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  It’s the initial touchpoint that grabs you. Back when   Kia   was a cheap Korean brand trying to make its way up in the world, the leather on the steering wheel was that fake-feeling plastic stuff, with the sort of grip factor that meant a healthy dose of climbing chalk was needed before you drove off. All that has changed now, and it’s the sort of instant grab-you quality to the leather on the wheel that marks the latest   Kia Sportage   out. This car is considerably less powdery. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the last variant to join the Sportage ranks, alongside petrol, diesel, mild- hybrid and hybrid versions. That’s a total of nine different powertrains. Talk about hedging your bets. With a 178bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and a 90bhp electric motor, total output is 261bhp and 257lb ft of torque. Just think about the latter number for a minute: that’s just 11lb ft shy of the  Ferrari  F355. In a family SUV. Ye gods. Although, to be fair, it’s...