Kia Sportage Enters New Era with Redesigned Fifth Generation

“The Sportage has always been a car of ‘firsts’ for the Kia brand,” says Gary Scott, CEO of Kia South Africa.

Upon its introduction in the late 1990s, the Sportage set the tone for multiple automakers to pursue the design and development of what we know as an SUV today. It became one of the first Kia models to receive global design awards, a feat that was thought impossible for a Korean brand until the launch of the third-generation model in 2010.

The all-new Sportage certainly does not break tradition and continues to be a leader in all the essential SUV aspects, some of which other manufacturers might miss.

A result of a collaborative effort between Kia’s core global design network in Korea, Germany, the US and China, led by Kia’s Senior Vice President and Head of Global Design Centre, Karim Habib, the all-new Sportage has a detailed-orientated black grille graphic stretching across the width of the face.

It pulls together the main frontal features, linking Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille to the boomerang-shaped LED DRLs (daytime running lamps).

At the rear is a swooping fastback design that flows into the rear razor amps, connected by a slim horizontal design to create an impression of width.

Depending on the derivative – and there are five options – the Sportage rides on 17-inch, 18-inch or 19-inch wheels and offers 12 different exterior colours.

The redesigned interior now has a curved display. The 12,3-inch touchscreen acts as the nerve centre for driver and passenger connectivity, functionality and usability needs. Depending on the model, a smartphone charging bay offers high-speed wireless charging.

In terms of size, the new version has a wheelbase of 2 680 mm, a width of 1 855 mm, a length of 4 515 mm and a height of 1 650 mm, offering 996 mm legroom for second-row passengers and 1 000 mm headroom, while luggage capacity is 591 litres (VDA).

Ride quality is improved with a MacPherson strut-type suspension up front, while the rear gets a four-link type set-up. Stopping power is provided by ventilated discs at the front (325 mm) and solid discs at the back (300 mm).

Another noticeable change is that the Sportage is now available only with the 1,6-litre T-GDi petrol engine and exclusively with Kia’s 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

The turbo-petrol engine features continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and delivers 132 kW of power at 5 500 r/min, with 265 Nm of torque available between 1 500 r/min and 4 500 r/min.

All variants have six crash bags and ISOFIX child seat anchors along with anti-lock braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), as well as Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA).

All models get Smart Entry with Push Button Start and an electric parking brake with auto-hold functionality.

LX models come standard with LED headlamps with auto light control, LED daytime running lights and LED fog lamps.

Inside, the Sportage LX has cloth upholstery with height adjustment and two-way adjustable electric lumbar support for the driver’s seat.

The Sportage infotainment system includes Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with steering wheel-mounted controls for telephony, audio and cruise control. Six speakers are standard, as is a USB port in the front, with two USB-C-type charging ports for rear passengers integrated into the front seatbacks.

Stepping up, the Sportage EX gains a gloss black front grille, front parking assist sensors and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The upholstery is partly cloth and artificial leather (including the armrest and centre trim). The front seats boast electric adjustability (including a memory function for the driver’s seat) and a heating function.

“Kia first introduced the high-spec GT-Line derivative in Sportage when the fourth-generation model was launched in November 2016 and re-introduced it late in 2021,” says Stephen Crosse, Sales and Marketing Director, Kia South Africa. “The success of the reintroduction proved there is an appetite for a version of Sportage that is more expressive, dynamic and luxurious. With its cutting-edge design and high levels of standard specification across the board, we’re excited to offer a variety of GT-Line models as part of the all-new Sportage’s line-up.”

The Sportage GT-Line features the same 18-inch alloy wheels as the Sportage EX but gets scuff plates, alloy pedals, an electric tailgate and paddle gear shifters.

Driver assistance systems include Lane Follow Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA).

The GT-Line Plus interior carries LED lamps, a panoramic glass sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The range-topping GT-Line S has ventilated front seats, mood lighting, a rotary gear shift dial and an upgraded Intelligent Front Lighting System.

Also included is Smart Cruise Control and a Junction Turning functionality where, if the system detects a potential collision when making a turn at an intersection, a warning signal appears on the instrument cluster, and maximum braking power is applied to avoid a collision.

All Sportage models have an Unlimited Kilometre/5-year warranty, inclusive of Roadside Assistance. In addition, you can buy it with a pre-paid 6-year / 90 000 km service plan.

Pricing