Malaysia-bound Kia Sportage gets an update in South Korea

KUALA LUMPUR: Kia confirmed the arrival of its C-segment SUV, the Sportage, in Malaysia back in July. While the launch is still awaited, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage has already received an upgrade in the Korean market. The refreshed model gets styling and mechanical upgrades along with the more advanced technology.

2025 Kia Sportage: What’s new?

Exterior

The new Kia Sportage boasts a refreshed styling with a more rectangular grille vertically slotted on the taller front end. It is coupled with the all-new vertical headlights, ​​inspired by the flagship EV9 electric SUV. The rear fascia is jazzed up with the revised bumper and new tail light signature integrating welcome animation upon opening.

Also new for the model year 2024 are revised side skirts and new alloy wheels with sizes ranging from 17 to 19-inches.

Interior

The interior of the fifth-gen Kia Sportage has also received several notable upgrades. These include - 

• Dual 12.3-inch screens now powered by Hyundai and Kia's latest 'ccNC' software, supporting over-the-air software updates
• Redesigned dashboard with new horizontal air vents
• New polygonal steering wheel featuring a touch detection system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now available as standard
• Updated phone-as-a-key function
• A built-in dash cam
• Head-up display
• Augmented reality views for the satellite navigation system
• A 3D mode for the surround-view camera
• A new Lounge Brown interior colour

Engine 

Under the hood of the new Kia Sportage lies the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol generating the same 180 PS of maximum power and 265 Nm of peak torque. However, the said mill now comes paired with a new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission replacing the older seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid setup, on the other hand, now features a more powerful 60 PS electric motor, boosting its combined output to around 234 PS. The hybrid engine also includes steering wheel shift paddles for the adjustment of the regenerative braking level. 

Safety

In terms of advanced driver-assistance tech, the Kia Sportage benefits from Hyundai’s latest Highway Driving Assist 2 technology, which helps with lane changes on the motorway. The lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking software have been updated and a driver-facing attention monitoring camera has been added.

The new Kia Sportage is likely to be showcased at the 2024 Los Angeles Motor Show later this month. 

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