It seems that even when people do read the Kia website, it would appear that they should first pay a visit to Specsavers!!
As I've already stated, the manual Sportage CRDi is available in both 2wd and 4wd. And it is only the CRDi 4wd which has a towing limit of 1800kgs. The CRDi 2wd manual has a towing limit of 1600kg, the auto, 1400kg.
I'm sorry, but I really don't know how much clearer I can make that!!!
Also be careful which one you buy. Petrol engine is reported to be a bit weedy for towing, and the early diesels had a fair but less bhp & torque. The newer diesels have 138bhp and bigger torque so make much nicer tow cars. Any 138bhp 4wd diesel sportage older than about 1 year old has a max braked towing weight of 1600kg. Any new 'facelift' cars with the same engine and 4wd can tow a max of 1800kg (bigger brakes & tweaked suspension from memory). Thats not to say towing 1800kg would be stable or fun, just legal. I recon this car in diesel 4wd guise is more than capable of towing at 85% with good stability assuming the caravan nose weight is kept to 75kg and car and van are loaded sensibly. I do not see the point of the 2wd model - all the bad features of a 4wd (bulky, van like handling, more expensive to run, ungreen image etc) married to all the bad things of 2wd (traction towing, getting stuck on wet camp sites, lower max tow weights etc etc). Buy a fairly recent 4wd diesel and you will be towing with a smile on your face. I know - i do it!
No Marty, I won't be joining you at Specsavers, and I'll accept your apology now, thanks very much!!
http://www.kia.co.uk/1269.asp
You see, I have checked my facts, and also, earlier this evening I spoke to a Kia salesman who, surprise surprise, confirmed what it says at the link I've posted above!!