Kia unveiled the European version of the fifth-generation Sportage ahead of its world premiere at the IAA Munich Motor Show next week. The new crossover is designed specifically for Europe and although it mostly looks like the global model that was revealed in early July, it’s actually 133 mm shorter. At 4,515 mm long, it’s roughly the same size as the short-wheelbase Tiguan (4,509 mm), also designed specifically for the European market. Kia says that the styling, tech, and powertrains have all also been designed with European customers in mind.
Although it’s shorter than the global variant of the Sportage, the European model does share the same dramatic front fascia. That means a grille that links the brand’s modern Tiger Nose grille to the distinctive LED DRLs which form a solid boundary for the Matrix LED headlights.
In another first for the Sportage in Europe, Kia is now offering a black roof to help accentuate the crossover‘s distinctive design lines. Buyers will be able to pick from 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels that come in a range of six different alloy designs, colors, and finishes. The interior of the new Sportage is also bold and sports a big, curving 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. An integrated controller, meanwhile, gives occupants a variety of options for interacting with the it.
Behind the steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster has been added with the latest full thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display for clear graphics. Drivers will be able to see maps on the screen and will always know it features the latest information thanks to over-the-air updates that will keep all of the infotainment up to date. Despite its smaller exterior size, second-row passengers will get 996 mm of legroom and 998 mm of headroom. Owners will be able to make use of 591 liters of luggage behind the rear seats. With those 40:20:40 folding seats down, cargo space rises to 1,780 liters.
Under the hood, Kia is offering European customers a range of drivetrains that includes a plug-in hybrid, a hybrid, a mild-hybrid, and a diesel. The PHEV version features a 1.6-liter T-GDI engine and a 66.9 kW permanent magnet traction electric motor with a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. All in, it produces 261 hp. The hybrid model, meanwhile, uses the same T-GDI engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor with a 1.49 kWh battery and makes 226 hp.
The mild-hybrid model also uses the 1.6-liter four-cylinder T-GDI engine, which can make either 147 hp or 177 hp. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, meanwhile, is available with 113 hp or 134 hp and features SCR active emissions control technology to help reduce NOx and other harmful emissions. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is available for the 1.6-liter as is a six-speed manual transmission for all variants. All European models are equipped with Stop-and-Go technology as standard.
Along with the variety of engines, Kia is also offering a range of driving modes in the new Sportage. In a first for the marque, in addition to Comfort, Eco, and Sport, there is a new Terrain Mode that has been developed for driving on snow, mud, and sand. The new Sportage also features an Electronic Controlled Suspension, which constantly adjusts damping control to keep the vehicle as sporty, comfortable, or capable as it can be at all times.
Kia’s N3 platform is designed to be rigid and lightweight, improving handling and making the SUV particularly safe, the automaker says. It also comes with advanced safety technology like forward-collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control that uses navigation information to help keep the Sportage at a safe speed if it notices a sharp bend on the road ahead. It also features Intelligent Speed Assist to automatically adjust your cruise speed when the limit changes.
Kia expects the new 2022 Sportage to go on sale in the U.K. early next year. Prices will be announced closer to that date.
