IF there is one rule of thumb that carmakers understand all too well it is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
So when Kia came to update its best-selling model in the UK, it made doubly sure it maintained the essence of what has made the crossover such a sales success, accounting for almost one in three Kia sales here.
So it retained the sleek sporty looks, high equipment levels and space and concentrated on improving three main areas - fuel efficiency, technology and choice.
That choice now extends to no fewer than 18 variants, based on four engines, three gearboxes and five trim lines, including sportier GT-Line versions.
All are slightly longer than the predecessor, with a longer wheelbase to give some extra room inside the five-seater cabin, though height and width are unchanged. Passenger legroom and headroom receive the biggest boost, while there is a hefty 26-litre increase in boot space.
More importantly, changes to the suspension, body shell and steering make the new Sportage both more fun to drive on twisty country roads and more refined and comfortable in motorway travel.
While it looks like a full-blown 4x4, in fact most of the Sportage models sold in the UK are two-wheel-drive, with all the fuel economy and tax advantages that goes with that.
The test car came in grade 2 specification, but even at this seemingly low trim level, the amount of equipment on board is impressive.
The1.7 CRDi two-wheel-drive Sportage sits on 17-inch alloy wheels and has body-coloured exterior handles with chrome inserts, electrically-folding door mirrors with LED indicators, privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate, reversing sensors and a reversing camera.
Inside, there is a seven-inch touch-screen navigation system, powered lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat, automatic lights and wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual automatic air conditioning with an automatic windscreen de-fog system, a cooled glovebox and lane keep assist, automatic high-beam and speed limit information functions.
And like every model in the range, it is fitted with a trailer stability system to prevent a caravan or trailer from snaking in crosswinds. 
Move up the range and you can choose everything from automatic emergency braking to follow-the-road headlights with automatic levelling, to a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver and eight-way adjustable front passenger ventilated seats and heated steering wheel.
Power came from the 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine that is the choice of more than half of all Sportage buyers. It is now more than 7mpg more fuel-efficient in combined mode, while its CO2 output is down by 16g/km.
There are, needless to say, full-blown 4x4 versions available for those who require the towing grunt and off-road ability of a more powerful car.
The Sportage slots into the compact SUV/crossover sector of the market, which Kia says is expected to grow from about 9.4 per cent of the total in Europe, to 10.2 per cent by 2018, with total sales for the sector predicted at 1.6 million.
In keeping with every Kia, the Sportage comes with the company’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, which is fully transferable should the car be sold before the time or mileage limits have been reached. No wonder it has been such a success.
Auto facts
Model: Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDI '2' Eco
Price: £22,050
Insurance group: 13
Fuel consumption (Combined): 61.4mpg
Top speed: 109mph
Length: 448cm/176.4in
Width: 185.5cm/73in
Luggage capacity: 17.3 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity: 13.6 gallons/62 litres
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
Warranty: Seven years/100,000 miles