Kia's Sportage is served up with some festive magic

But with less than two months to go until the big man starts geeing up his reindeer there came the eye-opening realisation that advances in manufacturing could probably make his other-worldly feat possible nowadays.

It might have been the elf-like red overalls over yellow tee-shirts of the workforce at Kia’s factory near Zilina, Slovakia, but whatever it was the relentless production capacity of the placeand its 100 robotshad more than a little Lapland magic.

September alone saw nearly 22,500 new Kia's roll off the line. Figures that Santa would be proud of and Kia, in their current flush of popularity, can make use of...

Stylish new Kia faces tough competition

The Zilina Plant builds the big-selling Ceed, Ceed SW (estate), the sporty Pro Ceed and the Korean marque's latest introduction, the new Sportage SUV tested here.

Hitting showrooms this week, the Sportage has set its sights on an ever-expanding number of cross-overs, including Nissan’s Qashqai, Mitsubishi’s ASX and Peugeot’s 3008.

That's a capable list of competitors, but the Sportage has already set its stall out as the most stylish.

The Peugeot’s love-it-or-loathe-it styling aside, it stands out most in a fairly reserved sector.

With a high, rising, shoulder-line, slender side windows, minimal overhangs and rakish headlights with LED running day lights as standard it appears compact, disguising its height well, and is a fitting baby brother to Kia’s seven-seat Sorento.

Kia’s seven-year warranty is still on the table, and with prices ranging from £16,645 to £26,170, and an impressive standard specification, the Sportage offers good value.

Four engines offer economy or performance

A choice of four engines include two-litre petrol and diesel units and the 133bhp 1.6-litre CGI petrol and 114bhp 1.7-litre CRDi diesel driven here, which are expected to be the big sellers.

Coming with Kia’s fuel-saving ISG stop/start system as standard, the smaller units offer fuel consumption and emissions of 44.1mpg and 149g/km, and 54.3mpg and 135g/km, respectively.

I managed to get behind the wheel of both the standard Sportage and the range-topping KX-3 in Slovakia.

The Sportage’s driving position is comfortable and car-like with a useful range of adjustment in the steering column as standard.

Premium spec includes heated rear seats

All five seats offer ample leg room but that falling roof-line and rising shoulder-line do conspire to make life a little claustrophobic for six foot rear seat passengers.

In the range-topping KX-3 they will get premium levels of comfort in other areas, however, thanks to heated rear seats.

Air conditioning, LED running day lights, Bluetooth telephone connectivity with voice rocognition, 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lights are all part of the entry-level Sportage’s standard specification, along with a sizeable 564-litre boot.

The KX-3 adds arch-filling 18 inch alloys, Xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control and full leather upholstery.

The leather, however, seemed loosely tailored in my test car.

Stylish interior only let down by minor details

Elsewhere, the interior’s design was a match for the stylish exterior.

A matt effect fascia echoes the shape of Kia's now trademark grill, while a gloss black panel houses the climate control dials.

A USB ipod socket is easily accessible in front of the gear lever and steering wheel-mounted buttons offer access to the stereo controls.

More soft-touch plastics would have given the Sportage’s interior more tactile appeal but the overall quality is good.

On Slovakia’s mountain roads, the Sportage displayed a healthy appetite for corners and impressive ride comfort.

Flat cornering stance heralds impressive chassis dynamics

Despite an impressively flat cornering stance there were few signs that the suspension has been tightened dramatically to quell roll, suggesting a low centre of gravity for the relatively tall SUV.

Poor steering feel is the only distraction, robbing me of a degree of confidence when placing the Sportage into corners on the tight, wet roads.

Of the two engines tested here, the 1.7-litre diesel got my vote.

Returning hatchback levels of fuel consumption and lowly CO2 emissions it is slower than the 1.6 petrol on paper (11.9 seconds to 62mph versus 10.7 seconds) but its added torque (192lb.ft. versus 122lb.ft.) pays dividends.

Easier uphill progress and overtaking are a welcome benefit over the sometimes breathless entry-level, petrol-engined Sportage and justify the diesel engine's £1,500 premium.

Kia is turning on the style

Rewind a few years and there was no way that Kia would have been considered the top of the pile when it came to style but thats just where the Sportage has put them in the world of small SUVs.

It is up against some seriously capable alternatives but majors on a strong specification and those dynamic looks. Some shortfalls in the trim and that glassy steering feel mean that its not without flaws but thats not enough to knock it off a top value perch it now shares with Peugeot’s off-beat 3008.

If the Slovakian elves left a Sportage in my stocking this Christmas, I wouldn’t be disappointed.