Not that we’re getting that here, though.
Korean carmaker Kia has pulled the wraps off its new Sportage facelift, due for the 2019 model-year and packing a variety of incremental upgrades, and some more noticeable revisions. The Sportage is a firm favourite in many markets it plays in, with its blend of style, practicality, and reliability. With this latest facelift, sporting changes outside and in, the Sportage’s strong appeal will likely continue until a new model arrives around 2022 thereabouts.
The most obvious changes are the exterior aesthetics, which we’ll cover first. The ‘tiger nose’ grille that’s trademark of the company now stands sharper in this new iteration, while the lights that flank it sport ‘four-point’ LED daytime running lights, like the newly-unveiled Cerato saloon (and not unlike Porsche). On the GT-Line trim that’s been shown here, you’ll also notice silver skid plates, dark-chrome trim, and 19-inch alloys, the latter unique to the GT-Line.
The rest of the lineup get redesigned wheels (either 16- or 17-inches depending on trim), while all cars gain a new rear bumper valance, featuring exposed exhaust tips on the GT-Line (vanilla models will hide the exhaust behind the bumper).
The interior sees the fitment of a new steering wheel, a refreshed instrument cluster, and new upholstery options. GT-Line models gain a standard black/grey two-tone leather package, though there is the option of black leather with red accents, should you so want them.
The big change here comes where you cannot see it. The EcoDynamics+ powertrain makes its local debut on the Sportage, pairing a 2.0-litre ‘R’ CRDi turbo-diesel unit with a 48V battery and a starter-generator unit. This engine has already been decided upon insofar as Australian availability is concerned: It’s a firm no.
Elsewhere, European Sportages are set to lose their existing 1.7-litre turbo-diesel mills, in favour of cleaner, leaner 1.6-litre units that are compliant with the latest European emissions regulations. As for us, we’re expected to receive the newly updated Sportage here come July, but stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you more updates as they come.
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