This is the new Kia Sportage for China, but it is
not totally new. The new Kia Sportage is the successor of
the third generation Kia Sportage (SL), which is still in production in China.
The Sportage sells for 144.800 to 189.800 yuan. Power comes from a 165 hp 2.0
mated to a six-speed auto or manual. The current fourth generation (QL) Kia
Sportage is called Kia KX5 in China. The Kia KX5 and Sportage are made by the
Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia joint venture.
So basically this is a very old car in new clothes,
and somehow it looks outdated already, which it is. And guess what? You would
think this is a nice moment for Kia to retire the old 2.0 and replace it with
something smaller and turbocharged. But they won’t. The 2.0 continues in the
new not-so new Sportage. Price range will be about the same as the outgoing
car.
This is not going to be an easy sell in a time that
Chinese car makers are making very good cars for this segment; on new
platforms, with new turbocharged engines, giant touch screens, and daring
design. Kia is in a bad position here, and the same goes for Hyundai.
