All-new Kia Sportage finally gets revealed
Earlier this month, Kia gave us a teaser of their upcoming Sportage. From the bit revealed, Kia showcased a more poised and elegant designed Sportage, leaving many curious to know more. Now after much anticipation, Kia has finally taken the wraps off their brand-new Sportage.
Exterior-wise, the Sportage will feature a detailed black grille graphic that stretches across the entire front. As expected, Kia’s modern signature Tiger Nose grille will become the focal point, with its distinctive futuristic-styled boomerang-shaped DRLs (daytime running lamps) bringing together its modern appeal. A black roof, which is a different colour option for the vehicle’s body, will now also be available too. To create a sense of harmony within its design, a chrome beltline will run onto the rear all the way into the D-pillar.
The rear too gets a very strong and sporty presence, with its broad shoulders emphasizing the Sportage’s design. A muscular swooping fastback will flow into the rear lamps and forms the outline of the rear lamp graphic. Razor rear lamps will be connected by a slim horizontal design, giving the Sportage a wider appearance from the back. To complete the rear’s design will be a large lower graphic bumper casing.
The inside of the Sportage will come state-of-the-art technology and a driver-orientated cabin. A curved display with a touchscreen pad will become the centre focus of the cabin with the finely detailed air vents capturing the Sportage’s elegant design. The centre console will be positioned for the driver and passenger and will be finished with a high-end gloss. It will feature a storage compartment, an operating system configuration, cupholders, as well as soft-touch switches. The rear and front passenger seats will feature slim headrests, which allows for clothing and handbags to be conveniently hooked into place.
For the first time ever, the Sportage will feature an X-Line model. The Sportage X-Line will come with a unique bumper, side sill, and curved roof rack. Its cabin will have a signature sage green or black seating, as well as bold quilting and black metal wood.
The Kia Sportage is set to be launched to the global market later this year, with more information to follow in the next couple of months.
Also worth a look: the Kia Seltos and the Kia Sportage.
FAQ
Q: What does the new Kia Sportage cost in South Africa?
The all-new Kia Sportage is expected to start from around R450,000 for the base model when it launches in SA, with higher-spec variants likely reaching R650,000 or more.
Q: Is the new Kia Sportage worth buying?
The new Sportage looks like a solid bet with its modern design, advanced tech features, and Kia's improving reliability record, making it a strong contender in the competitive SUV market.
Q: When will the new Kia Sportage be available in South Africa?
Kia South Africa hasn't confirmed an official launch date yet, but the new Sportage is expected to arrive in local showrooms sometime in 2022.
Q: What are the main competitors to the new Kia Sportage?
The new Sportage will compete directly with the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson in the hotly contested compact SUV segment.
Q: Does the new Kia Sportage come with a warranty in South Africa?
Kia typically offers a 5-year/150,000km warranty on new vehicles in SA, and the new Sportage should come with the same comprehensive coverage.
Should You Buy It?
The new Kia Sportage looks like a winner on paper with its striking design, tech-loaded cabin, and the introduction of the rugged X-Line variant. At an expected starting price of around R450,000, it positions itself competitively against rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. The dramatic styling refresh, curved display tech, and practical touches like the hooked headrests show Kia is serious about taking on the SUV big boys. Wait for local pricing confirmation and test drive availability, but this Sportage could be the best family SUV under R500,000 in South Africa when it arrives.
