After making its local debut just over two years ago, the Kia Sportage has now been significantly enhanced with revisions to engine and transmission options, and an amended model line-up. Launched in 1993 and spanning four generations since, the Sportage is the most successful model in the history of Kia and this year – in its 25th anniversary year – celebrated five million cumulative sales worldwide.
The range now has a more prominent ‘tiger nose’ grille and a new bumper design with a more noticeable housing for the front fog lamps. The rear bumper is also revised and the rear taillights – with a connecting strip between the lights – feature a new lighting signature. Other enhancements include new alloy wheel designs in 16-, 17- or 19-inch sizes and new colour options.
The SX AWD and GT Line grades have been discontinued, leaving only one manual and AWD model in the range. The Ignite grade stays the entry point into the range, followed by the revised Ignite Plus (now with front fog lamps and 17-inch wheels), the EX-grade with upgraded infotainment system and the range-topping EX Plus models.
Both the 2.0-litre MPI and 2.0-litre CRDI engines are retained, but the 2.4 GDI and 1.6 T-GDI mills have been dropped in favour of the 1,6-litre Gamma GDI engine (97 kW/161 Nm), used exclusively in the Ignite. The CRDI turbodiesel is now also mated to a new eight-speed auto transmission, and pricing range from R379,995 for the 1.6 GDI Ignite auto to R549,995 for the 2.0 CRDI EX Plus auto.
– Ferdi de Vos
