Facelifted Kia Sportage ditches mild hybrid power for pure petrol
A mid-life facelift to the best-selling Kia Sportage has introduced punchier engines and some updated looks...
On sale Autumn Price from £30,885
The Kia Sportage is not only one of the best-selling cars in the UK, but it’s also among the very best cars on sale today. And both accolades are set to continue as Kia introduces an updated version.
The current Kia Sportage was only released in 2022, but its mid-life facelift sees changes to the engine range, interior, exterior and technology.
Kia has discontinued its mild hybrid models, so the entry-level Sportage now comes with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, pumping out 148bhp. That version is available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
You can still have your Sportage with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power, but those models are now kitted out with new electric motors, so they both get a slight increase in power. The regular hybrid now pumps out 236bhp – punchier than a Hyundai Tuscon hybrid. Official figures for the PHEV aren’t yet released, but we expect it to reach around 284bhp. That model is also now available with front-wheel drive, which should improve efficiency.
Both the full hybrid and PHEV are now available with a new six-speed automatic gearbox. That should hopefully be an improvement on the outgoing gearbox, which we found to be a bit sluggish under acceleration.
The Sportage is well-loved by customers, so it makes sense that Kia has been relatively conservative with exterior changes. There are some new column headlights and a wider grille spanning the front bumper. It also gets some new squared-off styling that blends in better with Kia’s electric models, and a new light signature at the rear.
A new selection of wheels allows you to choose from either 17in, 18in or 19in wheels, with GT-Line and GT-Line S trim levels available exclusively with 18in and 19in versions.
Inside, the Sportage gets a new 12.3in curved infotainment touchscreen, as well as a new 10.0in head-up display. The steering wheel has been changed to a two-spoke one that’s clearly inspired by the EV3 and EV6, and it now features physical buttons to change the drive mode – previously, you had to reach down to the centre console to operate that. Opting for top-spec GT-Line S trim will get you an additional 12.3in driver's display alongside the infotainment touchscreen; Pure and GT-Line models get a 4.2in version.
The infotainment system has been upgraded so it’s now compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and you can also opt to add entertainment packages including access to games, YouTube and streaming services. When we tested the new system, we noticed that the icons have been made bigger and therefore easier to operate, and it’s pleasantly responsive. It also gets the same ChatGPT-based voice assistant as in the EV3.
The Sportage is just as practical as it was before, with impressive leg and head room that give you more space than a Tucson. Boot space also remains unchanged – plug-in hybrid models get 540 litres, petrol models get 562 litres and hybrids get a capacious 587 litres. We managed to fit eight carry-on suitcases in the HEV, putting it well-ahead of rivals like the Honda ZR-V.
One thing to note is that Kia has consolidated its previous four Sportage trim levels into three: Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S. Those will be available across all models, whereas previously buyers could not opt for entry-level trim on the HEV or PHEV models.
All Sportage models come generously equipped with LED daytime running lights, automatic windscreen wipers, electrically-adjustable lumbar support on the driver's seat, a leather steering wheel and cruise control, among other features. GT-Line gets you some additional creature comforts, such as LED headlights, heated front seats and steering wheel and privacy glass, whereas opting for top-spec GT-Line S will add an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger and a 360-degree camera.
The new Sportage will arrive in showrooms in autumn this year. Prices for the petrol version will start at £30,885, which is cheaper than a Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson, but you'd pay around the same for a Nissan Qashqai. Meanwhile, if you opt for a Sportage HEV, prices start at £34,425, undercutting the current hybrid price by £1790.
Prices for the PHEV model will be revealed when it's unveiled properly later this year, but they are likely to be slightly cheaper than current pricing, given the fact that it's now available with front-wheel drive. That means prices for the plug-in hybrid could start from £38,000, which would undercut the Ford Kuga PHEV and Hyundai Tucson PHEV.
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