Kia Sportage Review 2023

January 0001

14-09-2021 Kia Sportage revealed

Kia has revealed the European Sportage. It combines a sleek yet muscular and modern exterior design with a cutting-edge premium interior featuring a swooping integrated curved display that houses the very latest advancements in connectivity tech.

The European Sportage is a perfect fit for European requirements, underscoring its everyday practicality and usability. Luggage capacity, headroom and legroom all being substantially increased over the outgoing Sportage model, with best-in-class legroom for the second-row passengers.

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model represents a first for the European Sportage, realizing emissions-free electric-only driving that can cover most daily trips from the home to work or for daily shopping needs. Petrol and diesel engines are also available.

The new Sportage debuts innovations, including Electronic Controlled Suspension (ECS) and a Terrain Mode gives the Sportage outstanding ride capabilities in conditions such as snow, mud and sand.

Safety featuring both passive and active high-tech systems DriveWise – including Kia’s world-renowned comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

The new European version of the Sportage is an addition to the all-new fifth-generation family, of which the first member – a long-wheelbase variant, built for non-European markets – was unveiled in July.

December 2021

New Kia Sportage priced from £26,745

Ahead of its arrival in showrooms early in 2022, Kia UK has announced pricing and specifications for the all-new Sportage. The launch of the new car signals the widest range of powertrains ever, with customers able to choose from mild hybrid, hybrid, petrol, and diesel. Plug-in hybrid variants will join the line-up towards the end of Q1 2022, with all other iterations available from launch. UK order books for the new model open on 15 December.

The all-new Sportage delivers a brand-new design identity that gives the new car superb on-road presence. A dedicated design, especially for Europe, indicates the level of importance and significance that Kia places on the fifth generation Sportage. The medium SUV is not only the best-selling Kia model in the UK, but also in Europe and globally. The design is sleek yet muscular and combines with a cutting-edge premium interior that includes a curvaceous integrated display incorporating the latest in connectivity technology, including Kia Connect.

Developed using a new architecture, the latest Sportage has been developed in Europe for European buyers. 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 make it ideal for European roads. Boot space, head- and leg-room are all substantially increased compared to the previous-generation car, with best-in-class legroom for rear seat occupants.

With two high-definition 12.3-inch displays available on ‘3’ models and above, they put the driver at the centre of the action. The latest Sportage is fully connected with access to over-the-air software and map updates, while the Kia Connect smartphone app – available on ‘3’ and ‘GT-Line’ grades and higher – allows owners to interact with their car without having to be in it.

The line-up includes a brand new HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) for the first time, with a 1.6-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged-Gasoline Direct injection) engine, developing 226bhp. This will be joined by a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) alternative towards the end of Q1 2022, offering 261bhp – another first for Sportage.

A selection of 1.6-litre internal combustion engines complete the range, with both petrol and diesel power on offer, underlining that this Sportage model is the most comprehensive yet. Available with and without Kia’s 48-volt mild hybrid technology, the latest Sportage is offered with a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission is offered on all HEV and PHEV variants.

The UK line-up for the all-new Sportage follows the same straightforward grade structure that characterises every model that Kia sells in the UK.

The line-up begins with the ‘2’ model, with a comprehensive specification and a choice of two powertrains. Firstly, there’s the 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine with two-wheel-drive, developing 148bhp and priced from £26,745. This is joined by a 113bhp 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine with two-wheel-drive, priced from £27,745. Both are equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

Equipment highlights include:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlamps and daytime running lights
• Front and rear parking sensors with reversing camera system
• Android Auto TM , Apple CarPlay TM and Bluetooth connectivity
• Cruise control with speed limiter
• Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors
• 8-inch touchscreen with DAB radio and MP3 compatibility
• Electronic chromic rear view mirror
• 40:20:40 split/folding rear seats
• Automatic headlight control and rain sensors
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with city, pedestrian, cyclist and junction covering
• Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
• Silver roof rails

Adding a sporty flavour to proceedings is the ‘GT-Line’ edition, available with a choice of five powertrains. As well as 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol (£29,745) and 1.6-litre CRDi diesel (£30,745) choices, there’s the addition of a 148bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi 48-volt mild hybrid petrol powertrain with seven-speed automatic Dual-Clutch Transmission (7DCT) (from £31,445). Joining it is a 134bhp 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine with mild hybrid technology and a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (£32,945). A 226bhp 1.6 T-GDi HEV model is also offered, with a six-speed automatic transmission (6AT), from £33,245. From launch, all ‘GT-Line’ models come exclusively with two-wheel drive. ‘GT-Line’ PHEV models will add all-wheel drive capability when launched in late Q1 2022, priced from £38,395.

For ‘GT-Line’ models, additional equipment over ‘2’ specification includes:

• ‘GT-Line’ styling
• 19-inch alloy wheels (18-inch alloy wheels on HEV)
• 12.3-inch display with navigation system and Kia Connect
• Rear privacy glass
• Suede leather upholstery
• Smart entry system with engine start/stop button
• D-shaped perforated leather steering wheel
• Sports pedals and aluminium pattern finish to fascia and door garnishes
• LED front fog lamps and LED taillights
• Gloss black radiator grille, side sills and wheel arch mouldings for a sportier appearance
• Chrome front and rear skid plates

Grade ‘3’ also takes level ‘2’ as its basis for equipment, but shares the same engine range as the ‘GT-Line’ line-up, including HEV and – later in Q1 – PHEV models. The ‘3’ line-up includes a 148bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi unit with manual transmission (from £30,945), and a 48-volt mild hybrid 148bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi powerplant with 7DCT (from £32,645). Two diesel options are available: a 113bhp 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine with manual gearbox (from £31,945); and a 134bhp 48-volt mild hybrid 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine with 7DCT (from £34,145). Completing the list of available powertrains is the 226bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi HEV unit, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox (priced from £34,445). All Sportage ‘3’ models feature two-wheel drive, with PHEV models available exclusively with all-wheel drive when sales commence (from £39,595).

For ‘3’ models, additional equipment in addition to grade ‘2’ includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• 12.3-inch display with navigation system and Kia Connect
• 12.3-inch colour cluster display
• Rear privacy glass
• Black cloth and faux leather upholstery
• Heated front and rear outer seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Smart entry system with engine start/stop button
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality and Highway Driving Assist (HDA) – DCT versions only
• Paddle-shifters (DCT versions only)
• Front power adjustable seats
• LED front fog lamps
• Silver door and radiator upper garnishes
• Silver rear skid plate

‘4’ specification gains 48-volt mild hybrid technology for all the internal combustion engine options, and come with all-wheel drive.. The hybrid version features two-wheel drive, while PHEV models will offer all-wheel drive. Both the 148bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi engine and 134bhp 1.6-litre CRDi engine feature 48-volt mild hybrid technology and are paired with Kia’s 7DCT, priced from £36,445 and £37,945, respectively. The 226bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi hybrid variant features a six-speed automatic gearbox and two-wheel drive, and is priced from £36,645. All-wheel drive PHEV models will be priced from £41,795.

‘4’ models feature the following additional equipment over ‘3’ models:

• Panorama sunroof
• Harman Kardon® premium sound system
• Wireless mobile phone charger
• 360-degree Around View Monitor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA)
• Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) on HEV and PHEV versions
• Dual LED adaptive headlamps
• LED taillight clusters
• Ambient lighting
• Gloss black radiator grille, side sills, wheel arch mouldings and roof rails
• Matt chrome door and radiator upper garnishes
• Hyper silver rear skid plate

At the pinnacle of the all-new Sportage line-up is ‘GT-Line S’ specification. This is offered with the 148bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi engine with 7DCT and 48-volt mild hybrid technology and all-wheel-drive as standard, priced from £38,445. In addition, two 226bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi hybrid options are offered, with a choice of two-wheel drive (from £38,645) and all-wheel drive (from £40,245). Sportage PHEV ‘GT-Line S’ models, with all-wheel drive, represent the peak of the range, priced from £43,795.

The sporty appearance of the ‘GT-Line S’ takes the ‘4’ model as its basis and adds the following:

• ‘GT-Line’ styling
• 19-inch alloy wheels (18-inch alloy wheels on HEV)
• Artificial leather and suede upholstery
• Front ventilated seats
• Optional two-tone black roof
• 10-way driver’s and 8-way front passenger’s power adjustable seat
• Smart power tailgate
• Driver memory seats

March 2022

Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid revealed with 43-mile electric range

Kia has revealed full details of the all-new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, including its low BIK tax band thanks to low CO2 emissions and long electric range.

Kia says the new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid blends power and performance with an exceptional combined fuel economy of 252mpg, and an emissions-free driving range of up to 43 miles (WLTP), rising to 48 miles on the WLTP City Cycle – enough to cover most daily commutes and shopping needs.

The Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid features a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine that works with a 66.9kW electric motor and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The high-voltage battery sits centrally between the two axles under the body of the SUV, ensuring a balanced weight distribution and an interior space that is practical, comfortable and versatile.

Together, this powertrain combination delivers a total of 265PS and 350Nm of torque, a 0-60mph time of just 7.9 seconds, and a top speed of 119mph. A smooth and quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission ensures drivers can make swift, effortless progress in all conditions.

The Plug-in Hybrid’s four-cylinder petrol engine features several measures designed to ensure optimum fuel efficiency in all operating conditions. These include a new and optimised combustion process, cooling technologies and key friction reduction measures, including an advanced integrated thermal management system and the use of a low-friction ball bearing. As a result, the new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid emits just 25g/km of CO2 on the weighted combined cycle.

As well as attracting £0 VED first-year tax after registration, the combination of low CO2 and long electric range means a Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax rate of 7 per cent for the current 2021/22 tax year, rising to 8 per cent for the next three tax years to 2024/25. As a result, the new model costs less to run than almost all of its rivals, despite its premium interior, strong performance and generous standard equipment levels.

The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid also includes Kia’s latest high-efficiency, high-performance Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) module and Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU). Combined, these enhance efficiency, performance and reduce NVH levels when driving. The efficient on-board charger (OBC) system is rated at 7.2kW, making it the fastest-charging Kia PHEV to-date. The battery can complete a full charge in just 1hr 45m.

Attention to detail has resulted in a package that offers highly impressive legroom, headroom and luggage capacity. Second-row passengers benefit from 955mm of legroom and 998mm of headroom, while luggage capacity is a commodious 540 litres (VDA) with the rear seats in place. To maximize convenience, users have the option of folding the rear seats in a 40:20:40 split, an action that results in 1,715 litres of cargo space.

The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid features the same sleek and muscular exterior design as other fifth-generation Sportage models. Riding on stylish 19-inch alloy wheels, the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is available across the ‘GT-Line’, ‘3’, ‘4’ and ‘GT-Line S’ grades with prices starting from £38,395 OTR.

The first UK customer deliveries of the all-new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid commence in April 2022.