This is the new Kia Sportage, which replaces the second-gen model that has sold 860,000 units since 2004. The Geneva showstar looks nothing like that car though, dumping the stodgy image to join Kia’s Peter Schreyer led design revolution.
Immediately recognisable as the younger brother to the Sorento, this new Sportage is longer, wider and lower than the previous model (by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively). Its 2640 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than a Honda CR-V’s even though the Kia is shorter overall by 80 mm – minimal overhangs see to that. Despite the size increase, weight is down by 91 kg model for model.
Two engine variants are available now; a 2.0-litre CRDi diesel with VGT (134 bhp/304 Nm) and the Theta II 2.0 petrol with 161 bhp/194 Nm. In both camps, smaller engines with Start/Stop will join later this year – a 1.7-litre CRDi (113 bhp/255 Nm) and a 1.6-litre version of the Theta II with 138 bhp and 166 Nm. The 2.0 models can be had with on-demand AWD with lock function for 50:50 torque split. All variants but the 2.0 petrol manual have six forward ratios.
Euro-spec models come with lots of kit, including ESC with a new Rollover Sensor (that pre-deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners), Hillstart Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control (to limit speed during a steep descent) and an optional rear-view camera with LCD display integrated into the rear-view mirror.
Sharing much of its underpinnings with the soon to be launched in Malaysia Hyundai Tucson (called ix35 in Europe), both cars will be built in Slovakia, besides Korea of course. We can look forward to Naza Kia bringing this car to our shores, although it won’t be before the Sorento, which should debut sometime this year.
More pictures after the jump.
Kia Sportage live images from Geneva
Kia Sportage official images
Another great design from KIA, bravo!
Thats a real nice improvment in the looks department.
The last Sportage and Tucson was a little boring…perhaps an understatement in itself……
WOW, WOW, WOW…
Nice. Beats the shit out of Honda CRV any time.
Now, waiting for diesel model to arrive here. If priced below RM 110k, it will sell.
good looking and look big.
but Korean car…emmm
GO KIA!!
Paul,
Smaller engines with Start/Stop will join later this year – a 1.7-litre CRDi (113 bhp/255 Nm) and a 1.6-litre version of the Theta II with 138 bhp and 166 Nm.
I doubt that 1.6 able to push this SUV as.we have tested the 1.6 forte and feel it is under power.
By the way, is 1.6 Gamma or Theta?
Why did they not give the new sorento this set of tail lamps? with that it would be perfect too. Gorgeous looking car, better than CRV
the new sportage is……awesome!!!
Wow, this car look really good!!! Thanks to Peter Schreyer for it marvelous design. Good work KIA.
2 thumbs up for the nice design, really looks great!!!
awesome!!!
First!
OMG is damn nice.!!
Nice looking….
nice…cool design!
Wow! When it will come here?
Nice! Price?
wow! i want this car!
Awesome nice design… bet it will outsell Honda and Toyota
Wow, very bold design. Suitable for the younger gen. But I like the ix35′s refined design more…
Wow, this look Good!
nice
nice
the ‘wow’ factor is certainly there.
imagine from a ‘fugly’ beginning, now it’s a gem.
will be seeing a lot of these in American driveways.
Most interesting is the 1.6l engine with 138Hp and 166Nm torque. Wow! As far as I now, this is the world best so far.
Only if there’s car maker out there who dares saying their engine is designed to last 10 to 15 yrs as what Modenas claim to their latest 110cc engine which is design to endure15yrs of service…
wow nice…..
seriously… instead of all these fancy little features… could KIA put a better engine and better transmission into their good-looking cars?
superb design
Unfortunately weak engine. Having the name like ‘Sport’age with much better agressive looks should at least BE and feel sporty.
cool
good looking…nice design …I would prefer more aggresive interior..overall really impressive.
CRV will have tough competition ahead….
very attractive car, especially the bronze one!!
congrats again Kia. Somehow its design never fails to surprise, lately….
WAh~! Can kill laa the look! If sell cheaper than CRV or X-trail sure sell like hot cake~!
Will it have enough power? 2.0L engine is enough? I feel 2.4l engine is more adequate….
wow…….beutiful maa !!!
wowo…beutiful maaa !!!
1st! look good
duplicate sana sini..
a really good lookin car. seriously , but the ex-vw man still bring the backlight to his new company.
Yea, I love it, wonder when it will comes to M’sia…
Kimchi’s car really improve a lot in these days.
The steering now looks better than the one in Forte’s. KIA’s design is getting more aggressive and beautiful. Well done!
Wonder how much it will cost when it launch…
Naza, please bring in the diesel model, and let’s hope that our ’3rd-world’ diesel quality can somehow be used. And under RM100k please!
Too big. Kia shd keep the size of existing Sportage so that the buyers have a choice if we want a smaller SUV. If we want big, we can buy Sorento. I’m looking forward to test drive the 1.6 engine.. if it ever come here..
This is one hot KIA! Now who need that pricey CX7 anymore!…. (Watch out, Mazda-Toyota-Honda. Those Koreans are going to kick all your fat bumpers soon..!).
Looks like hard plastic for the steering.. but the exterior design so Da BOMB!…
my next target 2nd car. Kia again
great car but sadly, it was distributed by Naza. vowed never to get any cars from them…….
I think its getting harder to find car designs that are actually…well, ugly nowadays.
another beauty from d koreans just like d tucson which i think in terms of
styling d koreans r getting ahead of d japanese lately. Both d T & H styling
r boring recently & wait till u see d all new sonata & optima.
This baby is way more handsome than it’s cousin, the new Hyundai Tucson!
When is Naza launching it’s big brother, Sorento? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………..
Guys,
Look at the torque figure. That should be adequate to haul the car on full load. Don’t read the hp numbers.
I saw many Kia Sportage, Kia Soul and Kia K7 in korea last time..I love kia Soul the most….
Paul,
Any new on new oil prices?
Those not in the small pseudo SUV market is losing sale lah. Better quick design one oredi and don’t forget the current trend design. *sharp & aggresive* Same price as the rare Nautica please.
very nice and cool,the rear does look like the vw tiguan though
Agree.
For the past decade, they (kia) was behind us(p1), in terms of build quality, design, spec list, safety and many more. But now look at them, hats off to KIA, and P1 still lost in transitions.Products like KIA is a result of exposure from multi level competition. The G should do the same, stop safeguarding P1&P2. Expose them to the challenges/competition from outside. In 3 years time well be in a level playing field.For sure.
kenny_lim said,
March 4, 2010 @ 11:59 am
great car but sadly, it was distributed by Naza. vowed never to get any cars from them…….
=============================================
why la?
vbkcheng: the 1.6 liter engine is a new one from the Theta II family, not the Gamma.
Proton better sold off to Hyundai Kia lah. Stop wasting good metals.
Nice look, nice design and nice everything. Going by the price of Forte, I am quite sure it would be priced aroung 130K or less. Korean cars are fast catching up and if Proton still professes Dr. M’s ‘look east policy’ why not “senget” a bit i.e. from Japan to Korea. Before Proton can do that, all its vendors and employees must undergo some mentality brain wash course.
Proton, please kidnap Peter Schreyer from KIA!
Guys,
I just spoke with the KIA salesman and said pricing will be circa 120k. That’s impressive for nice design suv. Kia brand is improving a lot. The only dissapointment is their Service Centre. and note the short overhangs. I drive sorento and short overhangs contributed to the bouncy ride (and also ladder frame. Unless they pair it with good suspension system this should be fun to drive!
120k must be the 2.0 engine. how about the 1.6?hmmmm
but the short rear hang(or maybe front) contribute to more degrees of climbing or descending slopes. msian must give kia/hyundai a chance..stop thinking that jap brand is evrything!
Here in Malaysia, we try to implement in our head that our people can design a beautiful & function car. THAT IS OUR MISTAKE.
What we need to do learn from japanese and now korean, they employ this white guy that have creativity as the head of their depart, of course they need to spend a lot of money to pay his salary but you get the best. Then the korean learn while working under him and after his finish his service, there will be a group of korean people that really know the trick & trade in that department.
With us everything is BOLEH without knowing to do it properly. It seem that it is not practical by sending the proton employee to work together with other manufacture. For sure they will not reveal all the secret who to built a better car.
The proton need to change the tactic.
fcking beautiful! Honda CRV, Nissan Xtrail, Toyota Rav4 must be shitting in their pants right about now!
the ugly honda crv killer!…nice job kia!
its ugly, the interior is boring and to much plastic used, engine is so weak and why is everyone comparing this car to cars that came out ages ago like the CRV or xtrail UNFAIR COMPARISON
wow…. wonder how it will drive like… looks really nice…… the rear has the Q-series look…like a q5……..koreans, i salute u
id really like to see them bring in the Kia Soul to malaysia
akupunya said,
March 4, 2010 @ 9:02 am
good looking and look big.
but Korean car…emmm
=================================
What’s wrong with Korean car now? korean brand is rising star now.. it’s a fact, and its just nature of business. who play the better game who wins, if u got heart got right strategy, sure u gonna make progress, if no heart no strategy (eg.g Proton) sure stay there
.. one couldn’t always win all the way rite? Seeing now Toyota is having big problems with theirs 8 millions car recall issue, due to over chasing on to be the title world’s No.1
We could expect in very near future, many of our 90′ or 00′ born youngster first car could be the Korean brand, (not the usual Vios,City or Civic now) or second car perhaps (due the the govt policy, the cheapest still the local made, oh come on..not Myvi again….)
nice….but honda crv lookalike
the reason people compare this to honda crv because honda crv losing its wow and desire factor,its not as desirable as they used to,while the kia cars getting better and desirable
quite a messy design to me.. i prefer a more minimalism approach rather than trying it too hard..less is more…take a look at Audi or VW for instance..
Beautiful car. Hands down the better designed car compared to the T&H offering.
business is business, no matter how said,
March 4, 2010 @ 10:47 pm
akupunya said,
March 4, 2010 @ 9:02 am
I agree with you. It will take a few more years, but if the Korean follow this trajectory, their perceived brand image will be on the same level as the japs. NAZA and Sime should really step up the plate and give customers better after sales service. You are in the car business for the long run, invest a little and build loyal following. Follow the UMWT formula.
nice work, every new car of kia gives me a “wow”~
Toyota and Honda took about 15 years to become a mainstream brand. Even in the early 80s Japanese products were looked down upon. Kia products have reached global levels of quality only around 2006/7 so give them a break. They are very fast paced that’s for sure so it’s only a matter of time before their SSI and CSI scores rise once they put their minds to it.
KIA and Hyundai is slowly improve in automotive sector. They will succeed once after sales is improved. E.g…Hyundai Genesis engine is rated better than Lexus LS in JD survey. GO Korea.
very clean looking.
generally fine looking, not love it/hate it design, audi-ish design.
if marketing ir proper, this model will hit homerun.
When I relfect back at the First Gen Kia Sportage during my school days…
And looking at this, they have really come a long way…great car..
Thumbs up to Kia!
“People who really want to be successful will be successful no matter what” (hidden msg inside)
wahh..briliant Naza to partnership with Kia
will buy one if i have the budget… !!! Oh Naza… please have mercy on the pricetag!!!
Nice look…even better than CRV & Roush~~good!
really good fight with crv facelift in near future..