Kia have released further details on the new Sportage – their best selling model in the UK last year.
The model is set to be a front runner in the Korean brand’s push into greener powertrains – offering hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and 48-volt mild hybrid options. There are also Edition 25 variants, celebrating the SUVs 25th birthday this year.
A new U3 diesel engine features in the line-up, alongside a number of updates to the remaining power units.
Now a 1.6-litre diesel (rather than a 1.7), the U3 is still a CRDi unit and comes in both 114 or 134bhp states of tune – the latter of which is available with a seven-speed dual clutch and all-wheel drive. The same transmission and drivetrain combination is available with the 174bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol unit.
Kia’s EcoDynamics+ powertrain is also offered exclusively with all-wheel drive. The 48v mild hybrid system works with the 2.0-litre CDRi unit and an eight-speed auto box. It’s the most powerful powertrain in the Sportage stable with 182bhp, but the economy figures are yet to be announced.
Driver aids added to the Sportage include adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality and an around view monitor to help with parking manoeuvres – on all models. Driver awareness warning is available on 2 trim models upwards, as is lane keeping assist, high-beam assist and speed limit information function. Higher up the range forward collision warning and blind spot collision warning are available. All models feature vehicle stability management, electronic stability control and a rear-parking camera.
Infotainment screens are present throughout the Sportage trims. Either a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment or sat-nav is offered, plus there is a frameless 8-inch variant. All of the systems come with DAB radio and grade 2 and above feature TomTom navigation. Other features include live traffic updates, speed camera locations and alerts and weather forecasts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feature throughout the range. A wireless smartphone charger sits at the base of the centre console on the GT-Line S model along with a powered tailgate.
16-inch alloy wheels are standard on grade 1 models and that figure grows to 17-inches on grade 2 models. Gt-Line and 4 Sportages feature 19-inch alloys, as do top of the range GT-Line S variants, which also feature a panoramic sunroof, ten-way power adjustable and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, electronic parking brake and a JBL soundsystem with a subwoofer.
To celebrate 25 years since the Sportage debuted, an Edition 25 model sits between the 2 and 4 specs. It is solely available with the 1.6 GDi unit and a manual six-speed, and is largely comparable to the 4. It rides on 17-inch alloys, black part-leather interior and premium paint at no extra costing. A stop-start button and smart-entry are fitted, as are the upgraded sound system and the bigger infotainment screen. The celebratory edition is priced at £25,665.
General pricing for the new Sportage starts at £20,305, with the 2 1.6-litre T-GDi kicking off AWD pricing at £24,395. The EcoDynamics+ starts at £32,545 and the whole range comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile manufacturer warranty.
