Kia Sportage (NQ5)

Kia's strong-selling midsize crossover, the Sportage, is now on its fifth generation and for this generation, it's now officially all-new from top to bottom, even the inside out. It's time to take a look inside the latest evolution of Kia's first SUV that has been around since 1993.

2022 Kia Sportage

The all-new, fifth-generation Kia Sportage, priced at 24,880,000 Korean Won, is literally all-new from the ground up thanks to its radically new design that is part of Kia's new age as hinted by the creepy new logo that haunts kids these days.

2022 Kia Sportage

2022 Kia Sportage

So, what's it all about the new exterior design? Judging from the mosaic front face that looks awkward but weird in every way as well as the side profile and the clean rear design, Kia did a lot of homework transformed the Sportage into a sharp-looking crossover that is as artistic as the new era Kia vehicles since the K8 a few months ago. Of course, that was in the normal version of the Sportage but the top-of-the-line Gravity variant featured a Mohave-esque front bumper, a side sill, and a curved roof rack on the top, just to make it look slightly rugged for a crossover like this.

2022 Kia Sportage interior

Step into the interior and you will notice that the all-new Sportage features a massive curved display on the dashboard, which is somewhat similar to the new Opel Mokka a while back. Like the new Opel Mokka, that super-long screen positioned on the driver's side is where the speedo is on one side and a touch screen on the other. As such, you can expect plenty of stuff on the driver's side to toy around with such as the touch panel climate control, rotary gear selector, and others.

Inspired from last year's Hyundai Tucson NX4, the new Sportage features the roomiest interior in its class thanks to its longer wheelbase and a new platform it now dons. Not only the legroom feels good but the boot space as well. This is the Sportage that is all about practicality like all crossover SUVs should and fit for all walks of life.

2022 Kia Sportage

Under the hood, the new Sportage has a choice of two engines; the Smartstream Diesel 2.0L engine that produces 186PS of power, 42.5kg-m of torque, and up to 14.6km/L of fuel economy while mated to an 8-speed AT and the high-performance Smartstream Gasoline 1.6L Turbo engine that produces 180PS of power, 27kg-m of torque, and up to 12.5kmpl of fuel economy while mated to a 7-speed DCT. Both the petrol and diesel variants are offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.

2022 Kia Sportage Hybrid

And for the first time in a Sportage, a hybrid variant is offered and it comes with the Smartstream Turbo Hybrid powertrain where the turbocharged 1.6L petrol engine is bolted to a 44.4kW electric motor and a li-ion battery, while mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. With this setup, the fuel economy is around 16.7km/L. The catch? It's front-wheel-drive only so don't expect much.

Thanks to its new platform, the new Sportage is now easier to live with than the previous model and it behaves rather well also. Although not what you called exciting, it's nice to drive and it will give the Japanese opposition a quick run for their money. It even comes with the terrain mode switch that allows drivers to switch through different configurations that work through any given road condition. When set to Auto, it automatically detects road conditions for stable driving. It's almost as useful as a Roomba in your living room but if the auto's not your thing, you can switch through four different on-road modes and three off-road modes in case you're spending a weekend retreat at Hannibal's.

The new Sportage features a wide range of safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, rearview monitor, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Rear-side collision avoidance assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Remort Smart Parking Assist, Rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote 360 view Surround View Monitor. Quite a burn notice, huh?

The all-new Kia Sportage truly adapts to the new normal with its new look, new interior, new performance, and new tech. A fitting adage to Kia's new era and although some may not like the way it looks and feels, the all-new Sportage is a common-sense crossover for those who are wise to drive one.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Steel Grey, Gravity Grey, Fusion Blue Lake, Downing Red, Vesta Blue, Shadow Matte Gray, and Jungle Wood Green.

Photo: Kia

Fourth-generation Kia Sportage - 2019 minor change

The fourth-generation Kia Sportage is now on its 2019 model year and has been given a minor change. Called Sportage the Bold, this minor change features some of the newest additions on the commoner's crossover that is somewhat a commoner on Korean roads, from Seoul to Busan.

2019 Kia Sportage

2019 Kia Sportage interior

So, what's new on this minor change, you may ask? First and foremost, the Sportage has received new front and rear bumpers, which is somewhat hideous for crossover standards if you ask the other folks, as well as some new lamps and a choice of new alloy wheel designs from 16 to 19 inches. The interior hasn't been touched but it's been offered with a choice of two interior colors; black and brown. Also, the sat-nav's revamps with KakaoI voice recognition system, T-Map Mirror Link, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Plus, the Sportage is the first Kia to be offered with the brand new UVO IoT Service, which is a car-to-home service that lets you communicate with your Sportage while at home. It takes time to get used to opening your new Sportage with your voice but it beats using the key in a long shot.

2019 Kia Sportage

2019 Kia Sportage interior

The engine lineup's changed for this minor change as well. The e-VGT R2.0 diesel engine is now mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox while the old e-VGT U-II 1.7L diesel engine has been thrown away and replaced by a brand new 1.6-litre 'U3' Smartstream D engine, which is the cleanest diesel engine Kia has ever made. The new diesel engine produces 136PS of power and 32.6kg-m of torque and is mated with a 7-speed DCT, which has a tendency to not work if you are not familiar with double-clutch gearboxes on normal vehicles like this, fuel economy, depending on wheel size, is a combined 16.3km/L. The Nu 2.0L MPi petrol engine remains in the lineup but sadly, the manual gearbox is gone for good, which is somewhat a bad trip for some.

As for safety, the new Sportage comes with a wide range of driving aids such as Front Collision Avoidance, Back Side Collision Warning, Lane Departure Assist, High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Warning, and Driver Attention Warning, among many others.

The Sportage the Bold starts at 21,200,000 Korean Won.

Available colors: Pure White, Snow White Pearl, Steel Grey, Sparkling Silver, Fiery Red, Mercury Blue, and Cherry Black.

Photo: Kia Motors

Fourth-generation Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Sportage

Shortly after its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show, this all-new, fourth-generation, Kia Sportage managed to slip in through Korean dealerships following its world premiere to the massive motoring public in Europe and for this new model, this new model claims to be more attractive than the previous model with its new look, new tech, and greater quality.

2016 Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Sportage interior

To getting to know more about the Sportage, first, let's get to know more about its design and for this new model, feels like there's some mixed results involved here. From the front view, it looks like an oversized version of its little brother, the Soul, while the side view looks oddly similar to its previous-generation Sportage, while on the back, it looks like they've stole it from the not-for-Japan Toyota RAV4. The new exterior looks very questionable, right? And now, let's take a look on the interior and some might jump through conclusions that it was plagued by its uniformity that most interiors of present-day Kia models had but take a closer look and be the judge of it. Practicality-wise, the new Sportage promises to be more convenient than the last one thanks to rear folding seats, 1,492 litres of boot space, and seating variations that will accommodate any luggage-related scenarios. It even has high-tech features such as the UVO II telematics system, smartphone connectivity, and a smart tailgate.

2016 Kia Sportage

Bear that in mind that the new Sportage uses the same underpinnings as the latest-generation Hyundai Tucson, meaning that the engine choices offered in the Sportage are the same as the Tucson such as the e-VGT R2.0 diesel engine connected with either a 6-speed manual or automatic as well as the smaller e-VGT U-II 1.7L diesel engine that develops 141PS of power and 34.7kg-m of torque,  mated with a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox. Fuel economy for the 2.0L model is expected from 12.4 to 15.0km/L while the 1.7L model can expect 15.0km/L of fuel consumption, although driver verification is strongly advised to figure out how fuel efficient is these variants.

 

One thing that drivers will notice is the Drive Mode Select button which allows the driver to switch between three driving modes; SPORT, NORMAL, or ECO. When in SPORT mode, it firms up the suspension and makes it sharper to handle but for a car like this, let's call it as sharp as your recently-sharped pencil rather than a knife. Other things you might be keen about are the 4WD Lock button and the Idle Stop and Go system which turns off the engine while pulling at a set of lights.

For added safety, the new Sportage comes with driving aids such as Auto Emergency Brake, Blind Spot Detection, Electronic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Static Binding Light, and Advanced SPAS which allows this one to park hands-free.

The MSRP for the new Sportage starts at 21,790,000 Korean Won, which sounds like a lot less compared to the Tucson even though they got the same stuff, but anyway, it's a smart buy for a crossover well-tailored for any occasion.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia The New Sportage R

It's been three years since Kia's new generation Sportage, now called Sportage R, came out in the South Korean market and judging by the looks of it, I think this is a bit more better looking than its compatriot, the Hyundai Tucson iX. Anyway, while the Hyundai Tucson iX gained a facelift a couple of months ago, seems that the Sportage R is follow suit for its minor change.

Since there's little about the latest "minor change" for The New Sportage R, let's do a 47 second science. Ahem...47 second science. Big science questions answered in bite-sized chunks.

Question...for the 2014 model year, what's new for The New Sportage R? Let's find out what's new for this minor change in less than 47 seconds. Remember, this is a 47-second science experiment to explain what I'm on about with this minor change.

2014 Kia The New Sportage R

2014 Kia The New Sportage R

2014 Kia The New Sportage R interior

2014 Kia The New Sportage R interior

With my 47-second science begins, let's begin. Anyway, for the 2014 model year, The New Sportage R gained a refreshed version of the signature Tiger Nose grille as well as a newly redesigned fog lamps.

At the back, it has this bland-looking LED rear combination lamp which seems to be rather cheap and disapproving. I think I rather look at the pre-facelift model's rear lamps rather than this. On the side view, you can expect an all new 18-inch wheels that stays true to its refreshed look except it isn't a bit too showy most of the time.

On the interior, there are a little changes occurred such as a new instrumental cluster which has two-circles rather than the Abarth-like three meters from the pre-facelift model. What's also new is the "mood lamp" as you can find one in the front cupholders. Then, there's a two-way airconditioner made possible for the rear seats and then, the seats are now ventilated, sure enough to keep those seats cool down. It doesn't sounds more of a change to me but apparently, there's something new to its software.

I'm talking about UVO, Kia's telematics system first applied from last year's K9 flagship sedan. The 2014 Sportage R now has one and with UVO, you can even start the engine or open/close its doors using your smartphone. Theft-deterrent? UVO has a knack for that.

The Sportage R has two engine types available; a CRDi-VGT R2.0 diesel engine developing 184PS of power and a high-performance 2.0L T-GDi engine capable of producing 261PS of power. New for the Sportage R is the Flex Steer system as seen on the present-generation Hyundai i30, which allows the driver to change its handling characteristics to three different modes; ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT.

The new Sportage R from Kia Motors starts at 20,500,000 South Korean Won. For accessory purposes, a TUON interior kit costs 230,000 Won which comes with an LED door scuff plate and sports pedals while the TUON body kit costs 520,000 Won.

47-second science with The Sportage R. Big minor change questions answered in bite-sized chunks...

Photo: Kia Motors.

Sportage R GDi Turbo!

2012 Kia Sportage R T-GDi

Kia's smart crossover, the Sportage R, received the much awaited GDi turbo variant for the South Korean market. This is some kind of an aggressive expansion to its lineup.

Scoop:

http://www.megaauto.com/newcar/carinfo_body.php3?carinfoid=46578&family_id=icomes&menu_id=472&val=&Nstep=2&beforeyear=&frame_id=5&frame_url=list/drive.php3?id=53420

About that, the Sportage R GDi Turbo is packed with the turbocharged Theta II 2.0-litre Gasoline Direct Injection engine. This turbocharged GDi engine packs up to about 261 horsepower and the fuel economy to a frugal 11.2km/L (T-GDi 2WD variants). It comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Ms. Ginia Domingo, please add this to your queue of upcoming Kia models in the Philippines! For those who didn't know who's Ms. Ginia Domingo, she's the new head of Columbian Autocar Corporation, the official Kia distributor in the Philippines! I hope she got my memo and hopefully she get it right about bringing the latest Sportage to the Philippine market soon!

Ssangyong Korando C is a CLASSY UTILITY VEHICLE?

Last 2009, Hyundai launched the second generation Tucson, called Tucson iX, which has a concept of "Sexy Utility Vehicle", because of its sexy yet feisty exterior, plus fully loaded with the new R-diesel engine.

Later on, last Spring 2010, Kia takes on Hyundai's sexy Tucson ix with the smartest crossover, the third-generation Sportage, dubbed as Sportage R, giving the concept "Smart Inside" because of its smart innovation, smart design, smart exterior, and a smarter diesel engine. (Gosh, I just hope the new Sportage should arrive the Philippines soon! This is taking too long!)

With the Tucson iX and Sportage R battling around the Korean market, another contender steps in and it's not sexy, not smart, only Classy...

That's right, this crossover is neither sexy nor smart. It's Classy. CLASSY! I said! The Classy Utility Vehicle slated for sale this Spring is the Ssangyong Korando C. After facing several delays due to Ssangyong tries to make part of its new owner, Mahindra and Mahinda, an Indian automobile. With the prelaunching TV CF aired on some South Korean networks, needless to say that the "C" in the Korando C name really stands for "Classy", giving it a luxurious status for the owners.

Slated to be released in late February and sales start this early March, the Korando C is the new premium of the Korean crossovers. It's classy status giving it more of a touch of class.

Which would you prefer? The sexy Tucson ix? The smart Sportage R? Or the classy Korando C?

Kia Sportage R (Third generation Sportage)

2011 Kia Sportage R (Second-Generation Sportage)

Last two weeks in the International Motor Show at Geneva, Switzerland, Kia Motors has just unveiled the Kia Sportage's full model change, and yet it will be on sale this month at South Korea as the Sportage R.
(The R name is used at the second-generation Sorento and the Carnival minor change, as part of Kia's new naming structure from the Ks to the Rs that brings the Peter Schreyer design level up to the red zone)

Launched in 1993, ended in 2002, returned in 2004, and made a full model change in 2010, the Sportage always stands up from its fall to its awakening and continues to ravage against its top rival, the sexy Hyundai Tucson iX. (second generation Tucson) Now onto the description; while retaining Kia's trademark design language, the third generation Sportage was based on the Kia Kue concept, as seen in NAIAS on Detroit. This new face gives this smart crossover the sexier treatment that makes the Hyundai Tucson iX rival envious, and it is truly a lust for Korean car enthusiasts. Except for the backside, it makes it hard to distinguish if it is a Mazda CX-7, a Hyundai Tucson iX, or the real deal.

The Kia Sportage has a pleasant interior, which has a mixture of mature enjoyment, developed comfort, and grown smartness for adult drivers who are ready to take on the world. This crossover's leather seats are ventilated to cool down the drivers in their hot summer days, while the cluster ionizer air conditioning cools down the entire interior, perfect for those who are ready for the long vacation.

The R-engine, found on the Kia Sorento R and the Hyundai Tucson iX, which is a 2.0-litre diesel engine, adds a fastidious touch for the new Sportage. With the power output of 184PS, the new Sportage's performance is built to be a high-performance crossover utility vehicle that can be bragged by other drivers. Aside from the R 2.0-litre diesel engine offered, there is an optional Theta II 2.0-litre petrol engine available. The new Sportage is equipped with the new six-speed automatic transmission.

My thoughts about the Sportage R:
To negotiate the thrill of this evolved crossover, it is not surprising that the Sportage R is a great alternative to the Hyundai Tucson iX rival, as if you want to weigh against these Korean crossovers and see which one is right for you. I am flabbergasted that this new crossover might be the envy of all the Korean crossovers sold worldwide, and yes, it will be the best pick for the thrilled customers. How will the new Sportage R succeed? Find out when this car will be on sale in South Korea this month and soon in other markets, including the Philippines! The results might stun you!