Kia has released a string of highly successful crossovers including the popular Telluride and significantly improved Sorento. The latest member of the family is the redesigned Sportage, which will be celebrating its U.S. debut on October 27th. While today’s teaser isn’t very revealing, the crossover should follow in the footsteps of the Korean model that was unveiled earlier this year. We can expect an Opposites United design that is a significant departure from the outgoing model.
Among the highlights are a wide grille
that is flanked by boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights. The model also
sports tauter lines, a more adventurous greenhouse, and a rear liftgate that
incorporates some cues from the electric EV6. We can also expect rugged and
sporty X-Line and GT-Line variants. Some of the biggest changes will occur in
the cabin as the 2023 Sportage adopts a more modern and luxurious interior.
Highlights should include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch
infotainment system and a rotary shifter. We can also expect options such as
heated / ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and
advanced driver assistance systems such as Highway Driving Assist.
US-spec engines remain unconfirmed, but
the international variant offers a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that
develops 178 hp and 264 Nm of torque. Customers
can also opt for a hybrid variant, which features the aforementioned engine as
well as an electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This setup
improves fuel efficiency, while also increasing the output to 227 hp. Kia also offers a plug-in hybrid variant overseas and it builds on the
standard hybrid by adding a more powerful electric motor and a larger 13.8 kWh
lithium-ion battery. The model also has a more impressive combined output of
261 hp.
While it remains unclear if all three
powertrains will be offered in the United States, the Sportage will ride on the
N3 platform which underpins the Carnival, K5 and Sorento. The model should also
offer an adaptive suspension and a new Terrain Mode that “automatically adjusts
the Sportage’s settings so that the vehicle realizes an optimal drive dynamic
for any given road condition and environment, including snow, mud and sand.”
