Facelifted 2025 Kia Sportage SUV takes shape

The 2024 Kia Sportage range will be bolstered in Australia soon with the long-awaited arrival of a hybrid powertrain, but there’s a comprehensive mid-life update also in the pipeline for carsales’ reigning Best Mid-Size SUV.

We’re yet to see any official or spy imagery, but a design refresh is likely to surface later this year ahead of an expected local launch in the first half of 2025 – less than six months after the related Hyundai Tucson touches down.

The new-look Sportage is expected to be redesigned with styling cues from the latest Kia Sorento, as previewed by these unofficial renders out of Europe from Kolesa.

Gone is the busy, multi-layered front-end and in its place is a more subdued fascia comprising stylised T-shaped daytime running lights, vertically stacked headlights and all-new ‘tiger nose’ grille and bumper combination.

Changes have also been applied to the back-end, primarily to the tail-light clusters and broader lighting signature, which have been sharpened in tandem with a bolder rear bumper.

These unofficial digital renders look cleaner than the current model, but we’ll reserve final judgement until we see the new Sportage in the metal.

No major changes are expected to be made under the bonnet, though carsales has it on good authority the ageing seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission paired with the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine could be ditched in favour of the brand’s eight-speed torque-converter auto.

Mild chassis and steering tweaks are also likely for the higher grades, along with safety and convenience feature upgrades across the range.

Digital images: Kolesa.ru

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