Launch
The Kia Sportage was highly enjoyed as a compact SUV from 1993 to 2004 and shared collaborations with other automobile giants. Its first generation was manufactured with a Mazda engineering platform. The second generation was released in 2005 bearing a Hyundai Elantra platform. On its third production, Kia Motors fitted this highly demanded car with a Hyundai R diesel engine.
The current generation of the Sportage was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. It was made available worldwide a year after.
Exterior
The Kia Sportage measures 4,480mm long, 1,855mm wide, and 1,655mm high. Its fascia flaunts the popular tiger-nose grille paired with a set of sharp-looking headlamps and fog lights. The GT variant comes with LED headlights and daytime running lights.
All variants of the Sportage share the same sporty physique. It is designed with pleasing curves and lines that assist its aerodynamic capabilities. A noteworthy physical feature of the Kia Sportage is its mighty stance brought about by its high ground clearance of 172mm and 17 to 19-inch wheels.
Interior
As expected, the cabin of the Kia Sportage boasts premium features such as a well-designed dashboard with reachable buttons and controls, comfortable and upholstered seats that can accommodate five people, and piano black plastic trimmings throughout.
The Sportage GT variant offers “Sofino” leather-wrapped steering wheel, seats, armrest, gear selector, and door cards. Rear passengers will enjoy the foldable armrest that doubles as a cup holder. Storage is easy as cubby holes and net bags are thoughtfully distributed inside.
Carrying cargoes is convenient as it offers a trunk space of 491 liters that doubles when the rear seats are down.
Technology & Safety Features
The Kia Sportage comes with useful innovations such as keyless entry, automatic folding mirrors upon locking, push start engine, speed-sensing door locks, automatic rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, and cruise control.
An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, AUX, USB connectivity provides entertainment inside the Sportage’s spacious cabin. As for safety, it comes with a good number of SRS airbags, an anti-lock braking system, downhill brake control, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and ISOFIX anchors for child seats.
Platform & Chassis
This front-wheel-drive vehicle is built with a unibody chassis that guarantees smooth rides even on challenging terrains. The Sportage is paired with a Macpherson front Strut suspension and a rear multi-link setup.
Engine & Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage is powered with either a 2.0-liter gasoline engine that produces 153 hp with a torque of 192 Nm or a 2.0- liter turbodiesel engine that guarantees 183 hp and a torque of 400 Nm.
