Comparo: 2011 Kia Sportage SX vs. Volkswagen Tiguan Highline 4MOTION

Sports Crossovers

Is the Kia Sportage or the VW Tiguan the best mix of small, fun-to-drive utility? By John LeBlanc Listen up. Today’s subject is the evolution of the car. A self-propelled vehicle that originated 125 years ago in Germany, popularized by American Henry Ford during the beginning of the 20th century, and arguably as one of the most significant (for good or for worse) human inventions of all time. Now, up until the last quarter-century, the evolution of the overall form of the car had pretty much remained the same, with either two- or four-doors and a cargo hold in the shape of a trunk or a wagon/hatchback rear opening. But then, starting in the 1980s, the form of the automobile rapidly evolved. All of a sudden, customers started buying cars of varying shapes and configurations for their daily transportation they would have never considered before, like minivans, pickup trucks and sports-utility-vehicles, culminating in the fusion of car and SUV—today’s so-called crossover-utility-vehicles. Yet still, the evolution of our daily transportation continues to evolve. Witness these two offerings: the new-for-2011 Kia Sportage SX and the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline 4MOTION. A pair of crossovers that are also sold as “fun-to-drive”. So of course, I had to ask: which one is the better buy?

SECOND PLACE: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline 4MOTION

You don’t have to be a genetic engineer to suss out the DNA sources of Volkswagen’s compact Tiguan crossover. Introduced for 2009, VW describes its Tiguan as “50% car, 50% SUV, 100% fun”. Like many in its class, the Tig is essentially a blend of compact hatchback (in this case, the German automaker’s familiar Golf) with a taller body and the availability of all-wheel-drive. The five-passenger VW is available in front-wheel-drive for as little as $27,875. Yet to match the new topline Sportage SX in features, you’ll need to jump up to the top-level all-wheel-drive Tiguan Highline 4MOTION, which starts at $37,775, plus, in our tester’s case, a $3,225 technology package (navigation; Dynaudio 300-watt audio system/30 GB hard drive; rearview camera) and $1,700 Sport Package (18-inch alloy wheels/tires; bi-Xenon headlights; sport suspension). While the Golf can come with a multitude of power sources, all Tiguans are powered by the Golf GTI’s turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-lite four-cylinder. Using VW’s small car heritage as a starting point, it’s no surprise the Tiguan betters the Sportage in quality of interior materials and refinement in the ride and handling departments. From the Tiguan’s driver’s seat, the crossover is a virtual facsimile of the Golf’s well-crafted and ergonomically sound interior—even if you do sit a bit taller in the saddle. All of the driver touchpoints—steering wheel, shifter, and pedals—are well-placed for spirited driving. And compared to the Kia, the VW’s interior feels more upscale, with richer materials used throughout. From a ride and handling standpoint, the Tiguan really does drive like a taller GTI. Its German-car engineering is most obvious in the small crossover’s steering. It offers more feel than the Kia, and initially bites into corners with more verve. Both of these sporty crossovers wear low-profile tires with tall 18-inch wheels. But the Tiguan’s ride is more compliant than the Sportage, yet is as controlled with little body roll in sharp corners. And although both have six gears in their respective automatic gearboxes, we found VW’s Tiptronic more filling to downshift than the slower-to-react Kia ‘box. As good as the VW crossover is to drive, VW hasn’t done a good enough job in making it all that more practical than a GTI. Although is dimensions are similar to its Korean rival, compared the likes of the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the Tiguan is about a forearm’s length shorter, and the lack of interior room suffers significantly. Yes, the Tiguan offers traction at all four wheels. Something GTI owners will have to wait for until the estimated-$40,0000 Golf R shows up. But the Tig is not that much roomier than the Golf, which is the whole point in paying extra for the perceived practical values of any crossover. Hence our winner… BUY THIS CAR IF… If you want Teutonic-quality interior furnishings and ergonomics; near-sports-compact-like steering, ride and handling. DON”T BUY THIS CAR IF… You need some utility in your CUV.

FIRST PLACE: 2011 Kia Sportage SX

Compared to the larger and more conventional Sorento, the second new-for-2011 crossover from Kia is the more tightly wrapped and enthusiast-oriented third-generation Sportage. When first introduced for 2011 last year, the Sportage came only with a naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, in both front- and all-wheel-drive versions. The new topline SX arrives this spring standard with all-wheel-drive and the same 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder that’s also available in the new Optima SX family/sports sedan. Although the VW and Kia crossovers sport similar base prices, for $36,995, the Sportage SX delivers more features you’ll pay extra for on the VW, and a bit more room. To the former range-topping EX Luxury AWD model, the Sportage SX adds a premium sound system, panoramic roof, 18-inch alloy wheels, driver ventilated seat, navigation and Kia’s version of Microsoft Sync dubbed UV—all for $5,705 less than what a similarly-equipped Tiguan costs. Admittedly, the five-passenger Sportage isn’t as roomy as the Sorento (which has an optional third-row of seats for up-to-seven seating.) But it does offer more passenger room (2,832 litres versus 2,698) and cargo room behind its second-row seats (740 litres versus 673) than the tighter fitting Tiguan. From the same amount of displacement, the Kia’s turbo four delivers more horsepower (256 versus 200) and torque (264 versus 207 lb-ft.) than the VW. Yet, with its mandatory six-speed automatic gearbox, the Sportage SX also scores better at the gas pumps: 9.7L/100 km in the city and 7.2L on the highway, compared to the Tiguan’s 10.7L and 8.0L ratings. In these types of vehicles, all-wheel-drive is more about mitigating the negative affects of front-wheel-drive on pavement than hardcore off-roading. And the Kia system offers some tangible advantages over the VW’s. The Tiguan uses a Haldex 4 AWD system that employs a wet multiplate clutch and electronic sensors to feel for any slippage at the front wheels. Only then will rear wheels check in to help. Kia’s system is more proactive, though. Using sensors from its electric steering setup, the Sportage SX’s AWD system kicks in before the front tires have a chance to slide. Not only does this prevent the early (and fun-killing) intervention of electronic stability control, but when you’re diving into a corner, and if  the Kia’s rear rubber begins to slide, the system cranks the front wheels into the direction of slide and the ESP applies a bit of brake and kills off a bit of the gas to help the driver out. Cool. Befitting a small crossover with such a robust mill, the new SX also sports the most driver-oriented suspension setup in the Sportage lineup. For starters, compared to the Sportage EX, the SX’s steering is much more resilient off-centre—just the type of feedback enthusiasts are looking for. And similar to the Optima SX sedan, Kia has outfitted two-stage shock absorbers. This allows the sportiest of Sportages to not only deliver a controlled and comfortable ride on the highway, but also remain relatively flat in hard cornering. We think the Tiguan delivers higher levels of refinement in its feedback to the driver, overall. But the Kia is next-best in this class. And that about sums up why the Sportage SX is our pick. Although we like the luxury feel of the VW’s interior, and the way it drives, the Sportage SX  beats the Tiguan Highline 4MOTION in price, power, fuel economy, and interior room. Overall, if you’re looking for a fun-to-drive compact crossover, the majority of our thumbs go up in favour of the Kia. BUY THIS CAR IF… If you want class-leading value, power and fuel economy; sophisticated AWD system. DON'T BUY THIS CAR IF… You need a luxury car interior; sports compact driving qualities.

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