The Underdog’s Triumph: Kia Sportage Takes the Crown

In a world where the phrase is banned, let’s dive straight into an arena where metal beasts battle it out for the coveted title of ‘Family Car of the Year’. The latest rumble in the automotive jungle concluded with a rather unexpected victor at the 2024 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. The fifth-generation Kia Sportage, a plucky contender from the land famed for its kimchi and K-pop, not only outmaneuvered but outshone its rivals to clinch the top spot in the fiercely competitive ‘Family Car’ category.

Emerging as the first Korean chariot to gallop away with an award in the history of the competition, the Sportage roared past the finish line, leaving the Chery Tiggo8 Pro Max 2.0TGDi 390 Executive and the Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury eating its dust. With a whopping score of 81.9%, it not only won the hearts of the judges but also scored higher than any of the 39 finalists vying for automotive glory this year.

Gary Scott, the maestro at the helm of Kia South Africa, couldn’t contain his glee, proclaiming the Sportage not just as the ultimate urban SUV but as the unbeatable choice for families navigating the concrete jungle. Introduced to the South African savannah in September 2022, this latest iteration of the Sportage came packing a feature-rich arsenal and the muscular might of Kia’s acclaimed 1.6-litre turbocharged GDI engine.

As if not content with just a robust gasoline heart, the Sportage lineup received a dose of diesel dynamism in May 2023, further solidifying its position in a segment where diesel’s dominance has dwindled. Celebrating three decades of evolution, the 2023 refresh introduced a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), making it not just a safe bet but a tech treasure trove on wheels.

With this victory, the Sportage didn’t just park itself in the winners’ circle; it took a victory lap, having already bagged Car Magazine’s “2024 Best Buy Award” in the Midsize SUV category and TopGear South Africa’s inaugural Family SUV of the Year Award. So here’s to the Kia Sportage, proving that in the automotive arena, it’s not just about having the biggest claws or the loudest roar – sometimes, it’s about being the smartest beast in the jungle.

Images : KIA

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