Kia has launched its facelifted Sportage family car with updated exterior and interior styling and new engine choices.

The Kia Sportage has been updated to take the fight to the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson (also recently updated), Peugeot 3008, Toyota RAV4, Ford Kuga and Mazda CX-5. The range's line-up has been reduced from 12 to 9 derivatives, with only 1all-wheel-drive version available.

From an aesthetic point of view, the Sportage's exterior styling has been emboldened with a newly designed front-end including new-look headlights, fog lights and more chrome for a more sophisticated look.

The interior, meanwhile, has been updated and incorporates an attractive mix of soft-touch materials and convenience features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with integrated navigation), a wireless charging pad, split-folding rear seats, electrically adjustable front seats, power windows and -mirrors, park distance control, reverse-view camera and rake- and reach adjustable steering.

Engine choices

A range of petrol and diesel engines are on offer with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions. Trim levels include the entry-level Ignite/Ignite Plus and higher spec EX and EX Plus.

The engine range starts with the naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine in the Sportage 1.6 Ignite. It offers peak outputs of 97 kW and 161 Nm of torque and is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

A naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine powers the Sportage Ignite Plus, EX andEX Plus. It produces115 kW and 196 Nm of torque and is available with a choice of either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The solitary turbodiesel engine (the previous 1.6- and 1.7-litre units have been discontinued on the local market) is a 2.0-litre motor (131 kW and 400 Nm of torque), which is mated with a new 8-speed automatic transmission in the Ignite Plus,EX and EX Plus derivatives.

All Sportage derivatives are front-wheel driven except for the Sportage EX AWD automatic, which employs all-wheel drive. The new 8-speed auto is said to offer improved shift times and responsiveness. Fuel consumption has also been improved with the introduction of the new transmission.

We are driving the facelifted Kia Sportage at launch this week so look out for our launch report coming your way soon.

Kia Sportage – Prices in SA

Sportage 1.6L GDI IGNITE 2WD Auto – R379 995

Sportage 2.0L IGNITE PLUS 2WD – R389 995

Sportage 2.0L IGNITE PLUS 2WD Auto – R403 995

Sportage 2.0L Diesel IGNITE PLUS 2WD Auto – R453 995

Sportage 2.0L EX 2WD Auto – R459 995

Sportage 2.0L EX PLUS 2WD Auto – R499 995

Sportage 2.0L Diesel EX 2WD Auto – R509 995

Sportage 2.0L Diesel EX AWD Auto – R536 995

Sportage 2.0L Diesel EX PLUS 2WD Auto – R549 995

The Kia Sportage is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty, 5-year/90 000 km service plan and 5-year/unlimited km Roadside Assistance.

Buy a new or used Kia Sportage on Cars.co.za

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