Kia has given a cosmetic makeover to its best-selling model in Europe and the third best-selling SUV in the C-segment. In our country, almost every fourth example is a Sportage.
Kia sportage after its launch in 2010 and around 2,400 units sold, it is about halfway through the market, which means it was also time for the first cosmetic overhaul. This does not mean that the Sportage needed a drastic renovation, as it is still a design-fresh model, and the changes are mostly cosmetic in nature.
On the exterior, the most noticeable thing is the different front part, which is more in line with current fashion trends, and the difference is mainly in the slats of the engine mask. There is also more color diversity, as four new body colors are available, and the line of alloy wheels has also been refreshed. In favor of modernity, they also gave it an antenna in the shape of a shark's fin, and on the back the whole thing is rounded off by lights in LED technology.
New materials, better upholstery
Stepping into the interior is still very high, the seating is the same, but certain materials are now better, and a higher level of driving comfort is also ensured by a more comfortable suspension and better sound insulation. A veritable flood of equipment packages ensures that the buyer will find exactly what he wants, and according to the importer, the best-selling package is the urban package, which includes automatic air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking aids, fog lights with cornering light function, rain sensor, armrest in front, audio device with USB-AUX connectors and buttons on the steering wheel and bluetooth, a small leather package, cruise control and what else could be found. Higher up the equipment scale, the following also become part of the equipment: leather upholstery, heated seats in both rows of seats, a panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, an automatic parking system, navigation with a touch screen and a reversing camera.
A phalanx of different engines, gearboxes and drives
In terms of engines, the only novelty is the 2.0-liter GDI gasoline engine with 122 kW, which is the only one available to order, while the other engines are known from before, namely, on the gasoline side, the 1.6-liter GDI with 99 kW power , and on the diesel, 1.7 and 2.0-liter CRDI units with 84-, 100-, and 135 kW of power (2.0 GDI HP).
The gearbox is now basically always a six-speed manual, but for an additional fee it can be replaced by an automatic transmission in certain versions. Basically, the drive is sent to the front wheel pair, and with both 2.0-liter engines, the drive is a four-wheel drive from the renowned manufacturer Dynamax, and the torque is basically distributed by the electronics in a ratio of 60:40 and, if necessary, adjusted to the current driving conditions.
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Prices start at 16,990 euros, which is the price of the 1.6 GDI fun version, and 19,270 euros for the diesel. The best seller is said to be this engine, with a step higher package – the urban, which costs 20,990 euros.
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