Northern Group Car of the Year 2022: Kia Sportage Claims SUV Class Win
Kia has maintained its long run of recognition at the Northern Group of Motoring Writers’ Car of the Year, with the Sportage winning its category in the member vote.
The new Sportage, which arrived on the UK market earlier this year, came top of a general member poll in the SUV class to advance to the six-car shortlist for the overall Car of the Year award.
Developed on an all-new platform, the 2022 Sportage is actually a unique model for Europe that’s shorter in overall length and wheelbase than the “international” car. Interior space is still increased compared to its predecessor, including 17% more room in the boot.
The new platform means that Kia can offer a hybrid model for the first time, along with a plug-in hybrid which was added much more recently. There’s a high level of standard kit across the range, including a full suite of driver safety aids and an infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
As one of over a dozen members who drove the finalists at our driving day, Martin Ward, part of the Northern Group’s Car of the Year committee, commented:
The previous Kia Sportage was a brilliant SUV, but the all-new one is a vast improvement in all areas. Its interior has been changed dramatically and all for the better; high-quality materials are used throughout, with excellent fit and finish and some really nice touches and clever technology throughout the cabin. The exterior design has crisp lines and looks great from every angle.
The Sportage topped our member polling, beating the Range Rover and Lexus NX to take the class victory and reach our final, six-car shortlist at the driving day. Kia provided a Sportage hybrid with all-wheel drive, in GT-Line S specification, for the test day.
A secret ballot conducted of all the attending members at the Skipton event will determine which of the cars becomes the 2022 NGMW COTY, with the results and “Arthur” trophy presentation set for the SMMT Test Day North.
