2022 Kia Sportage heralds brand’s new chapter in SUV design

The fifth-generation Kia Sportage has been officially unveiled today. Boasting a completely redesigned body, the new 2022 Kia Sportage opens a new interesting chapter in the company’s SUV design.

The mid-size SUV features a bold new front fascia that is sure to set its own identity amongst the saturated medium crossover segment. Making visual statement is the black textured grille stretching across the width of the fascia and neatly incorporating Kia’s modern signature Tiger Nose grille motive. Joining the grille are distinctive boomerang-shaped daytime running lamps, which in turn create solid boundary lines for the headlamps.

The side features taut lines cutting across sculpted body panels. Representing a first for the Sportage range, a black roof is now available with the new model, helping to accentuate the sporting profile.

At the rear, the all-new Sportage continues its strong road presence with broad shoulders and swooping fastback design that flows into the tail lamps. The razor rear lamps are connected by a slim horizontal design, giving the new Sportage a wide stance from the back.

The confident and contemporary design continues on the inside, with the dashboard completely restyled with an integrated curved display taking centerstage right in front of the driver. Sweeping across the cockpit giving a sense of width and depth, the sculpted display consists of the fully digital driving instrumentation display and centre touchscreen.

Kia claims the new Sportage boasts vastly improved interior materials, with dynamic and vibrant colour options available for the interior trim to lift cabin ambience.

While Kia has stopped short of confirming powertrain specs, we can expect the new Sportage to share the same engine and transmission line-up as its closely related cousin – the Hyundai Tucson.

This means a new 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder will replace the current 2.0-litre engine. Coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission, it will produce 141kW and 246Nm, up from 122kW/205Nm.

The 2.0L atmospheric engine will be joined by a 1.6-litre turbocharged, hybrid petrol engine that produces a combined output of 171kW and 348Nm of torque and uses Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology that manages valve opening duration for optimal power, efficiency and emissions.

Like the Tucson, the Sportage is also expected to introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model further down the track.

For the first time in the Sportage’s history, a bolder model has been introduced. The all-new Sportage X-Line features a unique bumper, side sill and curved roof rack. On the inside, customers can choose between a signature sage green or black seating, as well as bold quilting and black metal wood to further bring to life the model’s confident persona.

Due for global market launch later this year, more information on the all-new 2022 Kia Sportage will be made available in due course.

Check Also

2024 Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX Hybrid Review

Want a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid but not keen on waiting for 18 months? The …