Kia Sportage: Model update strengthens the popular SUV
The Kia Sportage has helped the manufacturer achieve stable sales for decades. Now Kia has redesigned the compact SUV for delivery from July.
(Image: Kia)
The Sportage is a special product for Kia; even before the turn of the millennium, it helped to anchor the "SUV" concept, which is so incomprehensibly popular today, in the minds of car buyers. Today, the fifth generation has a secure foothold in times of a veritable SUV glut. As a result, this model is helping Kia to achieve large sales figures. Now, Kia has thoroughly revised the Sportage for delivery from mid-July.
A pioneer, in other words. Contrary to the trend, however, it is still not offered as an electric car because its already older technical basis simply does not allow it. At best, the Kia EV3 could be considered a battery-electric alternative from the same company. There is still a wide range of drive systems with a 110 or 132 kW petrol engine, a 100 kW diesel mild hybrid, a petrol full hybrid with 176 kW and a petrol plug-in hybrid with 212 kW as the top-of-the-range engine. The full hybrid and PHEV have had their standard six-speed automatic transmission reworked to match their now higher performance.
Kia Sportage Interieur (2 Bilder)
Kia
)All other engine variants offer a choice between a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the latter being the only option for the most powerful petrol engine. Depending on the drive variant, there is also a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive, with a cheaper front-wheel drive version available for the plug-in hybrid. Kia has not yet revealed whether the plug-in hybrid for Germany will have a larger battery. In the USA, it has a 13.8 kWh battery that can take a maximum charging current of seven kW.
Higher performance, better equipment, more choice
The upgrades include a new infotainment system with AI-supported assistant, video streaming, in-car payment and wireless integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are also new equipment details such as a contactless key for smartphones or watches, a head-up display and more assistance, including a revised collision warning and highway function.
Kia Sportage Exterieur (4 Bilder)
Kia
)According to the information available, the rest of the technical hardware appears to be largely untouched. As usual, work has been carried out on the bodywork and interior to make the redesign credible to the outside world. Kia has also redesigned the 17, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels. The visual retouching is accompanied by a thoroughly redesigned front end, which extends the front overhang by 2.5 centimeters to a total of 4.54 meters. The trunk can still hold up to 587 liters, with a maximum capacity of 1776 liters.
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Kia Germany is currently asking at least 34,690 euros for the entry-level model, while the already well-equipped plug-in hybrid is listed from 45,990 euros. As there are obviously not many technical changes, prices are likely to increase depending on the model, but not significantly overall.
(fpi)