Kia Sportage upgrade priced from 21,000 USD

Kia has introduced a facelifted version of the Sportage in Korea, three years after the fifth generation was launched. The update brings a sharper front end, a more premium interior and some under-the-hood improvements to boost its appeal in a fiercely competitive segment.

Following the formula Kia has used for the Picanto, Sorento, Carnival, K4 and K8, the new Sportage is in line with the brand’s expanding electric vehicle range. The highlight is a redesigned front end with sharper vertical headlights, larger front bumper air intakes and a refreshed grille.

On the sides, the design remains largely the same, but with new front fender flares and 17- and 19-inch alloy wheels. LED taillights with new graphics and a slightly revised rear bumper add to the sharp look. The X-Line, still the top-of-the-line version, features sportier bumpers, additional black accents and 19-inch wheels.

The digital cabin incorporates two curved 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD). There is a redesigned two-spoke steering wheel, upgraded ambient lighting, slimmer air vents and new buttons.

Safety technology has also been improved: the system will vibrate the steering wheel if it detects the driver's hands are not on it, a driver-facing camera and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

In Korea, the standard Kia Sportage is equipped with a 2.0-liter liquefied natural gas (LPG) engine with a capacity of 144 horsepower. The 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine version produces 177 horsepower, combined with a new 8-speed automatic transmission, with smoother shifting than the old 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Kia Sportage hybrid has also been improved, gaining 5 horsepower over the previous version. The powertrain combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 177 horsepower and an electric motor that provides an additional 64 horsepower.

Kia has also optimized the regenerative braking system, allowing the driver to adjust the intensity via the paddle shifters, while the adaptive braking system responds to road conditions based on data from the navigation system. The electrified Sportage also has a child mode like the Hyundai Tucson, designed specifically for customers traveling with infants or pets to feel a gentler acceleration.

The chassis has been revised with a front strut brace with two-way dampers, which helps reduce road noise. Noise and vibration isolation has also been improved thanks to additional soundproofing materials in the B-pillars, dashboard and door panels. Acoustic glass is available from the 2023 model year.

In Korea, the price of the upgraded Kia Sportage ranges from 20,600-35,300 USD, depending on the engine and equipment level.