Available in six different grades and with a choice of turbo petrol, four-cylinder diesel and electrified powertrains, prices for Kia’s all-new Sportage SUV line-up start from £26,475.
A firm favourite with UK buyers, order books have just opened and the very first examples of the daringly-styled family run-around should arrive with local Kia dealerships early in the new year.
The fifth-generation of the Hyundai Tucson, Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Tiguan rival ushers in a fresh design language for the South Korean manufacturer which, it claims, guarantees “superb on-road presence”. Styling highlights include the ‘boomerang’ headlights, concave bootlid, blistered rear arches and sporty rear spoiler.
“Developed using a new architecture, this Sportage has been developed in Europe for European buyers,” said the firm. “In the car’s 28-year history, this is the first time that a separate model has been engineered exclusively for Europe.
“The packaging of the new car offers greater interior space while maintaining the relatively compact dimensions that will make it ideal for European roads. Boot space, as well as head and leg room, are all substantially increased compared to the previous generation car,” it added.
The adventurous styling is continued on the inside of the Sportage, with the driver cocooned by a curved dash featuring a 12.3-inch digital display and media system on ‘3’ derivatives and above.
To ensure they run the latest software, both accepts over-the-air map and software updates, while Kia’s ‘Connect’ app also allows users to access vehicle options on their smartphone without ever needing to be inside the car.
In terms of engines, UK customers can choose from electrified petrol and diesel powertrains. A 1.6-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine is available in two states of tune – 148bhp and 178bhp – and a diesel MHEV will be available with 113bhp and 134bhp.
There will also be a 227bhp 1.6-litre hybrid option and towards the end of March, a plug-in hybrid is set to be introduced. The latter has a quoted power output of 261bhp and an electric-only range of 35-miles thanks to its 13.8kWh battery.
Depending on the powertrain, these will be married to a 6-speed manual, or a 6-speed or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Four-wheel-drive is also being made available.
‘2’ kicks-off the new Sportage range and comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, LED headlamps and daytime running lights, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.
An 8-inch touchscreen incorporates a DAB radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. Automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers are some of the cabin’s other creature comforts.
‘GT-Line’ edition starts at £29,745 for a petrol and £30,745 for a diesel with these wearing 19-inch wheels, front and rear chrome skid plates, and a radiator grille, side sills and wheel arch surrounds that have a gloss black finish.
The 12.3-inch infotainment display adds sat-nav and Kia Connect, with suede leather upholstery, keyless entry, a D-shaped leather steering wheel and aluminium accents for the dash and door cards all included in the price.
Moving up to ‘3’ spec adds rear privacy glass, and silver garnishes to the grille, doors and rear skid plate. Inside, buyers will find a 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle as well as black cloth and faux leather trim, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel and safety kit such as cruise control with stop and go functionality.
Second-from-top ‘4’ introduces a panoramic glass sunroof, a premium Harman Kardon speaker system, adaptive LED headlights, ambient interior lighting, a 360-degree camera and a blind-spot view monitor.
Flagship ‘GT-Line S’ edition is similar in spec to the ‘4’ but get bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels, artificial leather and suede upholstery, a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way passenger seat with memory function, an automatic tailgate and an optional two-tone black roof.
