(Tue 10 Jan 06)

Like all manufacturers who have the chance to do so, Kia is reporting healthy sales results in 2005, having experienced a 19% year-on-year increase to 39,671 vehicles.

Easily the best-selling model was the Picanto, which has been largely responsible for Kia's increasing health in Europe in the 18 months since it was launched. Perhaps most surprisingly, number two in the list was the ageing Sedona MPV, introduced back in 1999 when Kia's product range was generally a sorry state of affairs. 5865 Sedonas found homes in the UK last year, even though the model is nearing the end of its sales life - a new version will go on sale here in the summer.

The third most popular Kia last year was the Sorento SUV, with 5269 sales, followed by the Sportage on 4730 sales. More about the Sportage in a moment, but it's worth noting that, as well as bringing in a new Sedona, Kia will also introduce a replacement Carens mini-MPV later this year, plus a new Magentis saloon range (including, for the first time, a two-litre turbo diesel) in the spring.

Now, about the Sportage. We like the Sportage a lot, but we have to admit that the diesel version is a bit slow. Or at least it has been up till now (see launch report), thanks to a very modest power output of 111bhp. Now, however, the engine has been perked up in no uncertain manner, to the point where it produces a much more impressive 138bhp at 4000rpm, with maximum torque leaping from 181lb/ft to 225lb/ft between 1800 and 2500rpm.

Despite the power increase, there is no change to the original pricing. No word on performance improvements yet, but it's safe to assume that the Sportage diesel will be significantly quicker than before. In the official fuel economy test there are mild variations in the urban and extra urban cycles, but the overall figures of 39.8mpg and 187g/km CO2 emissions remain as before.

Kia Road Tests

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