Kia Motor Corporation has a reputation to carry. It is because the second largest company in South Korea that continuous improvement became mandatory. In order to make its range of vehicle compatible to the global market, the 30% of the share owned by Hyundai Motor Corporation.
In order to cater different markets diverse body styles were introduced. Specifically talking about the Sports Utlity Vehicle, the famous two models have been discussed below.
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage has been part of Kia 4X4 SUV family since 1993 and was basically developed on Mazda Bongo platform. The vehicle had gone through three generations with the first generation being the longest tenure one. The first generation continued from 1993 to 2004 and had multiple issues. The range of issues includes the rear wheels dismounting while driving, safety belts issue and vehicle structure collapse in extreme cases. The body style was 3 door convertible and 5 door crossovers only. The engine displacement came as 2000 CC in diesel and petrol option. The transmission of this generation was 4 speed automatic and 5 speed manual.
The second generation started from 2004 and ended in 2010, with body style shrank to crossover 4 door crossover only. The engine range varied from 2000 CC in petrol and diesel alongside the 2700 CC Delta petrol. The 4 speed automatic alongside 5 speed and 6 speed manual gave the best experience one could have asked for. This generation has improvement for good. The third generation started from 2010 and continued till today, with the 4 door crossover. The engine range came from 1600 CC petrol, 1700 CC turbo diesel, 2000 CC petrol; GDI turbo and turbo diesel. The transmission varied with the 6 speed automatic and manual transmission with the addition of 5 speed manual to the range.
Kia Sorento
The Mid size SUV was basically introduced in 2002, and was basically based on truck platform. It worked best off-road with sport package having remoteness key entry, roof rack, steering wheel wrapped with leather, step bar and alloy wheels being the standard option. The 4X4 system had knob located at the lower panel that aids in grip to the best. The 2400 CC engine and 2500 CC engine were both available in inline 4 technology with the 3300 CC, 3500 CC and 3800 CC available in V6 option. The speed option in manual one was 5 gear and automatic came in two divisions. The first one coming from the year 2002 to 2005 in 4 gear while the second one coming as 5 gear option from 2005 to 2009.
The last generation engine option was the 2400 CC petrol and 2200 CC diesel option that came in inline 4 technology. The 2700 CC and 3500 CC option were available in V6 technology in LPG and petrol fuel type respectively. The manual option included the 5 gears and 6 gear options while the automatic one also had same gear shift stages.
In used SUV market and as best 4X4 option, Kia sales ratio is magnificent.