There’s nothing ostentatious about the Kia Sportage. Looking at it now, parked outside my house, it doesn’t do the ‘bling thing’ that so many rivals do. Ford Kuga drivers take note.

Peter Schreyer’s design for a soft-roader is bordering on the iconic. After all, how do you make a robust vehicle look smooth and soft-lined without drifting into poseur territory?

It was the first mid-size 4×4 that I have ever actually considered buying for myself. It looked so different in 2010 – not surprisingly, many other manufacturers have borrowed the shape for their own designs.

Now I have the chance to drive it for a week. I’m not expected Evoque-beating miracles but it still looks as good today. More tomorrow…