Kia has really lifted its game recently and its latest SUV is no exception. Favourites from Toyota and Mazda are in its sights.
Kia’s “all-new” Sportage SUV brings some seriously cutting-edge tech features and head-turning looks.
Due to arrive in October the Sportage is expected to give Kia’s local sales a big boost as the maker continues its march towards becoming one of the top three best selling brands in the country.
The Sportage has redefined its styling as it tries to stand out from its competitors, the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, which are some of the most popular vehicles in the country.
Kia Australia’s chief, Damien Meredith, believes this new Sportage is a big leap forward.
“Sportage has always had a knack of reinventing itself more than any other Kia model,” said Meredith.
“The all-new Sportage promises to be a substantial evolution over the outgoing Sportage and is a true reflection of where not only the nameplate, but the Kia brand is heading.”
A boldly styled front end features plenty of eye-catching elements such as the prominent grille, boomerang shaped headlights and plenty of chrome highlights.
The new front end is complemented by stylish alloy wheels – available in a variety of sizes up to 19-inches – and a svelte silhouette finished off with razor-shaped LED tail lights.
Inside is where the true action is. A curved 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is joined by a central infotainment screen of the same size in the range-topping GT-Line version.
Lesser grades score an eight-inch or 12.3-inch central screen and mixed analogue and digital instrument display.
There are some plush items on offer including leather and suede upholstery, a wireless device charging pad, ambient mood lighting, a panoramic sunroof and a power tailgate.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all variants as is a full-size spare tyre, which is a rarity in new cars.
Kia says the Sportage now has a longer wheelbase, which translates to a roomier cabin with both front and rear seat passengers gaining more legroom.
There are three engines to choose from: one diesel and two petrol.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel unit makes 137kW and 416Nm and is matched to an eight-speed auto.
Cheaper variants get the 2.0-litre petrol engine making 115kW and 192Nm and paired to either a six-speed manual or auto transmission. The 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine – available in top-tier grades – makes a handy 132kW and 265Nm and is combined with a sporty seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The Sportage benefits from a local suspension tune, which calibrates the ride and handling for Australian roads and conditions.
Kia Australia’s ride and handling engineer, Graeme Gambold, says the new Sportage is sporty, youthful, fun to drive, yet comfortable and capable of soaking up even the harshest of road conditions.
Kia has loaded the Sportage up with standard safety equipment. All models will brake automatically for cars, pedestrians and cyclists, and lane keep assist will help you maintain your position in your lane by gently tugging the steering wheel if it detects you wandering. Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert will also keep drivers out of trouble..
The top-spec GT-Line scores a bird’s eye view camera and an automatic braking function on the rear cross-traffic alert.
Kia will reveal prices closer to the car’s launch date, but expect a rise over the current version’s $31,290 drive-away starting price.
All Kias are covered by a seven-year/unlimited km warranty.
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