Kia Sportage vs Ssangyong Korando: Korean crossover comparo

Photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza

MOTOR vehicles imported from South Korea have gained market share in the Philippines not only because of their greatly improved quality over the last few years, but also because of the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) that took effect this 2016.

When AKFTA reduced tariffs on Korean-made vehicles from 20 percent to 5 percent, a subsequent reduction in retail prices was generally expected.

However, the Korean brands Hyundai and Kia had already gone upscale in the automotive market, so much so that the prices of their best-selling models nearly match those of the leading Japanese brands with the exception of pickup trucks, which the Koreans do not sell here.

Chinese brands like BAIC and BYD are trying to fill up the resulting gap in the demand for lower-end, more affordable vehicles, especially in the subcompact and compact car segments.

China’s Foton, the newest member of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi), is pushing its own brand of commercial vehicles: large trucks, buses, vans, pickups and sport utility vehicles.

Indian brands such as Tata and Mahindra have recently joined the fray.
SsangYong re-entered the Philippine market this year, probably to offer a median line between the upscale Korean nameplates and the low-cost Chinese nameplates.

The Korando diesel compact SUV is one of the nameplates that SsangYong sold in the Philippines in the 1990s, when SsangYong had a technology partnership with Mercedes-Benz and produced the Musso, MB 100 and Rexton.
Since the latest generation Korando and the 2016 Kia Sportage GT Line are both 2.0-liter, diesel-powered, AWD compact SUVs imported from Korea, the opportunity came to make a comparo after I had tested one after the other.

Driving impressions

The new Sportage is powered by a 2.0-liter, in-line 4 cylinder, e-VGT (variable geometry turbo) DOHC, 16-valve diesel engine producing 162 hp/4000 rpm, and 402 Newton meters max torque at 2750 rpm.
The GT Line is a new addition to the Sportage stable, tuned for sharper handling and a slightly firmer ride.

On the road, the Sportage provides a sense of solidity and impressive noise isolation, with light to moderate throttle, and the smooth 6-speed automatic transmission contributing to general driveability.

But when you use the paddle shifters to heighten throttle response, and once peak torque falls off beyond 2750 rpm, power delivery is fairly flat.

In other words, the Sportage, whether GT or EX, is not really performance-tuned.

AWD on demand and excellent grip make the GT Line a secure car, but not entertaining due to a lack of steering feel and evident body roll.

Stylish

Starting in 2010, the Sportage began looking more stylish due to the inputs of chief designer Peter Schreyer, who was pirated from Audi by Kia Motors and eventually promoted as president.
The exterior of the fourth generation 2016 Sportage is totally different from the outgoing model although it retains Kia’s hallmark “tiger-nose” grille.

Quad “ice-cube” LED fog lamps, higher-set swept-back projector-type headlights, chrome moldings, skid plates, metal-looking rear underbody, and 19-inch alloy wheels distinguish the new Sportage GT Line AWD from the less costly front-wheel-drive EX variants.

Although the 2016 Sportage looks smaller than its immediate predecessor, headroom and legroom in the cabin have been increased as well as cargo space.

Refinement and a well-equipped interior are what immediately strike you about the GT Line.

Inside, high quality materials, cloth, leather and stitching are neatly integrated to make the cabin attractive, modern and sophisticated.

The instruments, infotainment, and interface system are logically located in the center of the dashboard, while the control zone is within easy reach while driving.

Forward visibility is excellent because of thinner A-pillars, but rearward visibility is limited by the thick C-pillars.

The GT Line is equipped with a rear parking system, but I didn’t find it as helpful as the Korando’s reverse rear view camera.

The NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels of the Sportage are minimal compared to the Korando, although the engine also becomes noisy under load.
Summing up, the 2016 Kia Sportage GT Line AWD is a stylish family-oriented compact SUV with a premium, quiet and richly kitted cabin, excellent refinement and comfort, and a firm but pliant ride despite the large 19-inch wheels and low-profile 245 mm rubber.

At P1.795 million, the Sportage costs P405,000 more than the SsangYong Korando AWD ELX, but it has a few goodies the Korando doesn’t have, such as six airbags (the Korando has only two), smart key with start/stop pushbutton, panoramic sunroof, front and rear silver skid plate, eco mode/drive mode, rain-sensing wipers, and satin chrome side garnish.

2016 SsangYong Korando AWD ELX

The top-of-the-line SsangYong Korando is propelled by a 2.0-liter, in-line 4-cylinder, turbocharged direct injection, water-cooled diesel engine delivering 146 hp/4000 rpm and 360 Nm/2500 rpm max torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

Its top speed is claimed to be 185 kph, and it hits 100 kph from zero in 9.0 seconds.

Compared to the Sportage, the Korando has a noisy engine, and the AT undergoes a very noticeable shift shock when the engine is not yet warmed up.

It is not as refined as the Sportage and feels heavier to drive with a bigger turning circle, but it seems to have a lot more pulling power and feels surefooted.

Its AWD system reportedly works well off-road, driven through streams (ground clearance 2,650 mm), and up and down steep inclines.

The Korando is nice to drive in town, soaking up bumps quite well.

While body lean is pronounced through corners, even if you are not driving fast, the solidly built Korando is comfortable for long trips as it is stable and smooth to drive with cruise control, good steering, good suspension, and good road view forward.

The Korando behaves well coming out of junctions very fast, in fact you have to watch your speed as the engine is responsive and easily exceeds the limit.

Space and practicality are the Korando’s strongest points. The cabin is roomy enough for five adults with three people in the back seated comfortably because of a wide middle seat and flat floor.

The large trunk has a practical shape as there is no loading lip, and the 60/40 split backseat folds completely flat to extend cargo space from 486 liters to 1,312 liters.

Puddle lamps

SsangYong likes to point out that the Korando skull cap body color side mirrors have integrated turn lamps, puddle lamps, and electric power auto fold.

Inside, the Korando’s audio system with six speakers, 7-inch LCD touchscreen, HD, DVD, MP3, Aux-in, Bluetooth, USB and mirror link capability is another attraction.

On the other hand, the plastics in the cabin are not soft-touch quality, and the 7-inch LCD touchscreen washes out in daylight. It is legible only at night when you turn on the lights.

The hard plastics are somewhat offset by wood veneer on the glovebox, faux aluminum accents, black leather seats, and leather door trim upholstery.

Ergonomics is good, controls are easily at hand, vision is great through windows as well and assisted by the reverse camera and rear parking sensors.

The exterior, styled by renowned Italian automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, has a double section grille with a large SsangYong badge and swooping headlights, flared wheel arches, angular front bumper, matte black accent all around the body, and new rear light clusters.

Bottom line, at P1.390 million, the 2016 Korando AWD EXE has almost all the kit that the much more expensive 2016 Kia Sportage GT Line AWD has.

It is roomy, practical and offers excellent value for money via a strong turbo diesel engine and solid build quality with a 2-ton towing capacity.