Kia Sportage (2010-2015) review - Interior and tech

The Sportage's cabin is both pleasingly designed and simple to operate. How simple depends on the specification, as the 1 and 2 models do without the touchscreen operation of the 3 and above trim levels. You’ll not be wanting for connectivity in any though, as even the base models will pair with your mobile for hands-free conversation, while there are steering wheel controls for volume and other entertainment functions on the steering wheel, too. Superficially all the materials look of high quality, but there’s the odd cheap feeling plastic trim item, even if thankfully they’re usually away from most of the areas you’d touch.

There’s plenty of space too with good head- and legroom for four adult passengers - a fifth will squeeze in the back, but you wouldn’t want to do so for long. The boot is a decent size, the opening wide and there’s no sill to negotiate when loading heavier items, while the seatbacks fold with a simple tug of a pull in the back of the boot. They don’t sit entirely flat, but there’s no lip in the floor like many rivals, making sliding in longer loads easier. So the Sportage is a practical family car with all the same technology you’ll get in its competitors, only it’s likely to be cheaper to buy when you normalise for specification.