New Kia Sportage line-up locked in

Kia has confirmed the Aussie launch line-up and key specs for the new Kia Sportage ahead of the all-important mid-size SUV’s launch next month.

As we saw when it was unveiled in June, the fifth-generation 2022 Kia Sportage has a bold new look, fully redesigned cabin and fresh safety and tech that’ll set it apart from popular rivals such as the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV 2021, the Hyundai Tucson.

From launch, three engine options (all shared with the new Tucson) and four model grades will be offered on the new Kia Sportage – S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line. A fuel-saving hybrid powertrain will be released later.

Built on Kia’s latest N3 platform, the Sportage has moved up in size to bring a more spacious cabin for families.

The wheelbase is 85mm longer, now at 2755mm, while height has increased to 1660mm (+15mm), width is now 1865mm (+10mm) and length is 4660mm (+175mm).

A naturally-aspirated 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is available on all model grades except the range-topping GT-Line. It drives the front wheels through either a six-speed manual (S and SX) or six-speed-automatic gearbox (S, SX and SX+).

Elsewhere, a 137kW/416Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is available across the range, combining with an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive, while the high-series Sportage SX+ and GT-Line are offered with a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol that drives all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Kia is yet to announce performance, fuel consumption and towing figures.

Likewise, pricing for the 2022 Kia Sportage is yet to be revealed, but you can expect increases in line with the higher specification.

On the safety front, new advanced driver assist features include lane follow assist and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction turn assist as well as car, cyclist and pedestrian recognition.

A front centre airbag is now included (to prevent head-clash between the driver and front passenger), adding to other standard range-wide features such as tyre pressure monitoring, intelligent speed limit assist, multi-collision braking, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Meanwhile, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and an electric park brake are also now fitted at each grade, however these systems are restricted to automatic variants only.

Other standard equipment on the entry-level Sportage S includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), headlights and tail-lights, 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, six-speaker sound system and a new 8.0-inch central touch-screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio and Bluetooth.

The second-tier SX grade adds 18-inch alloys, a larger 12.3-inch touch-screen with navigation and wired smartphone connectivity, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, remote folding second-row seating and auto up/down windows up front.

Sportage SX+ brings larger 19-inch alloys, LED fog lights, an electric tailgate, eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, faux leather seats with heating up front, power-adjust driver’s seat, a smart key with push-button start, tinted windows and steering-mounted shift paddles.

At the top end, the Sportage GT-Line features a pair of curved 12.3-inch digital displays, rotary-style gear selector, 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, leather/suede seats, ambient mood lamp, alloy sports pedals, wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s seat memory, LED interior lighting and an electric passenger seat. 

Kia’s clever Remote Smart Park Assist feature, which first debuted on the 2020 Kia Sorento, is also fitted to the top-spec GT-Line, but only in models fitted with the diesel engine.

Every variant comes with a full-size spare wheel.

The only no-cost colour option is Clear White, while premium options include Steel Grey, Gravity Grey (new), Vesta Blue (new), Dawning Red (new) and Fusion Black (new). Meanwhile, Snow White Pearl and Jungle Wood Green (new) are reserved for SX+ and GT-Line grades.