The starting price for the Kia Sportage undercuts the Honda ZR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, the Mazda CX-5, the Peugeot 3008 and the Renault Austral. The Nissan Qashqai, the Seat Ateca and the Skoda Karoq have more affordable entry-level models, though.

The MHEV and HEV versions cost more, but remain competitive, priced just above the Tucson, but below an equivalent 3008. Better still, the Sportage is predicted to have stronger residuals than the Tucson. The PHEV places itself between the slightly cheaper Ford Kuga PHEV and alongside the Tucson PHEV.

If you’re looking for the lowest possible company car tax rate, the PHEV version will be best. With its CO2 output of 25g/km and 43 mile electric-only range, it sits in the 8% benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax band, lower than the 12% rating of the Kuga and Tucson PHEVs. Even when driven in hybrid mode, you can expect to see around 50mpg (if you keep the battery charged).

The 1.6 T-GDi 230 HEV is pretty frugal, clocking up 48.7mpg in official testing, and 43.8mpg in our real-world test. That’s not as good as some diesels in the family SUV category, but compares well with a lot of the petrols. The MHEV, meanwhile, is a bit thirstier, but mid to high thirties MPG is easily achievable if the trip computer is to be believed.

The Sportage is not the cheapest family SUV of its size, but at least all models are well equipped, with the entry-level 2 model coming with 17in alloy wheels, cruise control, climate control and an electronic parking brake.