- The redesigned Kia Sportage has finally dropped its heavy disguise.
- Follows in the footsteps of the Telluride and adopts a boxy design.
- Crossover should offer an improved hybrid powertrain with 242 hp.
The Sportage is Kia’s best-selling vehicle in America and dealers recently set an all-time August record by moving 18,723 units. This means there’s a lot riding on the redesigned model, which will be a notable departure from its predecessor.
Spy photographers recently snapped the next-generation Sportage, but this is the first time we’ve seen it without bulky padding. This effectively reveals the final shape of the vehicle, although a number of details are still hidden by camouflage.
More: Kia’s Next Sportage Is Getting A Rugged Redesign
Right away, it’s easy to see the crossover will adopt a boxier design that echoes the Telluride. Since that model bears a passing resemblance to the Range Rover, it’s little surprise this looks a bit like the Range Rover Sport.
That being said, the Sportage adopts a more upright front end with a wide grille that is flanked by vertical lighting units. We can also see a rounded front bumper as well as a rectangular lower intake with a central sensor pod.
Slab-sided bodywork replaces the soft curves and sharp lines found on today’s model. Designers also gave the Sportage pronounced side skirts and a relatively flat beltline. They’re accompanied by a rakish windscreen, a gently sloping roof, and stylish two-tone wheels.
SHProshots
The nearly vertical rear end sports a massive spoiler as well as an angular window that looks pretty small. We can also get a glimpse of vertical taillights with a split design and a license plate recess that has been moved from the liftgate to the bumper.
Spy shooters didn’t get a look inside, but previous images have shown the model will adopt a new Pleos Connect infotainment system. It’s offered in a variety of sizes including 12.9-, 14.6-, and 17-inches.
Little is known about the Sportage at this point, but the redesigned Hyundai Tucson gives us a pretty good idea of what to expect. It’s 2.3 inches (60 mm) longer than its predecessor and has an extra 1.1 inches (30 mm) between the wheels.
SHProshots / Kia
Furthermore, the upcoming Tucson Hybrid will have a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine as well as a combined output of 242 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque. This will enable the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 8.5 seconds and have a fuel economy rating of around 41 mpg.
The hybrid powertrain will likely migrate to the Sportage and it would be a slight improvement over today’s model. As a refresher, it’s currently rated at 232 hp (173 kW / 235 PS) and 271 lb-ft (367 Nm) of torque.
