Kia sportage 1st generation 128 frame. New comment

The unconscious purchase of the first generation Kia Sportage can be a fatal mistake for those who are looking for a comfortable and inexpensive SUV. In terms of its off-road capabilities, it is not inferior even to such cars as the Nissan Patrol or the Toyota Land Cruiser. However, Sportage with a rigid rear axle is not very comfortable and not very obedient. And in comparison with classmates - Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV-4 - it seems that such a parameter as control accuracy is completely absent.

As for all-wheel drive, the Sportage is normally rear-wheel drive. The front axle is connected only manually. In return, we get a transfer case, and in some versions even a self-locking rear axle differential.

If you choose a Korean SUV consciously, being ready for certain "victims", then there will be no disappointment. Understanding motorists know how brave the first Sportage is off-road.

Typical malfunctions

Sportage I breaks down not often. However, one must be aware that the SUV debuted on the market in 1994, and the first copies are already over 20 years old. In the case of them, it is very difficult to talk about reliability, because about 80% of the components fail due to their advanced age. And yet the old Kia is a very hardy and reliable car. Although the off-road vehicle factory components are of good quality, cars with still factory parts are more prone to malfunction than those that already use quality replacements.

The weak points include the wheel bearings and the front axle coupling. The latter is used to forcibly "disable / enable" the front wheels. But the manufacturer also installed an automatic clutch. It all depended on the year of manufacture and the destination market. After restyling in 1997, all-wheel drive could be turned on while driving - with an automatic clutch. Determining the type of coupling installed is quite difficult. Everything was decided by one of the previous owners. An automatic clutch, as a rule, rarely takes care of more than 100,000 km. In machines often operated in "field" conditions, it serves even less - about 50-70 thousand km.

Thus, almost all specimens survived the replacement of the clutch. If the original was installed again, then theoretically the owner will have a new repair ahead. In practice, a failure occurs at the moment the front wheel drive is connected. You will have to replace it again - with a new automatic original, or with a high-quality manual replacement for $ 150-200. The latter option had its drawbacks. Usually, few people want to constantly switch the clutch. Therefore, there is a choice: either to move everywhere in 2WD mode, or with all-wheel drive constantly on. But then the fuel consumption will increase, and the transmission will make noise. On the other hand, the resource of the mechanical clutch is large enough to forget about the problem once and for all.

The transmission does a good job with a small, albeit not lightweight, SUV that weighs about a ton and a half. Long drive shafts, rear axle and front suspension arms. Thanks to the gearbox and gearbox. Although many may not like the need for regular maintenance (replacement and oil control in the gearbox and axles). But there are no claims to durability.

Another weak point is shock absorbers and springs. Shock absorbers are ineffective, and springs often break. In the event of a breakdown, it is better to use more powerful branded substitutes - they are more expensive, but they will relieve problems for a long time. Many people install larger (wider) wheels on the SUV, which accelerates the wear of the suspension components.

The braking system is not effective enough (50 meters from 100 km / h), so considering the Kia Sportage as a tug, you should consider using high-quality brake discs and pads.

Steering of an off-road vehicle of screw type. On the one hand, it practically does not provide any steering precision. At speeds above 90 km/h, the car behaves unpredictably. On the other hand, this type of control is very reliable and durable.

Another disadvantage and at the same time an advantage is the frame structure of the body. The frame protects the body from excessive torsional loads. However, it is subject to corrosion. Body rust attacks with less intensity.

Of the unpleasant little things, fogging of glasses can be noted, especially in winter. Therefore, it is very important to take care of the ventilation system and the technical condition of the air conditioner. After 1999, the problem was virtually eliminated.

Engines

Under the hood of the Kia Sportage I you can find one of three 2-liter engines: two petrol and one turbodiesel. Gasoline units of two types - with an 8-valve and 16-valve block head. Both have the same block design and develop 95 and 128 hp. respectively. The 8-valve does not strike with dynamics - 18.4 s to 100 km / h, but fortunately it breaks very rarely. The 16-valve is slightly faster at 14.7 s to 100 km/h, and has decent traction. True, the consumption is decent - an average of about 13 liters per 100 km, and in the city over 15 liters. The 4-speed automatic version is a little slower and even more voracious.

The Kia gasoline engine is modern for that time, but it is no longer simple and requires some maintenance. With regular changes of oil, belts, spark plugs and checking the condition of the cooling system, it does not cause any problems. With the exception of non-systemic failures of electrical elements of auxiliary equipment, typical for older cars. Nevertheless, none of these malfunctions is capable of immobilizing a car for several days, requiring large financial costs for repairs in return.

Of the diesel units, the old 2.2-liter aspirated was originally installed, which was used on the Mazda B2200 and Ford Ranger pickups. The motor from the 80s developed only 63 hp. It makes no sense to talk about some kind of dynamics. Later, a 2-liter turbodiesel with a return of 83 hp began to be installed. Such an SUV accelerates to 100 km / h in 20 seconds, and fuel consumption does not exceed 10 liters per 100 km.

The owner of the 2-liter diesel versions had to face serious problems: costly repairs to the block head and crank mechanism. In addition, there were malfunctions in the operation of the injection pump control unit. Some owners note difficulties with the launch.

The exhaust system of both engines is subject to corrosion, and the increased vibrations of diesel engines accelerate its damage. Sometimes the immobilizer fails, less often the starter.

Operating costs

Maintenance costs, given the good reliability and durability of a gasoline-powered vehicle, should be relatively low. However, aspects such as operating conditions and mechanical damage must be taken into account. We should not forget that the Kia Sportage 1 is a real SUV, and therefore many use it for its intended purpose. Fuel costs will not be too high if the engine is converted to run on gas.

Spare parts prices are not high. Quite a lot of original parts can be purchased for a reasonable price. But you can use a fairly wide range of quality substitutes. Only the most unusual elements can be difficult, especially when it comes to attachments and electrical components. Car services can easily cope with the repair and maintenance of the first Sportage.

Market situation

There are several dozen ads for the sale of the first generation Kia Sportage on the secondary market. The most preferred specimens assembled after restyling in 1999. Their cost is from 4 to 8 thousand dollars. Cars of the first years of production had rather meager equipment. There are no familiar today: ABS, airbags and air conditioning. But even the basic versions had electric windows and power steering. After the update, both ABS and 2nd airbags appeared.

Among the proposals there are a small number of diesel versions and modifications with a gun. It is quite difficult to find an extended version of the Wagon with a trunk increased by 100 liters.

Conclusion

The first generation Kia Sportage should be chosen consciously as a small SUV for everyday use for its intended purpose, and not as a luxury crossover. Avoid versions with diesel engines and automatic.

The Kia Sportage was first introduced to the world community in 1993, becoming the first SUV in the South Korean automaker's lineup. The car was produced in several versions of the body, survived the restyling (1999) and safely became a thing of the past in 2004, freeing the conveyor for the second generation of the Kia Sportage. Meanwhile, in the domestic used car market, the first generation of Kia Sportage is still in great demand, and therefore it is worth considering this SUV in more detail.

The appearance of the 1st generation KIA Sportage does not shine with originality and sophistication. The first generation of the SUV is distinguished by the simplicity of harmonious lines that create a friendly look and inspire additional confidence in the driver. The length of the body varies in the range of 3760 - 4340 mm and depends on the modification of the car. The Kia Sportage I is 1735 mm wide and 1650 mm high. Depending on the version, the weight of the car varies from 1513 to 1543 kg. The ground clearance of the SUV is 200 mm. The body is fixed to the frame and made of durable metal, but still manages to rust in some places, especially in the lower parts of the doors and at the rear arches. In this case, most often rust is reliably hidden under a plastic body kit, so additional anti-corrosion treatment will not interfere.

The interior of the first generation Kia Sportage is very spacious and comfortable. The front panel is very functional and ergonomic, but over time it starts to rattle, and sometimes quite strongly. The front and rear seats provide a decent level of ride comfort for all distances, and the feel and feel of the interior materials will impress even today. A significant disadvantage of the cabin is the low level of sound insulation.

However, this is due only to an insufficient level of technology at the time of the release of the car, and not to the negligence of the manufacturer.

If we talk about technical characteristics, then five engines are provided for the Kia Sportage I at once: three gasoline and two diesel engines. Most often in Russia there are cars with a 4-cylinder gasoline power unit with a volume of 2.0 liters and a power of 118 or 128 hp. On cars manufactured before 1999, a 2.0-liter gasoline unit with a capacity of 95 hp prevails. The diesel range is represented by a 2.2-liter naturally aspirated engine with 63 hp provided by Mazda, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 83 hp.

The maximum speed developed by the SUV does not exceed 172 km / h, while acceleration to 100 km / h takes from 14.7 to 20.5 seconds, depending on the type of engine installed. Average fuel consumption: 9 - 14.7 liters.

The first generation Kia Sportage is equipped with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The car has a front-engine layout and could be produced in an all-wheel drive version using a transmission with a hard-wired front axle. The lack of a center differential limits the ability to use the benefits of all-wheel drive only in icy or off-road conditions. In addition, a chain drive is used in the razdatka, which begins to make noise over time.

At the front, the first generation of the KIA Sportage is equipped with an independent spring suspension with a very reliable durability resource. The only exception is the stabilizer bushings, which can hardly withstand 40 thousand km. run. At the rear, the 1st generation Kia Sportage is equipped with a very reliable dependent spring suspension, which has a long service life (up to 200 thousand km). All modifications of the Kia Sportage I are equipped with power steering, but on models manufactured before 1999, there are serious problems with the reliability of the “return” tube, which often breaks. The front wheels are equipped with disc brakes, and the rear wheels are equipped with drums, which is typical for most cars of that time. There are no complaints about the braking system, it works perfectly.

For its time, the Kia Sportage had a fairly extensive package. Already in the basic version, the car was equipped with a central lock, full power accessories, an immobilizer, a digital clock, an adjustable steering column and many other equipment. For 2012, the price of the first generation Kia Sportage in the Russian used car market averages 100,000 - 300,000 rubles.

The Sportage is an iconic model for Kia. This name has existed for a quarter of a century, and the car itself has changed 4 generations.

I generation Sportage engines

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Kia Sportage debuted in 1993. This is the first and only time the Sportage has had multiple body styles. In addition to the standard five-door version, an open-top three-door and a car with an extended rear overhang (Sportage Grand) were offered.

The Korean manufacturer created its first SUV on the basis of a Mazda car. Sportage uses a frame structure. Most of the time, the SUV is rear-wheel drive, the front end is hard-wired.

Engines were also transferred from the Japanese. Under the hood of the Sportage, one could find a two-liter gasoline engine in three different versions and two diesel engines: 2.0 and 2.2 liters.

F.E.

ICE series FE Kia began to produce under license from Mazda in 1992. This is a four-cylinder naturally aspirated unit with a cast iron block and an aluminum cylinder head. Before being installed in the Sportage, the motor was slightly modified, in particular, the intake receiver was changed, a different camshaft was installed and the compression ratio was lowered.

There were two versions: with 8- and 16-valve block head. The first could only be found on Korean-assembled cars until 1999. This motor develops only 95 horsepower compared to the 118 horsepower of the 16-valve. In addition, it has a record low compression ratio - 8.6.

Starting in 1995, engines with FE-DOHC with a double camshaft appeared under the hood. The cylinder diameter and piston stroke were left unchanged.

R2 and RF

The first generation Sportage was equipped with two diesel engines. One of them is the 2.2-liter R2 without turbocharging. It produces only 63 horsepower and 127 Nm of torque. This power unit could previously be found on the Mazda Bongo minibus. It was installed on the Sportage until 2002.

The second motor is a diesel modification of the FE series unit. The block itself has not undergone any changes, but the cylinder head is completely different. The Korean designers themselves have already added a turbine to it, thanks to which the power has increased to 83 horses. In terms of reliability, this engine is less preferable than gasoline ones. The diesel engine operates under greater load, plus it has a more complex design (prechamber ignition, turbine, intercooler).

Second generation Sportage engines

In 2004 there was a change of generations. And at the same time, the concept of the car itself has changed. Sportage has ceased to be a frame SUV, moving into the crossover class. It is based on a new monocoque body and Elantra platform.

G4GC

The most common engine on the second-generation Sportage was the two-liter four-cylinder petrol. This is a simple and unpretentious unit. Cast iron block, aluminum cylinder head. In the timing drive, there is a belt that needs to be changed every 50-70 thousand to avoid breakage and damage to the valves on the cylinders. A single phase shifter is installed in the head, which changes the phase angles of the intake valves.
But due to the lack of hydraulic lifters, valve clearances need to be adjusted every 90 thousand km.

D4EA

There are two modifications of the D4EA motor. They differ only in the turbine and attachments. The lower version uses a WGT supercharger and produces 112 horsepower. On a more powerful modification, a VGT turbine and another high-performance fuel pump are used. The engine is considered quite reliable, but expensive components and the considerable age of cars make buying second-generation diesel Sportage a risky business.

G6BA

The top-end second-generation Sportage engine is a 2.7-liter V6. This motor could only be obtained in a configuration with a 4-speed "automatic" and all-wheel drive. Of its features, one can distinguish an aluminum block and cylinder head and a small piston stroke. Hydraulic compensators are installed, but there is no phase change system.
It is advisable to change the timing belt in advance; when it breaks, the pistons bend the valves.

3rd generation Sportage engines

The third generation was released in 2010. The crossover received a bright and dynamic design, in which there was not a hint of the calm appearance of its predecessors. Like the Sportage 2, the new car had front-wheel drive as standard. Four-wheel drive is available for a fee, but its task is not to increase cross-country ability, yet the crossover has become purely asphalt, but to make behavior on slippery types of coverage more confident.

G4KD

G4KD - two-liter gasoline engine. Met on Sportage most often and was the only gasoline engine in the line. There were frequent complaints about this motor related to noisy operation. Diesel sound on a cold engine indicates scuffing on the cylinder walls. Chirring is a feature of the nozzles.

After restyling in 2014, instead of the G4KD engine, they began to install the G4NU engine. It differs in block geometry and timing drive.

D4FD

The 1.7 liter diesel engine is the D4FD engine, which was introduced only in 2010. This is the largest engine in Hyundai's new U series of units. It is equipped with a timing chain drive, two camshafts, each of which has a phase regulator. In addition, a variable geometry VGT turbine is installed.

There are two versions of this engine. On Sportage, only the least powerful one with a return of 115 horses is used. This engine is sensitive to fuel quality. Low-grade diesel fuel quickly disables the injectors, causing the engine to run unevenly.
If the thrust disappeared and jerks appeared, then most likely the fine or coarse filters were clogged.

D4HA

Diesel two-liter engine appeared in 2009. Unlike the 1.7 liter engine, its block is cast from aluminum, not cast iron. The timing drive uses a chain. Hydraulic compensators independently adjust valve clearances. The pressurization system uses a turbine with variable geometry. Just like the junior diesel engine, the D4HA is demanding on fuel quality. In addition, when driving dynamically at high speeds, a small oil consumption appears, it is advisable to monitor its level.

The D4HA engine has two versions: standard and forced up to 184 horses. Both can be found under the hood of the Sportage.

IV generation Sportage engines

The fourth generation Kia Sportage arrived in Russia in 2016, six months after the official premiere in Frankfurt. Technically, the car has not changed much, the crossover is built on a modified platform of its predecessor and inherited engines from it. For example, the diesel engine migrated from under the hood of the Sportage 3 without any changes at all.

G4NA

The base engine for the Sportage is still a 2-liter in-line four-cylinder four. The new unit was designated G4NA, it belongs to the Nu family, which was introduced in 2010. Following current trends, the designers preferred an aluminum block and cylinder head. Both camshafts are equipped with phase shifters for better filling of the cylinders at different speeds.
Hydraulic compensators are also provided, they will save you from manually adjusting the valves every 90 thousand km. The timing chain is used.

G4FJ

The only truly new unit is a petrol turbo four. Fashionable downsizing has reached the Kia crossover. This 1.6-liter engine produces 177 horsepower, which is 27 horses more than its two-liter gasoline counterpart. In addition to the turbine, they are distinguished by a fuel supply system. The G4FJ uses direct injection. The CVVT phase control system is available on both the intake and exhaust shafts.
Hydraulic compensators are not provided, it is necessary to manually adjust the valves every 90 thousand km. Timing chain drive. From the factory, there are three versions of different power: 177, 186 and 204 horsepower.

Much of the credit for improved dynamics belongs to the new dual-clutch robotic transmission. Only paired with it and all-wheel drive is a turbocharged engine available.

The example of Kia Sportage clearly shows how the development of engines takes place. From unpretentious units of a simple design, which produced little power and consumed a lot of fuel, evolution gradually comes to more efficient and complex internal combustion engines with a shorter resource.

Sportage release from 1994 - 2006. ( Sportage 1)

Motors petrol - 2 l. - 8 cells, 2 years old - 16cl,

Diesel engines 2l. TD, 2.2.l. D

The boxes were both automatic and manual.

There were versions of all-wheel drive 4WD and rear-wheel drive 2WD

There were convertible versions with three doors, there were versions of the Grand (elongated), there were ordinary short ones with four doors.

The Kia Sportage was first introduced to the world community in 1993, becoming the first SUV in the South Korean automaker's lineup. The car was produced in several versions of the body, survived the restyling (1999) and safely became a thing of the past in 2004, freeing the conveyor for the second generation of the Kia Sportage. Meanwhile, in the domestic used car market, the first generation of Kia Sportage is still in great demand, and therefore it is worth considering this SUV in more detail. The appearance of the 1st generation KIA Sportage does not shine with originality and sophistication. The first generation of the SUV is distinguished by the simplicity of harmonious lines that create a friendly look and inspire additional confidence in the driver. The length of the body varies in the range of 3760 - 4340 mm and depends on the modification of the car. The width is 1735 mm and its height is 1650 mm. Depending on the version, the weight of the car varies from 1513 to 1543 kg. The ground clearance of the SUV is 200 mm. The body is fixed to the frame and made of durable metal, but still manages to rust in some places, especially in the lower parts of the doors and at the rear arches. In this case, most often rust is reliably hidden under a plastic body kit, so additional anti-corrosion treatment will not interfere.

The interior of the first generation Kia Sportage is very spacious and comfortable. The front panel is very functional and ergonomic, but over time it starts to rattle, and sometimes quite strongly. The front and rear seats provide a decent level of ride comfort for all distances, and the feel and feel of the interior materials will impress even today. A significant disadvantage of the cabin is the low level of sound insulation. However, this is due only to an insufficient level of technology at the time of the release of the car, and not to the negligence of the manufacturer.

If we talk about technical characteristics, then five engines are provided for at once: three gasoline and two diesel engines. Most often in Russia there are cars with a 4-cylinder gasoline power unit with a volume of 2.0 liters and a power of 118 or 128 hp. On cars manufactured before 1999, a 2.0-liter gasoline unit with a capacity of 95 hp prevails. The diesel range is represented by a 2.2-liter naturally aspirated engine with 63 hp provided by Mazda, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 83 hp.

The maximum speed developed by the SUV does not exceed 172 km / h, while acceleration to 100 km / h takes from 14.7 to 20.5 seconds, depending on the type of engine installed. Average fuel consumption: 9 - 14.7 liters.

The first generation Kia Sportage is equipped with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The car has a front-engine layout and could be produced in an all-wheel drive version using a transmission with a hard-wired front axle. The lack of a center differential limits the ability to use the benefits of all-wheel drive only in icy or off-road conditions. In addition, a chain drive is used in the razdatka, which begins to make noise over time.

At the front, the first generation of the KIA Sportage is equipped with an independent spring suspension with a very reliable durability resource. The only exception is the stabilizer bushings, which can hardly withstand 40 thousand km. run. At the rear, the 1st generation Kia Sportage is equipped with a very reliable dependent spring suspension, which has a long service life (up to 200 thousand km). All modifications of the Kia Sportage I are equipped with power steering, but on models manufactured before 1999, there are serious problems with the reliability of the “return” tube, which often breaks. The front wheels are equipped with disc brakes, and the rear wheels are equipped with drums, which is typical for most cars of that time. There are no complaints about the braking system, it works perfectly.

For its time, the Kia Sportage had a fairly extensive package. Already in the basic version, the car was equipped with a central lock, full power accessories, an immobilizer, a digital clock, an adjustable steering column and many other equipment. For 2012, the price of the first generation Kia Sportage in the Russian used car market averages 100,000 - 300,000 rubles. Further, posted earlier, a comparative review of the Chevrolet Niva and KIA Sportage I.

KIA Sportage was chosen as a background for assessing the consumer qualities of Chevrolet Niva. This is not only one of the closest analogues, but also the most affordable and popular Chevrolet Niva among foreign competitors. Note that we do not call the KIA Sportage Russian, although formally it is a domestic car, but developed in Korea and assembled on the territory of the Russian Federation from Korean components.

For the mass Russian buyer, the determining factor is the combination of price and quality. It is clear that in a short test it is impossible to determine the reliability of the car and the assessment of the quality of workmanship is based on an external examination. But everything is clear with the price - eight and a half thousand US dollars for a far from primitive modern SUV - this simply does not happen anywhere in the world, so it is useless to look for a purchase as profitable as the Chevrolet Niva.

Of course, in the Chevrolet Niva, neither ABS, nor airbags, nor air conditioning are offered even for an additional fee, but our motorist will not be discouraged by the absence of such frills. And the fact that the standard equipment includes a ZF power steering can be considered a gift of fate. Considered a bargain, a Kia Sportage car with similar equipment, but with a two-liter engine and two airbags, costs from $16,900, and this is already a twofold difference. In a word, if the price distance between, say, VAZ-211x and the closest import competitors has almost disappeared, then Chevrolet Niva retains a two-fold “margin of safety”. So, in terms of money - a clear victory for the Chevrolet Niva. Now let's see what it's worth.

The construction and design of the first "Niva" 27 years ago became a revelation not only for compatriots "hungry" for cars, but for the whole world. Suffice it to say that the Niva was even exported to Japan, albeit in small quantities. In our opinion, Chevrolet Niva's design cannot be as highly appreciated. The car has its own “face”, and it is quite harmoniously complex, but its appearance has already become outdated, and most importantly, it makes an unnecessarily frivolous impression. However, tastes differ, and we will not impose our point of view, but as an objective criticism, we note that on the test car, the gaps between the headlights and the hood turned out to be too large and uneven from left to right. Subsequently, having examined several samples at a car dealership, we did not find this drawback - either they were specially prepared, or the defect is “floating”. In comparison with the Chevrolet Niva, the appearance of the KIA Sportage is modest and concise, although it is less expressive and recognizable, but you can’t find fault with the cracks and gaps.

Even more contrast in the interior trim of cars. The main detail of the front panel of the Chevrolet Niva interior is made of soft plastic with a pleasant texture and is quite worthy of a good European car, but the greater the dissonance with the “heap” of minor flaws: the door handles are defiantly rude, the self-tapping screws at the bottom of the center console are open, the push-button switches are not very neat and deflectors, inconsistency with the color of the plastic of the front panel and inner door panels. In fact, it's just a shame when little things spoil a high-quality base. On the KIA Sportage, the main part of the front panel is made of hard inexpensive plastic, but everything is done evenly with high quality and it is difficult to find fault with the little things. KIA Sportage is an inexpensive car, especially the Chevrolet Niva, and the lack of height adjustment of the front seats and longitudinal adjustment of the steering wheel is quite understandable, at least the tilt of the steering column changes well. There is nothing to say about the driver's seat of the KIA Sportage, and this is already a virtue, since it is impossible to ignore the shortcomings of the Chevrolet Niva seat - we have not yet met such an amorphous, falling through like an old sofa chair. It seems to cover the body, but does not hold it at all. We do not exclude at all that this is a shortcoming of a limited batch of Chevrolet Niva front seats, since the technology for manufacturing parts from “foam” is very capricious, and in domestic practice, similar results have already been encountered in violation of it.

With equal width and height, the Chevrolet Niva is shorter than the KIA Sportage by 400 mm in overall dimensions and 200 mm in the base. It would seem that the rear passengers of the KIA Sportage should benefit, but the opposite is true - the interior of the Chevrolet Niva is more spacious. The secret of this is simple - a significant part of the useful body height of the KIA is occupied by the frame, and the people in it are seated more horizontally, with outstretched legs, which requires a greater cabin length than with a vertical landing in the Chevrolet Niva. Even beyond comparison with the Sportage, the new Chevrolet Niva pleases with a full-fledged five-seat interior capacity. The trunk, however, is not particularly large, but you can’t blame this, since a further increase in the rear overhang would “kill” the geometric cross. The rear seat folds in parts in a ratio of 60 to 40%, leaving room for two or one passenger. At Sportage the pillow develops only entirely. In general, the Chevrolet Niva is an example of a much more efficient layout than the KIA.

In terms of acceleration dynamics, KIA Sportage naturally wins, Chevrolet Niva needs a modern two-liter engine in all respects. The disadvantage of KIA is a higher level of engine noise during intensive acceleration. Chevrolet Niva, on the other hand, entertains passengers with traditional transmission howls and vibrations - the higher the speed, the stronger.

We approached the assessment of the Chevrolet Niva's handling with a little apprehension, given the rich experience of communicating with its predecessor, but very soon we became convinced that a relatively light steering wheel still brings the minimum necessary information to the driver, and the car, despite body roll, very accurately prescribes turns and imperturbably stable on a straight line. The sensitivity is really low, but quite acceptable. The KIA Sportage also handles well, but is slightly less accurate in corners and not as stable on a high-speed straight with uneven surfaces. We are sure that on winter icy asphalt, the advantage of Chevrolet Niva in handling will be more pronounced due to the permanent all-wheel drive. There is no doubt about the superiority of the Chevrolet Niva in cross-country ability. In terms of traction, both cars are approximately the same - the KIA has a hard-wired front-wheel drive, the Chevrolet Niva has a center differential lock, both have a reduction gear, so basically everything depends on the tires.

But in terms of geometric cross-country ability, the KIA Sportage lags behind - it's not even a centimeter less clearance, but in the low-lying elements of the supporting frame and in the protruding front bumper. In terms of smoothness, both rivals are approximately equal. Chevrolet Niva sways a little more on bumps, but its suspension is more energy-intensive and allows you to more confidently overcome large obstacles, but on small things the KIA Sportage is a little more comfortable. In order not to repeat ourselves, we will make the most concentrated conclusion - Chevrolet Niva is, of course, a more talented car, which is deprived of a proper engine and attention to small problems. With the KIA Sportage, everything is exactly the opposite: it is polished in detail to a shine, and the engine is suitable, but the car is without the “spark of God”. Given the price advantage, the Chevrolet Niva may become a bestseller for a long time, at least in our market, unless that fly in the ointment emerges, which has already spoiled more than one barrel of honey in Russia - extremely low reliability. However, I really want to believe that thanks to Western quality control, the GM-VAZ joint venture will bring it to the required level.