Kia Sportage pricing announced (UK)

Kia UK has disclosed prices for the 2011 Sportage First Edition. The SUV will cost £20,777 when it goes on sale 1st August. The first 800 cars will be available in limited 'First Edition' trim. These are powered by a 134bhp 2.0 CRDi engine that is linked to a 6 speed manual gearbox, and come with four wheel drive as standard. The 2.0 CRDi churns out 320Nm (236lb/ft) of torque at 1,800rpm.

The 6 speed manual combines 47.1mpg (6.0l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 156g/km. The 6 speed auto takes its toll on fuel economy with 40.4mpg (7.0l/100km) combined and CO2 emissions of 183g/km.

Standard features include leather upholstery w/heated front and rear seats, dual-zone climate control w/ cooled glovebox, Bluetooth, 6 speaker audio system w/ steering wheel mounted audio controls, USB/AUX socket w/ iPod cable, auto-dimming rear-view mirror w/ reversing camera, rear parking sensors, 18” alloy wheels w/ full-sized alloy spare wheel, tilt & telescopic leather steering wheel and gear-stick, rear privacy glass, silver roof rails, electric panoramic glass sunroof, LED day-time running lights, electric folding door mirrors w/ integrated LED indicators, rear spoiler, chrome exterior door handles, automatic windscreen wipers & lights, front fog lamps, 60/40 split folding rear seats, ESP, HAC (hill-start assist control), DBC (downhill brake control), x6 airbags and deadlocks.

A 6 speed automatic gearbox is available, along with a choice of five colours; 4 metallic, 1 solid.

The Sportage First Edition will be £1,200 cheaper than the entry-level Ford Kuga and similar VW Tiguan, while a similar spec Nissan Qashqai is £2,718 more expensive at £23,495, although this comes with xenon headlamps and electric front seats.

The full Sportage range will go on sale in November. The range will be completed by the 1.6 litre petrol and 1.7 litre diesel engines, both with stop/start to improve fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, in addition to front wheel drive models that will also be available. Prices for the full range have yet to be confirmed.