Kia Motors SA has expanded its Sportage family SUV line-up with no fewer than 7 new and/or enhanced derivatives and we recently sampled the latest addition, the diesel-powered Sportage 1.7 Ignite PLUS. Take a look at specification and pricing for the latest Sportage range below.

Customers looking to buy a Kia Sportage are spoilt for choice as the Korean carmaker has now bolstered the local Sportage range with 7 additional derivatives.

“Starting at a very competitive R369,995, we launched the all-new Sportage last year with a compact, five-model range spanning four specification grades. But, being a brand known for its ‘power to surprise’, our product planning did not stop there,” says David Sieff, Marketing Director, KIA Motors South Africa. “We now expand the model range with 7 additional derivatives, not only giving our customers more choice but, more importantly, also creating more value.”

What's new in the Sportage range?

The Sportage range now features 12 derivatives, giving buyers a comprehensive choice of engines and trim grades.

For starters, theentry-level Sportage 2.0 Ignite model, which was previously only available with a manual transmission, is nowoffered with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Standard features on the Ignite derivatives include LED daytime running lights, automatic headlight control, rear park distance control, Bluetooth connectivity, and steering wheel-mounted remote controls, to name but a few.

“Many customers value the size, space, practicality and versatility of an SUV, but have no real need or desire for too many bells and whistles,” says Gary Scott, CEO Designate, KIA Motors South Africa. “The Sportage Ignite ticks those boxes, and now also the ‘convenience’ box thanks to the addition of the automatic derivative,” he adds.

Customers also have the choice ofnew Sportage Ignite PLUS derivatives thataddseveral exterior enhancementssuch as front fog lights and larger 17-inch wheelswhile the interior features anelectrochromatic rearview mirror. Powering theSportage Ignite PLUS is the familiar 2.0-litre petrol engine with 114 kW and192 Nm of torque with a choice of either a6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Ignite PLUS derivative also welcomes a 1.7-litre CRDI engine to the Sportage range as an alternative engine option. The new 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine develops 85 kW and 280 Nm of torque and is offered witha 6-speed manual transmission. We recently drove this derivative at launch, read our report!

A new 1.7-litre turbodiesel joins the range and is offered on the Sportage Ignite Plus derivative.

The Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX was the only mid-spec offering in the range at launch, featuring a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. KIA has now expanded the EX offeringwith the addition of a 2.0-litre petrol option. The EX derivatives offerall of the features found on the Ignite variant, but adds useful features such as an electric parking brake, front park distance control, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, a Smart Key with Start/Stop button, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, and electric folding side mirrors with integrated indicators.

In addition to this,two new EX PLUS derivatives are also available, slotting in between the EX and range-topping SX all-wheel drive derivatives and customers can choose between the 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. In terms of specification, all of the standard features of the EX models are included in on EX Plus derivatives but additional features including 19-inch alloy wheels, electric front seats, a rear-view camera as well as a 7-inch touchscreen with integrated satellite navigation form part of the package.

The remainder of the Sportage line-up remains unchanged, with the 2.4 GDI and 2.0 CRDI SX AWD models and 1.6 T-GDI GT Line model rounding off the range.

Kia Sportage – Price in South Africa

*See new derivatives in bold

The Kia Sportage is sold with a5-year/unlimited km warranty, 5-year/90 000 km service plan and 5-year/unlimited km roadside assistance.

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