Kia Sportage sport-utility wears world's first knee airbag
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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WHITEFISH, Mt. -- Scaling steep off-pavement grades, bumping over cross-trail logs, sloshing across rocky streambeds and maneuvering through woodland forests turned out to be easy work for a sport-utility vehicle that applies engine muscle to all four wheels.
It was a ride on the wild side in outback Montana, where bear and moose measure larger than dimensions of this vehicle equipped with off-road hardware.
But there's power to spare in a compact package stocked with comfortable bucket seats and a broad expanse of window glass which combines with the tall body stance to set up a driving position offering keen outward visibility.
Over the rough stuff four 15-inch tires grip with assurance, despite the fact that the wagon plowing through Montana's woods seems like a most unlikely candidate in the rugged and typically macho realm of sport-utes.
Actually, it's an itty-bitty thing that doesn't apppear capable of serious off-road feats, although slick mud or rocky mountain slopes won't stop it.
As a further contradiction, this one's so curvy at all corners that it looks downright cute.
That's Sportage, the 4-wheeling 4-door wagon from Kia.
These names may not be familiar yet because Sportage only rolled into the United States market two years ago, and Kia, an automaker from South Korea, will not complete its national network of dealers until 1998.
Even so, Sportage has experienced strong sales since its 1995 introduction and captured favorable reviews from critics due to its aggressive personality, comfortable ride quality and competitive pricing strategy.
For 1997 editions, Sportage increases equipment for the 2-wheel-drive version and adds safety features to all, including the world's first driver's-side airbag for knees.
Why, you may wonder, would a vehicle carry an airbag to shield the driver's knees?
This inflatable knee bolster, when activated in conjunction with the conventional chest-high airbag mounted in the steering wheel's hub, has been proven to reduce injuries from frontal crashes far more than when deploying only the chest inflatable.
By adding a knee bolster during an accident, the lower airbag prevents the driver from slipping below dash and thus allows the chest bag to function with ideal placement.
The new knee airbag for Sportage is manufactured in Utah for Kia, then shipped to Korea for assembly.
Teaming with successful producers of subsidiary systems is nothing new to Kia.
Lotus Engineering of England, for instance, developed Sportage's 4-wheel independent suspension system, Germany's Getrag made the gear boxes, as Kelsey-Hayes came up with rear-wheel anti-lock brakes and Bosch LH Motronic did the fuel system.
Mazda owns a small share of Kia, so Kia asked the Japanese automaker to design Sportage's engine, which is then cast by Kia in Korea.
The 4-cylinder plant, displacing 2.0 liters, consists of an iron block with aluminum heads. It stacks twin cams on top and plugs 16 valves into the equation, then links to the multi-port electronic fuel injection system by Bosch.
Output runs to 130 hp.
When hooked to the manual 5-speed shifter, it produces snappy off-the-line action and ample mid-range torque that's needed when venturing off pavement.
A 4-speed electronic automatic is available across the spectrum of models, which consists of base and deluxe EX trimmings for both 4x2 and 4x4 Sportages.
Montana tests behind the wheel of 1997 models included stick and automatic shifters, plus rear-wheel and all-wheel traction modes.
On pavement in town traffic, the 4x2 felt quick and agile, convenient to maneuver and easy to park.
On dirt, the 4-wheeler acted tougher than it looks.
Sportage's serious handling hardware starts with a stiff chassis, which amounts to a ladder-like boxed rectangle of steel with four tubular cross braces and stamped steel cross member.
At front and rear, crumble zones have been created to absorb impact forces from a collision.
The 4-wheel independent suspension setup that Lotus devised makes Sportage fun to drive on pavement and quite competent when headed off it.
In front, the double wishbone arrangement teams with coil springs, tubular hydraulic shocks and anti-roll bar, while in the rear a multi-link design -- in lieu of the typical 4x4's multi-leaf spring -- adds a sporty snap.
Shocks, set behind the axle to lessen angularity, dampen harsh bumps for a smoother off-road ride quality.
Steering, stemming from a recirculating ball and nut design, uses engine speed-sensitive power assistance so the driver may turn the wheel easily when parking yet cut quickly at higher speeds for better response.
The part-time 4-wheel-drive transfer case from Japan's Kanda has a chain drive with synchronization for shifting on the fly (below 15 mph) from 2-wheel to 4-wheel traction mode. To pull out of 4x4, you must stop and reverse direction for a foot or so.
All Sportages roll on 15-inch Michelin R-rated radials.
For an off-road vehicle, its ground clearance of 7.9 inches may look low, but I experienced no problems. As a bonus, since the chassis slinks you don't need a ladder to climb aboard.
Inside, Sportage laces its deal with comfort gear.
Front bucket seats feel supportive and firm. A rear bench, rated for three, works best for two, but there's more than enough space in all seats for legs and heads. Two rear doors make entry and exit easy for backseat riders.
Sportage EX contains bonus items like a roof rack, cruise control and power exterior mirrors. Still, the base Sportage has amenities usually considered optional, such as power windows, a digital clock and tachometer. Air conditioning shows up as an option for all editions.
1997 KIA SPORTAGE
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| 1997 KIA SPORTAGE VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Subcompact sport-utility |
| Model Options: |
Subcompact sport-utility |
| Wheelbase: |
104.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
159.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.0-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear 4x2, 4x4 |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/rear ABS |
| Airbags: |
1 (driver) + 1 (driver's knee) |
| Gas Mileage: |
4x2: 19/23 mpg
4x4: 18/22 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 15,500 to $ 19,000 |
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