#3 The All-New Kia Sportage – Sporty, striking and completely overhauled

When Kia first launched the Sportage in 1993 it was aiming for a buyers who wanted a compact, inexpensive sports-utility-vehicle (SUV) with an added advantage of having four-wheel-drive. However, the cheap and poorly made penalty box never sold in the numbers Kia had hoped for. That all changed with the third generation model, which was launched in 2010. The third generation Sportage quickly became the favorable answer to any buyer looking for an affordable, sporty looking, practical and civilized compact SUV. Now entering its fourth-generation, the all-new Kia Sportage compact SUV builds comprehensively on the success of the outgoing model, offering a sophisticated package to buyers in an increasingly competitive market. For the first time, a new 'GT Line' specification is available to Sportage customers.

All-new Kia Sportage 

Looks

The fourth-generation Kia Sportage features a new look with sharp, defined feature lines and smooth surfacing. The new front design features a more prominent and reworked Kia's hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille, which has now been separated from the Sportage headlamps. The headlamps are now positioned higher, sweeping back along the outer edges of the sharply detailed bonnet. A lower, wider grille adds more volume to the lower half of the Sportage's face. The sportier GT variant features new LED fog lamps borrowed from the Kia Cee’d GT.

Reworked front 

From the highest point of the roof the Sportage's silhouette gently slants towards the rear of the compact SUV, while bolder wheel arches, sharp features lines, and smooth surfacing endow the Sportage with a more dynamic look. At the rear, the all-new Sportage features more horizontal forms and clearly defined features lines, with smooth bodywork on the boot, emphasizing the car's width and giving the compact SUV a more stable appearance.

First generation model 

A slim combination lamps running below the rear windshield are joined together by a strip that runs the width of the rear. The turn signals and reversing lights are separate and are located lower down. The Kia Sportage GT variant also features dual exhaust mufflers and metal-effect rear underbody diffuser for a sportier appearance. The all-new Sportage is available with a choice of 16-, 17- or 19-inch aluminium alloy wheel designs, while the GT Line specification comes with a unique 19-inch wheel option as standard.

Kia's Sportage streamlined profile 

Performance

Behind the reworked ‘tiger-nose’ is a choice of petrol and diesel units. For petrol lovers, there is a choice of two 1.6-litre engines; the 1.6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) and 1.6 T-GDI (turbo gasoline direct injection). The 1.6 GDI, which has been carried forward from the third generation model, delivers 97 kW (130 hp) and 161 Nm of torque.

Power unit 

The turbo charged version churns out 130 kW (174 hp) and 265 Nm of torque. The diesel fueled range of the Sportage features a 2.0-litre unit with two outputs. The standard diesel engine comes packed with 100 kW (134 hp) and 373 Nm of torque, while the more powerful 2.0-litre ‘R’ engine features 134 kW (181 hp) and 400 Nm of torque. Paired with the engine are a selection of three transmissions:  a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Cockpit 

Interior     

The Kia Sportage’s interior has been completely overhauled. The interior blends metalwork with soft-touch materials and clearly defined horizontal lines. The interior also features high quality and soft touch materials such as cloth, leather and stitching. Exterior noise has been further eliminated with the addition of soundproofing materials. The dashboard is divided into two with a clear line. The top section features the driver's instrument binnacle and optional new 7.0- or 8.0-inch infotainment displays.

Rear seating

The infotainment system is paired with a 160 watt six-speaker audio system, while music lovers can specify a powerful 320 watt JBL Sound system, featuring eight speakers and an external amplifier. Below the line is the central console cascading downwards and tilted 10 degrees towards the driver.

With many functions now found on the optional touchscreen infotainment and navigation system, the new, uncluttered dashboard offers drivers an ergonomic layout functions designed to be clearly visible when on the move.

Spacious boot 

Front passengers now have more room thanks to the all-new Sportage larger wheelbase. Rear passengers have not been left alone either as they now enjoy an extra 19mm of legroom. The new body's larger dimensions mean cargo space in the fourth-generation Sportage has expanded from 465 litres to 503 liters, made more practical by a dual-height luggage floor, allowing taller items to fit into the boot and still remain hidden by the tonneau cover.

Redesigned rear

Conclusion

The Kia Sportage has undergone a one of its major transformation in the compact SUV’s 22-year life. However, the latest design transformation might not be to everyone’s taste. Prices start at $22, 150 in the United States.