Kia’s Sportage has slipped a bit below the radar recently, thanks to the brand’s mega-popular Telluride and a strong media push to get the news about the new Sorento out there.
Yet it hasn’t been forgotten. Indeed, it’s slated for updates for 2023.
Parsing the details is a bit tricky, as Kia’s press release is meant for global media and U.S. specs aren’t broken out. The brand’s U.S. media website didn’t even have a release as of 10:15 CST this morning, so we’re sourcing the folks over at the blog about autos, AKA Autoblog. That site reports the base engine will be a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Those are global numbers — AB thinks the output could get tweaked to match the power that the engine makes in another application: The K5 sedan.
A dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic seems the likely gearbox. We doubt that the American model will get the available diesel engine — or manual transmission.
We might, however, get two electrified models — a “regular” hybrid and a plug-in. Specs have not yet been released for either.
We do know there will likely be an electronic suspension with continuously active damping and a system that uses a combination of supplying torque to/braking of individual wheels to make for tighter turns. That latter bit should be part of the hybrid package.
A Terrain mode can adjust to unpaved terrain for light-duty off-road runs, and do so automatically. An X-Line trim will provide a more rugged look, while a GT-Line trim will use two-tone color schemes for a sportier appearance.
Kia did provide a length — 183 inches, which is a gain of six over the current/outgoing model. Autoblog notes the rear headroom and legroom numbers seem to suggest the Kia betters its class rivals.
As is often the case, the full picture has yet to be revealed, especially for the American market. If the Sportage tickles your crossover fancy, watch this space.
[Images: Kia]
Will there be a Sportage shortage?
Stylistically and interior-wise, overall each generation of H-K product gets stronger. Except the front end designs. It’s like they’re trying to out-origami everyone else. There’s nothing wrong with Plain Jane ya know.
It could be my eyes or my monitor, but is part of that interior navy blue? I like what I see so far, but as with the Tuscon, it seems to have blimped up considerably beyond the size I need.
No it is not your monitor. It looks blue to me. Let’s hope someone is finally bringing back colorful interiors on affordable cars.
The best and most successful Kia models (like the Telluride) have the old logo on the vehicle. This vehicle has the new logo and is Not Recommended.
[2022 Telluride will get the new logo – this is a Big Mistake.]
(ToolGuy notes that the new brand slogan of “Movement that inspires” has been downplayed on the Kia U.S. website. But they do have a Subaru-style ‘heart’ now. [Along with a glaringly obvious reference to Soviet farming which we shall ignore.])
Corporate Psychotherapy Moment: Kia has an upper limit problem (and is actively self-sabotaging). [Trigger warning: The link below, while referencing a book written by a man, is written by a woman. (I know many TTAC readers are not comfortable around females.)]
https://www.drnorthrup.com/do-you-suffer-from-an-upper-limit-problem/
You’re saying a vehicle isn’t recommended because of the logo? Um, odd. Second, why would putting their new logo on an existing vehicle be a mistake? It’s their logo. Lastly, how do you know many TTAC readers are not comfortable around females? I’m sure many MANY of us interact with females everyday. Again, an odd thing to say. Very strange post.
Sorry teddyc73, took me awhile to see this because I was reading through the thousands of TTAC comments from females.
NEWS ALERT : website devoted to auto news has more male readers than female. Film at 11.
Dude, what?
Some of us have been been married to the same female for a long time. Also, Soviet farming?
I spy, with my little eye:
https://www.kia.com/us/en
[Hint: Bottom left quadrant of the page.]
(No one does homework anymore, do they?)
Mercury Village Nautica edition colored interior of navy blue and white?
Be still my heart.