China has received the facelifted Kia KX5 (Kia
Sportage) with a unique front fascia. The new model debuted at the 2018
Guangzhou Auto Show this week. The China-only facelift
features a longer hood and a more prominent tiger-nose radiator grille flanked
by substantially sleeker and more streamlined headlamps that are not as
swept-back. Right below the lights are the four-level LED clearance lamps. A
thin opening in the mid-section of the bumper lends a good amount of
aggression. The ice-cube fog lamps too are a little different, and their
housing is slimmer.
The Chinese-spec version enjoys exclusivity even at
the rear. The tail lamps, connected via a new red strip, sport distinctive
graphics. As Chinese customers prefer chrome, there's a chrome strip right
above the tail lamps and the red embellisher covering the entire width.
Kia says that the updated model features a new
infotainment system co-developed with Tencent QQ Music. So, it is possible to
stream music via simple voice commands, such as “play a song of Avicii”, or
even just saying “sleepy”, which will lead to an energetic music playlist that
keeps the driver awake.
Dongfeng Yueda Kia will offer the new KX5 with the
same engines: Nu 2.0-litre GDI petrol (165 PS/203 Nm) and Gamma 1.6-litre T-GDI
petrol (177 PS/265 Nm). These engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic
transmission and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission respectively.
Customers choosing the 1.6-litre engine can opt for an AWD system.
