New look and mild-hybrid diesel. The popular Kia Sportage will get a fresh design, new diesel mild-hybrid technology and updated electronics this autumn. The Sportage is the best-selling model in Kia’s line-up, accounting for almost 40,000 sales in the UK last year and one in four Kia sales across Europe.
While changes to the Sportage’s striking design are fairly subtle, it has the new bumpers, lights and wheels that are the hallmark of any facelift worth its salt. The 16-,17- and 19-inch alloy wheels are fresh designs and there’s the option of chrome sill trim, metallic skid plates and five new paint colours to personalise the exterior.
GT-Line models get a more aggressive look thanks to a standard ‘hot-stamped’ black grille, dark skid plate, side sills and trim and unique 19-inch alloy wheels. There’s also a new bumper with dual exhausts and ‘ice cube’ LED fog lights lend the nose some visual clout. There are a handful of changes inside too, mostly for the driver to enjoy; including a new steering wheel and updated instruments. There’s also a new two-tone black and grey upholstery for the standard model, and black and grey or optional leather with red stitching for the GT-Line Sportage.
The touchscreen infotainment system is Kia’s latest design, with a seven- or eightinch ‘frameless’ screen. New driver aids have also been added to the repertoire, from adaptive cruise control to a 360-degree camera system that makes it easier to judge tricky parking manoeuvres, as well as a system to spot when the driver is drowsy and recommends them to take a break.
‘EcoDynamics+’ mild-hybrid hardware is the big news under the bonnet, with a small 48-volt battery and starter-generator giving the 2.0-litre diesel engine a boost under acceleration and helping the stop and start system to work for longer periods, like when slowing down for traffic lights. According to Kia, the mild-hybrid technology improves CO2 emissions by up to four per cent when tested under the tougher new WLTP regime, and the Sportage will be the first Kia to get EcoDynamics+ before it’s rolled out to the Ceed and other models.
Kia’s 1.7-litre CRDi diesel engine has been chopped in favour of a brand new 1.6-litre unit, which is the ‘cleanest diesel engine Kia has ever made’. Power is similar to the outgoing engine, with 113 or 134bhp sent to the front wheels, or via an optional four-wheel drive system and seven-speed automatic in the more powerful model.
It’s too early for prices and specifications to be available, with them set to be revealed closer to the car’s on-sale date this summer.
