This is the third-generation Kia Sportage and with generous kit levels, acres of space and a decent choice of engines it is raising the bar even higher in the crossover sector. Since its launch in 2010 the Kia Sportage has proved itself as a car to be reckoned with in the crossover sector and accounts for the bulk of the brand's sales in the UK. Generous kit levels Kia is noted for the high levels of equipment it includes as standard with its cars and the Sportage is no exception. When it launched the car in 2010, it kicked things off with the limited run of First Edition models that came with 18-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. Now, the standard line-up is just as copiously equipped, with all models having air conditioning, electric windows all round, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, Bluetooth connection, iPod cable and the Sportage's distinctive LED daytime running lights. This is just the standard spec and the higher trim levels offer the sort of kit as standard that you would expect only of cars from the bigger and more expensive class above the Sportage SUV. 2014 mid-life facelift The Sportage is Kia's best-selling model in the UK and keen to keep it that way, Kia has tweaked the design and fine-tuned equipment lists for 2014 to help keep the model in-line with the competition. The more notable changes include enhanced versions of Kia's 'tiger-nosed' grille as well as new styling to the central radiator mesh design. New-style 16-inch, 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels have been fitted to all grades and interior fabrics have been improved. When it comes to kit a heated steering wheel and a power adjustable driver's seat have been added to top spec models. Selected models also have a new 4.3-inch LCD colour touch-screen audio system with an integrated rear-view camera display and a tyre pressure monitoring system is now standard on all models. Close to the end of this generation Sportage's life cycle Kia introduced the Axis Edition, a special version limited to 1, 200 cars. Despite sitting between the 2 and 3 grades from the standard range, the Axis Edition features a number of luxury features including leather upholstery. Noisy diesel engine There's a choice of three turbo diesel engines in the Kia Sportage and they make up the vast majority of sales. However, the diesels are not as refined as those in some rivals, particularly the 2.0-litre diesel with 134bhp. It may have plenty of low-down punch, but once past the meat of this power delivery it starts to become quite rowdy and coarse, which can make overtaking or steeper inclines an ear-bashing experience.