Kia Sportage - 2 or 4 WD?

[ALH]

In the market for a Sportage but can't make up my mind whether to pay the extra £1000 for the 4 wheel drive version. I've managed OK for the past 40 years towing with 'normal' saloon or hatchback cars and have never been in a position where I have needed 4 WD.

Would be grateful for any views as to which to go for - and why

Thanks,

Al

 

[Heethers]

Four be Four every time especially now with all the snow around, invaluable in wet on site.

 

[Di3]

Hi Al

We purchased XS on 58 plate back in October, its 4WD, but not used 4WD for towing as yet but did use the other day due to thick snow at home, we think its a fantastic car expecially when you consider cost against similar 4x4's, and like you have used normal salon car for towing over last 10 years. The car drives on 2DW and automatically switches to 4WD when necessary, but also has button to switch if required.

Got diesel and found similar fuel consumption to previous car which was Vectra.

Also easy for getting in and out of vechicle as step into rather than down into!

Hope this helps

Di & Andy

 

[xtrailman]

I am on my 3rd 4 wheel drive car, i will never by a 2wd again, generally were i live, there is always a steep hill, the xtrail will just about always get up, even with the worst weather, it must have its limits, but i as yet have not had it fail me.

Extra traction on WET roads, extra traction on WET grass, you will have a small weight penalty, and you MAY pay more at the pumps, but my 171bhp xtrail returns just short of 40mpg driving locally, and most of the time is only in front wheel drive, switching to 4x4 on demand.

Not sure if the sportage has the auto function, but i was always happy with the audi quattro i had.

Get the 4x4, you will not regret it.

 

[ALH]

Thanks for your replies. I thought the concensus would be in favour of 4 WD, but I hoped I could save some money

Please see my Part 2 question.

Al

 

[Douglas_374404558]

HI AL i have a 08 plate KIA Sportage as said before about 4WD the Sportage starts off in 4WD up until 18mph then goes into 2WD then when speed returns to under 18mph it then returns to 4WD .OR you push the switch on the dash to keep it in 4WD ALSO you get 7 yrs warrenty Bumper to Bumper so great value for what you pay i get 40/42 solo and about 25/27 towing a 1500kgs Swift 550 van .Also brilliant in this snow we are getting up here in Scotland will go through 14/16" of snow without any problems .only problems i have had was had to get new set of tyres at 20,000 miles .with the weight of your van you could get any ammount of cars to tow your van without 4WD

all the best for your search Duggie

hope this helps Duggie

 

[Douglas_374404558]

Hi Al

We purchased XS on 58 plate back in October, its 4WD, but not used 4WD for towing as yet but did use the other day due to thick snow at home, we think its a fantastic car expecially when you consider cost against similar 4x4's, and like you have used normal salon car for towing over last 10 years. The car drives on 2DW and automatically switches to 4WD when necessary, but also has button to switch if required.

Got diesel and found similar fuel consumption to previous car which was Vectra.

Also easy for getting in and out of vechicle as step into rather than down into!

Hope this helps

Di & Andy

HI DI you might be getting a bit mixedup with the 4x4 Sportage it starts of in 4WD up to 18mph then reverts to 2WD then when speed brops back to under 18mph its back into 4WD OR you can hold it in 4WD with the switch and locks the (diff)

its not like the Xtrail but just as good if not better

hope this helps

Duggie

 

[ALH]

Thanks very much for that information Duggie - I assume you have the diesel version?

Al

 

[Garfield]

Why buy a car with all the disadvantages of a 4x4 without having the one good thing that is 4 wheel drive, for us, an MPV (Ford s-max) is the most practical but I wish there was a 4 wheel drive version, I don't want any offroad cabability, just drive to all 4 wheels so I can go uphill on wet grass and I can plant my foot in the axminster at junctions without leaving

 

[Douglas_374404558]

Thanks very much for that information Duggie - I assume you have the diesel version?

Al

HI! Again AL yes its a diesel just also have to say that mine goes into the garage tuesday to get the clutch looked at (pedal right up before it bites )only done 20,450 mls the clutch is supposed to be self adjusting so Kia are saying that there is something wrong somewhere (all on warrenty so not so bad)

cheers Duggie