New Kia Sportage priced from $28,990

A stronger body and new active safety technology headline the act that is Kia's all-new Sportage. The fourth-generation mid-sized SUV, which made its debut at the Frankfurt motor show last year replaces the SL-series on sale since 2010 – a model that sold more than 1.6 million units during its production run.

Kia says the larger new model offers a more modern interior layout and is more refined, factors that in part contribute to a list price increase of $3000. The base model Sportage Si is now priced from $28,990 (plus on-road costs). The range tops out at $45,990 for the high-grade Platinum.

The five-star EuroNCAP rated Sportage range now features Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning System and Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Smart Parking Assist System and High Beam Assist (on Platinum grade) and improved pedestrian safety features. It is said to offer 39 per cent better torsional rigidity than the outgoing model. Six airbags are standard across the range while two ISOFIX and three top-tether child-seat anchors are fitted to the rear seat.

Larger than the preceding model, the new Sportage measures 4480mm in length (+40mm) on a longer 2670mm wheelbase (+30mm). The front overhang grows 20mm while the rear is reduced 10mm. The vehicle's height is unchanged at 1635mm, as is its 1855mm overall width.

For the local market, the Korean-sourced Sportage is offered with a choice of three engines, two petrol and one diesel. Entry grade Sportage Si and mid-grade SLi variants are available with a 2.0-litre port-injected four-cylinder petrol engine (114kW/192Nm) while a 2.4-litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine(135kW/237Nm) is offered in high-grade Platinum only. A 2.0-litre direct-injected four-cylinder turbo-diesel (136kW/400Nm) is offered across the line-up.

Fuel consumption for the trio is listed at 7.9, 8.5 and 6.8L/100km respectively (ADR combined cycle).

All grades are offered as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels only in 2.0-litre petrol models. The 2.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel grades are fitted as standard with Kia's carry-over on-demand all-wheel drive system.

The Sportage's locally-tuned suspension is fully independent all-round (strut front, multi-link rear, lowered on Platinum GT Line variants) and the steering is a column-mounted electrically-assisted set-up offering a turning circle of 10.6m. All models are arrested by four-wheel disc brakes which measure 305mm up front (+5mm) and 302mm up back (+40mm). The electronic park brake now engages automatically when the vehicle is switched off.

Inspired by the 2013 Kia Provo the Sportage retains the concept model's ice cube-inspired LED foglights and aluminum-effect skid plates. The styling of the predecessor is replaced with a 'sportier' new look and corporate Tiger Nose grille (a la Rio), the swept-back styling and increased under-body panelling also reducing the model's aerodynamic coefficient from 0.35 to 0.33Cd.

The rear-end features slim combination tail-lights and horizontally themed design elements said to emphasise the car's width. High-grade Platinum models add dual exhaust outlets, a rear diffuser and new GT Line styling cues.

The Sportage rides on a choice of 17, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheel designs (shod with 225/60, 225/55 or 245/45-series tyres) depending on grade. All models come with a full-size matching alloy spare wheel.

Inside the Sportage brings higher material qualities and improved noise suppression qualities. The new look dashboard is angled 10-degrees towards the driver, and is divided into two zones Kia calls 'display' and 'control'. The former houses the car's infotainment array relevant to the Sportage's occupants while the latter houses touch-screen navigation, infotainment and HVAC controls Kia says are designed to be clearly visible to the driver while on the move.

The zones are offered in single and two-tone colour schemes, Platinum GT Line models available with a choice of standard black or optional two-tone grey leather upholstery (when selecting Snow White Pearl, Sparkling Silver, Mercury Blue or Cherry Black exterior paint). Metallic paint attracts a $520 premium.

Ventilated and heated, electrically-adjustable seats, a powered tailgate, Smart Welcome (keyless entry) function and a panoramic sunroof are also available on selected models. The Sportage is also offered with five-watt wireless (conductive) mobile phone charging, satellite navigation, reversing camera, Bluetooth connectivity and a 160-watt six-speaker audio system.

Passenger space sees a 5mm increase of headroom (now 997mm) up front and a 16mm improvement in the rear (now 993mm). Legroom grows to 1129mm (+19mm) in the front and to 970mm (+7mm) up back. The rear-seat floor is 40mm lower than the outgoing model while the hip point rises 30mm. Kia has also reinstated the adjustable rear-seat backrest found in its second-generation KM-series Sportage, offering seven steps from 23 to 37 degrees.

Cargo space grows by a single litre to 466 litres and is expandable to 1455 litres with the 60:40 split-fold seats flipped down. The cargo bay is 35mm wider and the floor 47mm lower (to 732mm) to aid the loading and unloading of heavier items. The fuel tank holds four litres more, now 62 litres.

"The new-generation Sportage will continue the story started some five years ago, this time with even more style, more technology and more quality," said Kia Motors Australia COO, Damien Meredith.

"Like the Carnival, Sorento and Optima launched in the last year, one of the standout advances is in the styling and quality of the interior. The cabin of the new Sportage stands in nobody's shadow.

"The new Sportage is an integral part of our sales initiatives and aspirations for 2016 and yet another opportunity for Kia to build on the brand strength and customer experience already leading the way with the benchmark seven-year warranty, seven-year capped price servicing and seven-year roadside assist," Meredith concluded.

The all-new Sportage is on sale now. Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our local launch review.

2016 Kia Sportage pricing (exclusive of on-road costs):
Si (2.0L petrol) – $28,990
Si (2.0L turbo-diesel) – $33,990
SLi (2.0L petrol) – $33,990
SLi (2.0L turbo-diesel) – $38,990
Platinum (2.4-litre petrol) – $43,490
Platinum (2.0-litre turbo-diesel) – $45,990