First Impressions

Hyundai’s other brand, Kia, is also busy launching new efforts. The compact Sportage crossover is all-new for 2011, with the kind of attention-grabbing styling that is impossible to miss.

Kia’s bowtie-shaped Schreyer grille is even larger than on the Sorrento. Blade-like headlights ascend the aggressively flared fenders. And that dip where the windshield meets the roof? A new Kia styling trademark.

From the fender over front quarter, to the sliced C-pillar, the new Sportage is bold and athletic. Available 18-inch wheels fill the fender wells.

A 176-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder, shared with the Forte SX, is the base power, and comes mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic. As Kia’s first in-house auto, it fired off quick, seamless shifts on our drive route north of San Francisco. A 2.0-liter turbo-four, good for 274 horsepower, is due later. Front drive is standard with all-wheel drive an option.

The Sportage cabin is compact, but comfortable. The gauge cluster is mounted low and deep in the dash behind a smallish steering wheel. In keeping with another Kia trademark, USB, auxiliary input, and Bluetooth are all standard.

Later this year, UVO, Kia’s brand new infotainment system, will be available as an option on the Sportage.

In dealerships now, the Kia Sportage starts under $20,000.