Kia Sportage facelift launched – Nu 2.0L, RM138,888

SONY DSC

After a teaser and JPJ Putrajaya sightings, Naza Kia has officially launched the facelifted Kia Sportage at the nationwide Kia World Cup Bonanza Customer Day, which runs from today till March 16. The fresh Sportage is said to have 25 enhancements, including some under the skin.

Outside, you’ll find redesigned grilles, new front and rear bumpers, new and “structurally-enhanced” 18-inch alloys and a shark-fin antenna. The projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, fog lamps and LED rear combination lamps have revised looks, too. It’s a mild facelift – the pre-FL front looks like this.

Inside, the leather-wrapped steering wheel now controls a Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS, Hyundai-Kia’s EPS) with Flex Steer, which provides three steering weights for the driver to choose from – Comfort, Normal and Sport.

sportage-fl-specs

Click to enlarge spec sheet

Other cabin highlights include push-start ignition (with redesigned smart key), panoramic roof, dual-zone air-con with ionised filtration, illuminated and cooled glove box, two-step adjustable rear seats, eight-way electric seat for the driver, Infinity sound system with seven speakers (two tweeters, four door speakers, one sub-woofer), head unit with 4.3-inch touch screen and reverse camera, and an upgraded Supervision cluster with a 4.2-inch TFT LCD screen.

Naza Kia says that the new Sportage rolls with reduced noise thanks to improvements on the mounts and windscreen. Revisions to the drive shaft and mounting system (now with laterally assembled bracket) contribute to a smoother ride and better NVH.

Kia Sportage facelift launched – Nu 2.0L, RM138,888

Under the hood, the Sportage is now powered by the Group’s current “Nu” 2.0 litre MPI engine with Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT), 154 PS and 191 Nm of torque. A six-speed auto does transmission duties. The old motor was the previous-gen Theta II 2.0L with 166 PS and 197 Nm.

The five-star Euro NCAP rated SUV (six airbags, ABS, EBD, hill-start assist, traction control) is priced at RM138,888 on-the-road with insurance, unchanged from the June 2011 launch price despite the added kit. It is available in five colours – Clear White, Mineral Silver, Bright Silver, Sand Track and Signal Red – and comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

UPDATE: Live pictures from Kia’s Red Cube showroom in Petaling Jaya have been added.

2011-2013 Kia Sportage Pre-Facelift

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • abuya123 on Mar 13, 2014 at 11:49 am

    Wow…. More better than CRV and Rush.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 93 Thumb down 26
    • Wilson on Mar 13, 2014 at 11:59 am

      Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

      Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 161
      • Not-So-Wilson on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:18 pm

        Says the honda whore..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 12
      • kzm (Member) on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:34 pm

        practicality for wat?

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 75 Thumb down 10
        • Not-So-Wilson on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:45 pm

          practicality for being a brand slut

          Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 57 Thumb down 6
        • maximising interior space has always been a strong point of CR-V. The interior space is huge compared to its competitors.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 7
        • practicality for a whore

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 7
      • DrCooper on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:03 pm

        Can elaborate on practicality..there’s nothing in CRV features that Sportage lack. And please don’t tell me about Japs made engine reliability crap that’s already things of the past…btw Sportage engine is Jap/Murica/Korean breed

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 4
      • Diss-illusion on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:08 pm

        How is it a different segment? This IS CR-V’s rival.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 2
        • Wilson on Mar 13, 2014 at 4:30 pm

          oops, sorry. i thought this is CUV segment and CRV is SUV segment. my apologies to all. i made a mistake.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 4
      • Vader on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:45 pm

        Both CRV and Sportage are from same segment car.
        What kind of “segment” you are define here?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 4
        • CRVLover on Mar 13, 2014 at 3:55 pm

          I think he meant CRV is the same segment as Suzuki SX-4

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
        • Maseratti on Mar 14, 2014 at 4:50 pm

          This car got no RV, you make Sam Loo rich for what, safe your hard earn money

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 12
    • The rock on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      THe crv got free boot tray as advertised! KAkakakakakakaka………….. less than RM100 carpet also need to highlight.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 5
      • What do you expect when even reverse sensors are not standard-fit on the 150k CRV?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  • KIA forte on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    Can elaborate more on comparison of fuel consumption and engine performance from both version Sportage?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 5
  • new engine on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    How come the new NU engine has lower power and torque than the older Theta II engine?

    If overall weight remains same, won’t that translate to weaker acceleration and higher overall fuel consumption?

    Or am missing something?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 8
    • GTR36 on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:29 pm

      The NU engine has DCVVT with MPi engine which makes it more fuel efficient as compared to the former Theta engine. Previously the car was very thirsty and needed fuel to top up if used extensively in the Klang Valley.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
      • intermilan on Nov 04, 2014 at 5:20 pm

        Another late late reply on this topic..

        Theta II also has DCVVT with MPI.

        And for both Nu and Theta II engines, the DCVVT is only on the intake side.

        PT might made a mistake by saying Theta II had the DCVVT on both intake and exhaust sides.

        And no mention of official fuel consumption (FC) figure were reported by any PT coverage / write up (3 articles) of both Sportage.

        Bet NazaKia didn’t list / reveal the FC figure anywhere.

        Most probably <10km/L in urban or even mix-urban driving cycle.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Obviously (Member) on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:30 pm

      The power and torque values only tell half the story. One has to look at the torque and power curves of the engine over the rev range in order to really tell how the engine will perform in the day to day. If the torque and power is available slightly lower in the rev range then it is a positive improvement over the old engine.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • intermilan on Nov 04, 2014 at 5:03 pm

      This reply is way way too late but.. found something rather weird.

      The claimed power output of 2012 Sportage with Theta II engine is 166PS/197Nm which is not far from info sourced from wiki i.e. 167PS/198Nm.

      But the claimed power output of 2014 Sportage FL with Nu engine of just 154PS/191Nm which is quite a way off from info sourced from Wiki i.e. 166PS/201Nm

      Did the facelift Sportage being supplied with de-tuned Nu engine or what?

      Its rare for any manufacturers to understate engine power output by this margin ~7.3%

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Petrolhead (Member) on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Crazy spec list with that price! Put that spec list and price into the Subaru XV then it would be the perfect SUV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 46 Thumb down 3
  • Datuk on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 129
  • I'M 22BUT I LIKETHENEWCAMRY on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Whoa Kia Car Model Prices are actually not that bad or is it because of the OTHER OVERLY PRICED cars that makes kia look affordable for us ! LOL.

    Anywayz, worth checking it out.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 37 Thumb down 4
  • Denaihati on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    so many interesting accessory feature, with 7 speakers and built in subwoofer.
    Also better safety standard with OTR price less than RM140k.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 1
    • Obviously (Member) on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:31 pm

      Now if only Naza would buff up their aftersales….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • taiko on Mar 13, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    there are some people who are interested with the KIA model. jap recon car are much better in term of spec,conditoin,maintenance and the most highly precise is the RV after 5 yrs.it just my 1malaysia opinion.CHEERS

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 36
    • theanswer on Mar 13, 2014 at 3:27 pm

      jap recon much better in terms of spec? kereta apa ini? most wish and stream came in fabric seat only..no audio steering wheel control.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 2
  • DrCooper on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Same price!..that’s a rare surprise generosity coming from NAZA…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 4
    • theanswer on Mar 13, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      other than jap..most of them quite generous. just check pug spec. push aside rv.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Sam Loo on Mar 13, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Low RV. But best price, equipment, design.

    Think for yourself.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 20
    • dugong on Mar 13, 2014 at 2:34 pm

      toyota hailat the best. enuff said.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 14
    • agogo on Mar 13, 2014 at 3:32 pm

      from mudah..

      New 2014 CRV 2.0 – rm149k
      Used 2012 CRV 2.0 – rm103k-110k
      Depreciation = rm46k-rm39k

      New 2014 Sportage 2.0 – rm139k
      Used 2012 Sportage 2.0 – rm96-108k
      Depreciation = rm43k-rm31k

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 91 Thumb down 4
  • hazykl on Mar 13, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    Kudos to naza not to increase their price for this facelift.

    if only the next sportage model are fitted with handless boot opening (similiar to ford kuga or vw toureg), tyre monitoring system (i know overseas model are spec with it), rear aircon, it will be perfect.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • Maserati on Mar 13, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 109
    • MClass-MeowMeow on Mar 13, 2014 at 3:26 pm

      M Class for pussies. Real Men buys G wagons.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 1
    • theanswer on Mar 13, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      not sure if trolling or really dumb..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
    • dewaSemut on Mar 13, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      If you can afford M class already, why bother paying 50k for “junk” Sportage?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 1
    • kzm (Member) on Mar 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm

      With RM50k u cannot buy even the base spec Sportage in S.Korea..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 2
    • samoron on Mar 19, 2014 at 11:42 pm

      From your comment, it is safe to say that your smarter side constitutes only 0.1% of you

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • sick&tired on Mar 13, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    its sad to see Kia coming out with great cars like the Sportage, Optima, etc and Proton can still only manage to come out with Suprima! In 1999, Kia were producing crap like the Sephia and Proton had the Wira, even though it’s essentially a Lancer, but its still better than the Sephia. How times have change.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 39 Thumb down 1
  • Samad Jain on Mar 13, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    LCD display so small. For the price tag of 138K, please give a bigger display, can Kia?? Dont be stingy please…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Glad there are showroom photos! The interior room feel class ahead

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Guest on Mar 13, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    where is the rear air vent? one of the key feature of facelift is the rear air vent.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • paucharsiew on Mar 14, 2014 at 4:10 am

    but this if u don wanna wait for the cx-5 in the waiting list

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Think to get this since my Mazda SA is refused to take my calls after 5 months waiting….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Hello on Jun 09, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Awesome features~ but it is way a little bit underpowered! Hw come naza dun bring in the CRDi engine?? 1.7L is good enuf dyyyyy arghhhh

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
 

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