kia Sportage is as fuel-efficient as they claim. Please like and subscribe to our channel if you enjoyed our video to see more Kia fuel economy videos coming soon.
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