The fifth-generation all-new Kia Sportage has landed in Australia and is set to hit Kia showrooms with an equal mix of style and substance.
Carefully crafted from the ground up to be the ultimate medium SUV, the all-new Sportage symbolises the pioneering DNA of the Kia brand. The past success of the Sportage is deeply rooted in a mindset of constant reinvention. Under the new Kia brand, the fifth-generation Sportage once again brings an innovation that elevates the brand to the next level.
Designers focused on creating an intelligent package and clever use of space so that all occupants can benefit from increased room and its everyday family-friendly practicality and useability.
The all-new Kia Sportage provides an impressive array of safety technology featuring both passive and active high-tech systems, including Kia's world-renowned comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Advanced powertrains make the all-new Sportage an economical operator with its frugality matched to smooth and highly responsive power delivery, resulting in an SUV that is energetic, sporty and fun-to-drive.
Paired with Kia Australia's locally tuned ride and handling package, the all-new Sportage really is a force to be reckoned with.
For the Australian market the all-new Sportage will arrive in S and GT-Line trims initially with SX to follow.
Depending on the trim chosen, a choice of up to three engines are available; the proven 2.0-litre MPI (115kW and 192 Nm) for S, SX and SX+, an improved 2.0-litre diesel (137kW / 416Nm) available in all grades and the new to the range 1.6-litre T-GDI (132kW / 265Nm) which is exclusive to SX+ and GT-Line.
The 2.0 petrol models will feature the choice of a six-speed manual (S and SX) or automatic (S, SX and SX+) gearbox driving the front wheels only. For those preferring AWD, this is available in the 2.0 diesel with a re-engineered 8-speed automatic transmission offered across all trims and the new torquey 1.6 petrol variant matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT), available in SX+ and GT-Line.
Recommended retail pricing starts at $32,445 for the 2.0-litre petrol S in manual and tops out at $52,370 for the GT-Line diesel.
Exterior design with instant visual impact
The exterior of the all-new Kia Sportage establishes new design boundaries and dramatically sets the tone for the next generation family.
Tense and crisp lines ripple along the refined body, amplifying dramatic styling tensions. At the same time, clean but muscular surfaces join forces with intricate graphics to give the SUV a dynamic and assertive road presence.
Revealed in early 2021 to great acclaim from the design community, Kia's new design language - Opposites United - is at the core of the all-new Sportage, influencing every aspect of its appearance and character.
From the front, the all-new Sportage showcases a precise and intricate design form with its detailed-orientated gloss black grille graphic stretching across the width of the face. The technical graphic pulls together the main frontal features of the all-new Sportage, presenting a striking look. The grille links Kia's modern signature Tiger Nose grille to the distinctive futuristic-styled boomerang-shaped LED DRLs (daytime running lamps), which in turn create solid boundary lines for the striking LED head lights.
Paying homage to its sports utility heritage, the side profile of the all-new Kia Sportage creates a stirring road presence with taut lines cutting across clean but refined body surfaces that seamlessly blend the contrasting volumes together. The addition of a chrome beltline (S & SX) kicks up onto the rear of the all-new Sportage and into the D-pillar, creating harmonious lines with the rear spoiler that further adds to the sporting pedigree of the car.
All-new Sportage maintains its strong road presence at the rear with a muscular swooping fastback design that flows into the tail lights, which have been crafted to give the impression that they cut into the body with fine precision. The razor rear lamps are connected by a slim horizontal design, giving the all-new Sportage a stunningly wide impression from the back.
Carefully crafted interior design
At the centre of the all-new Kia Sportage's modern cabin in the top of the range GT-Line trim, sits a beautifully sculpted integrated curved display with a slim touchscreen and finely detailed air vents. The curved display sweeps across the front of the interior, giving the cockpit dramatic width and depth.
Also debuting in the all-new Sportage GT-Line is a 3D surround view monitor which optimises images from four cameras (front, side mirrors and rear) to provide a 360-degree view in various modes. The newly applied 3D feature allows the user to easily drag the camera view to suit their needs.
The high-tech 12.3-inch touchscreen acts as the nerve centre for driver and passenger connectivity, functionality and usability needs. Its systems have been created to be easy-to-use. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster is equipped with the latest-generation full thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display for incredibly precise and clear graphics including 720p resolution.
The GT-Line digital cluster is paired with a blind spot view monitor for added safety when changing lanes.
The basic digital driver cluster with a 4.2" multi-function LCD, available on S, SX and SX+ trims, is an all-new simplistic feature which has been designed to replace analogue gauges to maintain a high-tech image across the range.
Across the range, an ergonomic centre console has been optimally positioned for the driver and front passenger, providing storage, operating system configuration, cupholders and soft-touch switches, the latter sitting on a raised profile alongside the gear shift.
Throughout the cabin, high-quality materials that are luxurious to touch have been used, while the driver and front passenger seats combine innovation and comfort in a sporting slim design.
Kia's number one selling vehicle globally has grown in virtually every dimension versus the outgoing Sportage and due to the larger exterior, there is enhanced passenger room for the second-row and greater luggage capacity. This is achieved while retaining the signature full-size spare wheel.
The all-new Sportage is underpinned by an elongated wheelbase of 2755mm, a length of 4,660mm, width of 1,865mm and height of 1,665mm (S, SX) / 1,680mm (SX+, GT-Line). The all-new Sportage's 1,050mm legroom for second-row passengers and 1,000mm headroom is an improvement from the outgoing model - 80mm and 7mm increase respectively. Luggage capacity is 543 litres (VDA).
Advanced powertrains offer efficiency, frugality, power and performance
For the Australian market the all-new Kia Sportage will continue to be available in four trim levels; S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line and with a choice of three engines; the proven 2.0-litre MPI (115kW and 192 Nm) for S, SX and SX+, an improved 2.0-litre diesel (137kW / 416Nm) available in all grades and the new to the range 1.6-litre TGDI (132kW / 265Nm) which is exclusive to both SX+ and GT-Line.
The 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit demonstrates enhanced fuel efficiency through a new and optimised combustion process, breakthrough cooling technologies and key friction reduction measures, including an advanced integrated thermal management system and the use of a low-friction ball bearing. The 1.6-litre has been paired with the dynamic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and provides much improved low-down torque. The transmission sends power to both the front and rear wheels for improved performance and handling, particularly in low grip situations.
Also included in the launch line-up is the upgraded and highly efficient R2.0-litre diesel engine featuring an advanced variable geometry turbocharger. The 2.0 four-cylinder unit has been designed in response to tightening emissions regulations and features an array of sophisticated technologies to drive down emissions output and enhance real-world fuel efficiency. Standout technical innovations include solenoid valve control, a variable capacity oil pump, an electric thermostat and an optimised lubricant and cooling setup.
The addition of a damper-controlled multi-disc torque converter serves to enhance fuel efficiency by enlarging the lock-up range and improves the new Sportage's overall driving characteristics. The revised eight-speed benefits from a newly designed transmission structure that improves control stability and gear shift response. It also features a new oil pump that has been optimized for capacity along with a high-efficiency tooth profile design.
Kia Australia's local tuning continues in all-new Sportage
Based on the company's new N3 platform, every element of the all-new Kia Sportage has been designed and developed to enhance the SUV's premium stature.
Representing a first for Sportage is the addition of an all-new Terrain Mode (Diesel Only) that debuts on the fifth-generation Sportage. Developed for owners that want to pursue outdoor adventure and leisure activities, the advanced Terrain Mode automatically adjusts the Sportage's settings so that the vehicle realises an optimal drive dynamic for any given road condition and environment, including snow, mud and sand.
Out of Terrain Mode, the Kia Sportage defaults to Drive Mode, with the driver selecting from Comfort, Eco, Sport or Smart sub-settings. For convenience and added safety, all Drive Modes are displayed within the high-resolution digital cluster. An intuitive and highly visual graphic in the audiovisual navigation system (SX variants and above) highlights how the vehicle has changed in terms of driving setup when changing from one Drive Mode sub-setting to another.
An electronic 4WD system makes sure power is optimally distributed between the front and rear wheels depending on road conditions and driving situations, not only further enhancing driving performance but also boosting safety.
As with all Kia models in Australia, the local engineering team has taken the opportunity to further improve the ride and handling of what was already a competent dynamic package with the outgoing fourth-generation Sportage.
The recalibrations and improvements introduced for the all-new model have given the Sportage a more compliant ride with improved body control. Sportage really comes alive, and feels sure footed and confident when pushed hard, particularly on rough country roads. Similarly, it is comfortable on the typical urban environment.
Due to COVID complications Kia Australia needed to apply the tuning via a 'correspondence process' whereby shock absorber production samples were ordered in batches and air freighted for testing, rather than having a dedicated Damper Engineer based in Australia for the duration of the tune.
While the process was challenging under restrictions, the result is sporty, youthful and fun to drive, yet comfortable and capable of soaking up even the harshest of local road conditions.
All-new Sportage is home to the very latest safety technologies
With safety being a top priority during development, the fifth-generation all-new Kia Sportage is one of the safest vehicles in its class.
Underneath the sleek exterior design of all-new Sportage is a reinforced and lightweight body structure that has high torsional rigidity. All-new Sportage features a new centre side airbag along with the usual driver airbag, passenger airbag, curtain airbags and front side airbags.
Kia's acclaimed in-house developed Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology helps the Sportage to avoid potential hazards, fully protecting occupants and other road users on every journey. As part of its ADAS package, the all-new Sportage features Kia's Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), which helps avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in front of the vehicle while driving. It also features Junction Assist which can apply braking when a potential collision is detected when turning right across an intersection
The Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) system available on the all-new Kia Sportage is a driver assistance technology that detects speed signs through the front view camera. Information is then displayed on the instrument cluster. The optimised speed can then be used to set the Smart Cruise Control by confirming the speed limit.
When operating the indicators to change lanes, if there is a risk of collision with a rear-side vehicle, a new Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system will provide a warning to the driver. After the warning, if the risk of collision increases, BCA actively controls the all-new Sportage to help avoid a collision. BCA is also active in situations such as parallel parking manoeuvres, further helping to avoid collision with rear-side vehicles. Haptic feedback in the steering can also be activated, hence warnings are audible, visual, and tangible.
Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) is also included on the GT-Line and further enhances safety and driver visibility when changing lanes by displaying a real-time rear-side image of the vehicle in the instrument cluster.
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