Kia are very much a brand looking to the future right now. The company has really changed its philosophy, ditching the “Motors” moniker in its name and moving slowly but surely towards an all-electric future with hybrids in the mix as well. The brand is working on a multitude of new models right now and recently launched the EV6, but is also working on new versions of established members of its lineup. One of those is the Kia Sportage, an SUV that is now entering its fifth generation as part of the Kia lineup and a new generation that has been crafted, according to Kia, from the ground up.
Unlike one of their latest 2022 additions, the Kia Soul, the new Sportage certainly has a more revolutionary feel to it than other cars. Kia has put the car through a whole new design concept, created a state-of-the-art interior space for the driver and their passengers, and have launched a range of powertrains for the car to bring it right up to date for 2021. This then is a guide to everything that you need to know about the latest iteration in the Kia Sportage lineup.
The Basics
Let's start with the new design language of the Sportage. Kia released a press release covering all the main details of the car, and we can sift through the usual PR talk to give a clear view of what the car looks like. It uses the company’s new design language dubbed Opposites United, and this starts with the large, detailed black grille that stretches across the whole face of the car. The grille features the modern Tiger Nose style that has become quite a distinctive feature on modern Kias', as well as the rather distinctive boomerang-shaped LED daytime lights.
The side profile features taut lines across the refined bodywork, which is spotless. A black roof is available for the first time, to give a contrast to whatever the color is of the car's main bodywork. Moving towards the back of the SUV it is quite a sturdy looking thing, and the muscular styling has quite a pleasing swooping, fastback design to avoid the car looking too bulky. That design flows right into the rear lamps that appear to have been cut into the body when in actual fact they have not but have quite an attractive horizontal design.
Under The Hood
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the new Sportage is what lies under its hood. The new Sportage comes with quite a range of powertrains for the modern era. From launch, there will be a 1.6-liter TGDI four-cylinder powertrain on offer, which Kia says has enhanced fuel efficiency thanks to new cooling technologies, friction reduction measures, and an optimized combustion process. New to the car's engine lineup is a highly efficient R2.0-liter diesel engine, although some may question the wisdom behind including a diesel engine in a car in 2021.
The new diesel four-cylinder engine is aimed at helping reduce emissions and includes technologies to hopefully drive down those emissions as well as enhance fuel efficiency in the real world, which as we all know is very different to project fuel efficiency figures. To fit in with the company’s new strategy, there will also be a hybrid and plug-in hybrid version of the car, which Kia says will deliver a no-compromise, eco-friendly SUV package for their customers. Kia is set to announce further details of these editions of the SUV a little closer to launch, but this gives customers at least four versions of the Sportage to choose from.
The State-Of-The-Art Interior
Kia is calling the new Sportage interior “state of the art” and that it plays with boldness in character. In the center of the cabin is an integrated and curved display with a nice, slim touchscreen pad and some superbly detailed air vents as well to make it a very pleasing space to be. The touchscreen itself is 12 inches, so there is plenty of visual fidelity and everything is easy on the eye, it would appear. The center console has been described as ergonomic and positioned to provide the best optimization possible for both the driver and the front passenger.
A Bigger Step Than Anticipated?
You would certainly be forgiven for thinking that Kia would take quite a minor step in evolving the Sportage, especially with the Soul not being a massive change of direction compared to the previous model. But that is most certainly not the case here. Kia is a brand that knows how to produce good, solid, reliable, and dependable machines and the Sportage has been one of those for many years now. Plus, it appears it is here to stay for a while given two hybrid versions are on the way, potentially setting up a move to full EV in the near future.
Source: Kia