That will add one soon PHEV new variation Sport line up, expand SUVs Powertrain lines include gasoline, diesel, mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
The new plug-in hybrid is available to order now and brings extended hybrid technology to the Sportage for the first time.
The Sportage is Kia’s best-selling model in the UK and the new model will come in six different trim levels. Starting the range is the Sportage ‘2’, which starts at £26,745 with the 148hp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. A 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel is available for an extra £1,000. Both have two-wheel drive and are mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Equipment for both includes 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, cruise control, automatic lights and wipers with automatic rearview mirrors. blur. 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connected, while featuring a suite of safety aids including Forward Collision Avoidance with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection detection.
Upgrading to the GT-Line version (from £29,745) offers further powertrain options, including 48v mild-hybrid versions of the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel – the fifth variant. two have power increased from 113bhp to 134bhp – both are offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. There’s also a 226-horsepower HEV hybrid model, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All GT-Line models are two-wheel drive until the plug-in hybrid arrives early next year.
The GT-Line trim offers sportier styling touches such as 19-inch alloy wheels (18s on the hybrid), gloss black exterior details, separate rear visors, a sport steering wheel, sport pedals and aluminum interior trim. It also gets front fog lights and taillights, suede and leather upholstery, keyless entry and start, and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen with navigation and connected services. .
Specs ‘3’ instead of ‘2’ based, but offers the same engine options as the GT-Line. Priced from £30,945, it combines a larger infotainment screen with a 12.3-inch digital-dial display, plus fabric and faux leather trim, heated power front seats and heated rear seats. heated, heated steering wheel, keyless entry and adaptive cruise. control with stop-and-go technology and highway driving assist (available on automatic transmission versions only.
The ‘4’ spec is only available with the mild-hybrid engine and all-wheel drive, although the HEV hybrid remains two-wheel drive. Priced from £36,445, it adds features such as a panoramic sunroof, Harmon Kardon sound system, wireless phone charging, 360-degree parking camera, Kia Blind Spot Monitor and parking Remote smart parking. Other features include ambient lighting, adaptive dual LED headlights and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist.
The flagship GT-Line S builds on the ‘4’ model, from £38,445, featuring the GT-Line’s sportier styling details and a black two-tone roof option. The car also adds artificial leather and suede trim, ventilated front seats with memory function and electrical adjustment and intelligent electric tailgate.
The Sportage PHEV version costs from £38,395 in the cheapest GT-Line spec. Customer deliveries for the rest of the range will begin in the first quarter of next year.
New Kia Sportage: styling, technology and engines
The Kia Sportageis also an opponent Hyundai’s Tucson and Nissan qashqai, has been specially formulated for the European market. It has a 75mm shorter wheelbase than the global Sportage.
According to Kia, the new car has been developed with three important pillars in mind. The first focuses on innovative design, the second on advanced technology and the third on making the car more enjoyable to drive.
Due to the shorter wheelbase, the styling of the European car has a few changes compared to the global car. These focus specifically on the C-pillars, with the European Sportage losing the small rear window and gaining a more elaborate graphic.
At 4,515mm long, the new Sportage is 30mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase is also increased by 10mm to improve interior space and create more room to store batteries for the plug-in model. hybrid.
This new plug-in hybrid powertrain features a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. It pairs with a 13.8kWh battery that powers the electric motor, for a combined 261bhp and 350Nm of torque – which is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission. This means the Sportage plug-in hybrid will have a 0-60mph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 119mph.
Electric-only range for PHEVs is 43 miles WLTP rated (onboard 7.2kW charger means one hour 45 minutes charge time), with CO2 emissions of 25g/km on a combined cycle . Kia also says the PHEV will hit 252mpg. For customers using a car, it accounts for 8% Benefits-in-Kind tax margin for 22/23.
As part of Kia’s electrification efforts, a 227bhp 1.6 petrol engine with a smaller 1.49kWh battery and electric motor setup will be available; The target is 134g/km CO2.
Another new engine for the Sportage is Kia’s 148hp 1.6-liter turbo petrol unit. As standard, this is paired with the brand’s Gearshift Smart Manual Transmission, but if you opt for the 48v mild-hybrid version, it’ll be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Diesel engines will still be available, with the 1.6 CRDi offered in either 113bhp (manual) or 134bhp (DCT automatic).
Style inspired by Kia EV6 electric vehicle, with a large grille and sharp lamp markings at the front and rear. Euro standard cars also have different rear bumpers.
The interior of the GT-Line in our image features two 12.3-inch screens, with Kia’s Multi-Mode display positioned below and slightly tilted towards the driver. It retains the two physical buttons, but their functions can be switched between the vehicle and climate control systems using the touch panel.
Depending on the trim, all tech such as LED matrix lights, 360-degree cameras and remote smart parking assist will be offered.
Inside, the packaging is improved thanks to the new N3 platform. As well as more space inside – especially in the rear – Kia says the plug-in hybrid will offer 1,715 liters of cargo space – equal to the rest of the range and a rear-seat ratio of 40:20:40.
Q&A with Xuan-Zheng Guo
Kia Europe specialist Sportage tells us why this new fifth-generation sedan is a huge step forward for the Korean brand.
Q: Why did you choose to develop a Sportage exclusively for Europe?
A: “European requirements are different. Towns and cities are more compact, suitable for a shorter wheelbase. Making two versions means less compromises per car and more freedom for European tuning here, including electronically adaptive dampers that will be available. “
Q: Do we see an all-electric Sportage in the future when full EVs become more important?
A: “There are currently no plans to offer the Sportage with a full EV powertrain but we will continue to monitor market trends and customer requirements. But full EVs are huge for us, with cars like the EV6 and e-Niro. “
Q: How does this Sportage change the model compared to its predecessor?
A: “It’s more upscale to stick to Kia’s new brand identity, and you’ll feel it inside. But obviously more powertrains are more electrified, more space, more technology; it offers Sportage drivers more than they want and expect from a car in this class. “
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