Kia has expanded the Sportage range with a new hybrid model. Powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired to a 59 hp electric motor, the SUV aims to be as powerful as it is efficient. Together, the electric motor and the internal combustion engine make 226 hp. Kia is targeting consumption figures of 39 mpg (6.0 L/100 km) and a total range of more than 805 km from the SUV. The automaker further promises that CO2 emissions will be reduced by almost 40 percent compared to the outgoing model.
With the help of a six-speed automatic
transmission and a high-output 1.49 kWh battery, Kia says the Sportage Hybrid
will be capable of towing up to 2,000 lbs. The vehicle will be offered in three
trims. The base LX comes with either FWD or AWD, while the EX and SX-Prestige
trims will only be available with AWD.
In the cabin, the Sportage Hybrid can be
equipped with dual panoramic curved displays, a 12.3-inch instrument panel and
a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display, for nearly 25 inches of viewing.
The EX trim and above will also present customers with the option of
animal-free leather to help keep things green. Wireless Android Auto and Apple
CarPlay will be standard on all trims, though a wireless charging pad for your
smartphone is an option. Kia will offer a 360-degree Surround-View Monitor with
3D view (a first on the Sportage) and Harman-Kardon premium audio as options,
too.
The Sportage Hybrid comes with a suite of standard safety features, such as Driver Attention Warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance, rear occupant alert, a rearview monitor, and reverse parking distance warning. Blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, intelligent speed limit assist, navigation-based sart cruise control, and more are available as optional driver assistance systems.
Kia has not yet revealed pricing, but says the Sportage Hybrid will arrive in dealer showrooms early next year.
