Find the best Kia Sportage deals: locally.link/tZUB Read our dedicated audio review: totallyev.net/kia-sportage-audio-review-upgrade-to-gt-line-s/ Our detailed written review of the Kia Sportage: totallyev.net/kia-sportage-review-better-than-hyundai-tucson/ Video timestamps: Audio configuration: 00:00 Connectivity & EQ: 01:10 Cabin noise: 01:49 Sound demo: 02:27 Bass: 03:46 Treble: 04:31 Soundstage & verdict: 05:32

Finally someone talking about sound systems in cars. Have you tested the Megane E Tech sound systems?

@TotallyEV

6 ай бұрын

Thanks! No, I haven't tested the new Renault vehicles; Renault UK are a bit hard to work with at the moment.

@flaw3dgenius222

6 ай бұрын

@@TotallyEV Thats a pity... ive whittled my new car down to the Megane Techno (normal sound system) and Iconic ( harmon kardon) and the Sportage GT Line ( normal soundsystem) ... totally put off the Sportage after this video. Seems the GTLine S is a must . Guess il need to visit Renault very soon to hear the difference.

@TotallyEV

6 ай бұрын

@@flaw3dgenius222 let us know how you get on!

I have had a Kia Sportage 1.6T GDi Hybrid GT Line Luxury ('S' in UK) on order in pearlescent white/black two tone since 3rd February 2023. I can't wait to get the car, as i'm running around in a Nissan Note 1.2 that i bought in May after selling my previous car - a white Jeep Wrangler Overland! I had this for 2 years and absolutely loved it, but it was time to get a more refined SUV and after much research and test driving a various number of vehicles including Audi Q2, Audi Q3, Hyundai Tucson, Volvo XC40, Mercedes Benz GLB, Nissan Qasquai, Nissan X-Trail and the I opted for the kia, just loved the inside, loved the look, the warranty, the amount of boys toys and everything and super excited as its not due to arrive until mid December, but still not got firm date yet. Here's hoping it'll be slightly earlier than anticipated. Anyone else received their car already - anyone got the same as mine. I live in Cyprus - anyone in Cyprus there got one that wants to comment. cheers in advance.

@TotallyEV

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@adaml99a

6 ай бұрын

There is something about the Sportage that makes it standout compared to the others. You made the right decision about getting the GT Line S. I’m kicking myself a bit I didn’t go for one instead opting for just the GT Line.

Great video! Exactly the review I’ve been looking for. I pick up my new GT Line next week and have been a little concerned about the audio quality. Sounds like it’s justified after watching this.

@TotallyEV

8 ай бұрын

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review and found it helpful!

@chillstep4life

6 ай бұрын

Would be curious to know your opinion of your GT H&K speakers. Does it meet or exceed your expectations?

@adaml99a

6 ай бұрын

@@chillstep4life the sound quality and performance in my GT Line has been a disappointment, if I’m being honest. Incidentally, my new Sportage had an issue after two weeks which saw the car returned to the dealership for three weeks. While it was there, they loaned me a GT Line S Ceed and the sound quality from the upgraded system was much much better. In hindsight, I should have got a GT Line S, but that would have cost another £3K on the vehicle purchase price, which is excessive - just a shame they don’t offer an upgraded sound as a standalone option - I would have jumped for it!

@chillstep4life

6 ай бұрын

@@adaml99a Thanks for the reply. Just out of curiosity does your GT Line have the H&K sound system? I was under the impression that it did, but you said GT Line S has the upgraded sound system. I ask because im in the US. It seems the naming scheme is different from US vs EU. US has LX, EX, and SX prestige (for hybrids). I definitely like the look of the sportage, but I cant compromise with sound quality. Driving while listening to music is to enjoyable for me.

@adaml99a

6 ай бұрын

@@chillstep4life no worries at all. The GT Line is just the standard speaker configuration; 6 speakers and 300 watt. The GT Line S, which is the top trim in the UK, has 8 speakers and 340 watt H&K. It certainly made a difference and was enjoyable, but it wasn’t the best sound I’ve heard in a car recently. My stolen 22 plate Toyota Rav4 had JBL speakers and I felt it was better. But obviously it’s all down to personal preference.

I'm picking the GT Line S with the November upgrade which I'm told helps

@TotallyEV

4 ай бұрын

Enjoy!

I purchased a Kia Sportage GT line recently and the factory stereo is absolutely crap despite the fancy harman kardon brand. The stereo is poor even by entry level standards and shocking in what is supposed to be a top of the range model. It's not easy of cheap to get aftermarket upgrades either.

@TotallyEV

5 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear!

@rufdymond

4 ай бұрын

Was it a GT Line or GT Line S they have totally different systems.

@kobebenedicto9715

4 ай бұрын

Have you had a chance to explore after market upgrades? Not sure if the harmon Kardon amp can be upgraded

@prep74

3 ай бұрын

@@kobebenedicto9715 Yes I have. It's not like the old school days of just dropping in better speakers or upgrading the amp. Everything is integrated running through a digital sound processor so to upgrade, you need to change all the speakers and amp and with the sportage, intall a subwoofer somewhere. I have been to a couple places and the cost of a proper upgrade is around 2 to 3k and that will not give a sound matching some of the euro cars but rather something that is more acceptable in a $60k car.

@kobebenedicto9715

3 ай бұрын

@@prep74 Yeah it's annoying how they integrate everything else off the "music" amp. Had one audio shop tell me that upgrading the amp could make all of the car alerts sound louder which would be a nightmare. Let me know if you take the plunge and get a new system. I am hearing that the recent software update has improved the audio. Give that a go too. I get my car in a few weeks so I'll test it out then.

I got the sx prestige and the audio is worse than i initially thought. I need go upgrade it but i dont know where to do that

@TotallyEV

4 ай бұрын

Look for audio specialists in your area!

The Harmon Kardon is terrible too! Lol

@TotallyEV

7 ай бұрын

🙃

Carry a lot in the boot and/or passengers and the acoustics change considerably. Anything from 30 decibels is Tinnitus-inducing. Do not believe the manufacturers output like you wouldn't their miles per gallon. Audio High Fidelity is a science. Nearly everyone makes the same mistakes and they add the maximum speaker outputs together. Which is completely incorrect. Impedance will restrict the output in such a small area because the speakers are too close together. I see it all the time and many retail stores do not have the space to give the true immersive experience. They use a specific excerpt piece to fool you with digital enhancements. Ever got home with your purchase to listen to an almost completely flat sound? Once the capacitors in the amplifier have reached their limit the output will go no higher. In most systems it will quote higher figures than are actually available because of the constraints of the capacitors. How many home systems do you see the speakers placed at ankle-levels? The acoustics are governed by the furnishings. You are welcome.

@TotallyEV

4 ай бұрын

Really don't know how most of that had relevance with this audio system, but thanks for sharing lol.

@JoseGonzalez-dc6jh

Ай бұрын

Tha sound system in my 2024 kia sportage SX prestige is disgusting