In today’s world, it is more important than ever for car manufacturers to figure out their target market and provide them with the most value possible. If a manufacturer slips up in one to many ways, it only makes sense for consumers to flood to the competition that year. Today we’re going to take a look at the 2020 Kia Sportage to see if it measures up to the competition. The SUV market is hot right now, and the patron holds the cards when it comes to the commitment that is a new car.
To get a better idea of how this vehicle stacks up against the competition, we are going to examine it in a few key areas. First, we are going to establish a few of the competitor’s options based on price alone. From there we will examine what exactly sets the 2020 Kia Sportage apart from its competition. Things like options, trim levels, and body styling are just some of the reasons why you might choose to go with Kia over competing SUVs. Regardless of what vehicle you end up purchasing, you are going to get plenty of value when you purchase the vehicle new from a reputable dealer.
The Baseline
Two vehicles that you could put in the same ring as the Sportage might include the Chevrolet Trax and the Ford Escape. All of these vehicles are perfectly competent SUV’s that confidently fit five, come standard with front-wheel drive and are all around the $25,000 mark. These vehicles have a lot in common, so you need to drill down to figure out what is the right vehicle for you.
From a purely cosmetic perspective, the Sportage and the Trax have a lot of similarities. The Kia has a bit more aggressive lines. Ford’s offering has a bit more style overall that gives it a bit more of a premium look. All of the vehicles look petite on the outside yet, appear to have plenty of space on the inside. No matter which options you choose, you have a sharp-looking vehicle that you should have no problem parking in those tighter spaces. Finally, since all of the vehicles are SUV’s, you should have no problems with comfort. Also, you no longer have to fear every unpaved road like you would in a sedan.
Trim Variety
The first thing I want to break down concerning these vehicles are the various trim levels. The 2020 Kia Sportage has four trim levels available, and you can upgrade each trim level with all-wheel drive. The most expensive trim level doesn’t break the $35,000 mark, and it comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower. Ford also offers four trim levels on their Escape. But since the most premium trim level is cheaper than the premium Kia, we will need to examine where they cut back. The first thing that comes to mind is that Ford put an engine in that has the same displacement as the Kia put uses EcoBoost technology instead of a turbo. Our final contender, the Chevy Trax, really only has affordability as it claims to fame. Both the Trax base model and the premium model are cheaper than their competitor’s counterparts, and you only have three trim levels to customize. With only a 1.4L engine in the base model available across all models, you may have slightly better fuel efficiency at the cost of acceleration. Based on looks and power alone, only the consumer knows which car is right for them. So far, however, we can draw parallels to Goldilocks and determine that among the three, the Sportage is just right!
Exterior Appeal
Since we’ve already touched on the physical appearances of these vehicles, and looks are purely subjective, we’re going to base these cars on the amount of variety that each manufacturer offers. This way, the consumer can feel confident in their choices. Kia has given you seven different options of exterior paint. While you can choose from most of the paint colors without any additional charge, three of the premium choices will require you to drop no more than an additional $400. Kia, unfortunately, doesn’t have a fleet of rims for you to choose from. Thankfully they’ve included some sharp-looking rims right from the factory at no charge. Finally, the Sportage lets you express your hobbies by including features like roof racks and a tow hitch. The Sportage is well aware of all of the things that it’s doing right.
The Escape’s exterior can also be modified in quite a few ways. For starters, you have eight paint options to choose from with only two costing you a premium. If you do decide that you want ruby red or worse, white platinum, you’re going to have to pony up another $600 for the privilege. You can also tow with the Escape if you opt for a towing package, remember that this engine is an EcoBoost, it does not have a turbo. Our final competitor, the Chevy Trax, has six paint options available with only the red paint scheme costing you an additional $400. Aside from splash guards, Chevrolet does not have a ton of exterior options to help you make your vehicle unique. Unfortunately, your Chevy Trax would look like every other Trax on the road.
The Cabin Experience
Since none of these SUV’s would be considered ultra-luxury, they have a lot in common when it comes to their interiors. When it comes to the color of your interior, Ford limits you to only two options, whereas Kia and Chevrolet both offer three. If a 7-inch infotainment screen is big enough for you, Chevrolet has you covered. If you’re in the mindset of “When it comes to screen real estate, the more, the merrier.” Then you’ll be happy to know that both Ford and Kia let you get an 8-inch screen. When it comes to features that drivers can enjoy on a day-to-day basis, only the Sportage provides you with a programmable garage-door opener, but both Ford and Kia come with cruise control standard. One final feature that you can get only on the Sportage are illuminated vanity mirrors. The Kia has a lot more unique features than either of the competition. You’re going to spend a lot of time inside the cabin of your automobile throughout the years. Take the time to make sure it’s going to provide you with comfort and entertainment those years to come.
Passing Judgement
Putting the Sportage up against the Trax ad the Escape really shows how strong the Sportage can shine. While the Kia may look like the “middle ground” between the two competitors, as you run down the list of differences, it becomes evident that the Sportage has more to offer. While all of these vehicles are perfectly fine in their own right, it becomes clear that the Sportage offers you more value for only a slight premium over the cheape
