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AM Awards 2016 - Used Car of the Year - Kia Sportage

Paul Philpott, president and CEO Kia Motors UK and Ireland (left), collects the award for Used Car of the Year from Mike Cowling, head of product, Car Care Plan

Kia’s third-generation Sportage has secured the distinction of AM’s Used Car of the Year award as a swan-song to mark its final year of production.

The stylish Korean SUV may be facing replacement by a new model in the first quarter of 2016, but it has ended its reign as a new car strongly, with 23,010 registrations in 2015 according to the SMMT, a 6.65% rise on 2014.

Used markets like the rakish contender too, thanks to strong residuals and main dealer service book stamps delivered as a result of Kia’s seven-year warranty.

According to Auto Trader, the Sportage was the fastest-selling used SUV of 2015 – taking an average of 30 days at an average price of £19,161 – and the fourth-fastest seller overall, behind the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Insignia and Toyota Prius.

A healthy standard specification has enticed many used buyers, with Kia’s aggressive pricing policy meaning that used Sportages often come fitted with sat nav, leather seats and a panoramic glass roof.

Three engines – a 1.6-litre GDi petrol unit and 1.7- or 2-litre CRDi turbodiesels – are available in a range divided into three basic specifications, with four-wheel-drive, an automatic gearbox and sat nav providing further options.

Fuel economy in the outgoing Sportage ranges from 40.1mpg (with CO2 emissions of 149g/km) in the GDi to 54.3mpg with 135g/km CO2 emissions in the 1.7-litre CRDi.

Early, high-mileage Sportages can be bought for as little as £8,000, but AM believes the newer crop of third-generation models is likely to remain a used car hit during the coming year.

 

Shortlisted

BMW 3 Series

Ford Fiesta

 

Previous winners

2015 Ford Fiesta 

2014 Nissan Qashqai 

2013 Range Rover Evoque

 

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