Naza Kia launched the facelifted Kia Sportage today at the Shah Alam stadium carpark, where the company is having the Naza Kia Family Festival over the weekend (10-11 April). Not to be confused with the new Sportage revealed at the recent Geneva Motor Show, today’s debutant is actually the mid-life facelift version of the second generation Sportage, which went on sale here back in 2005.
The reason we’re only getting it now is because Naza Kia needed to finish all the CKD packs of the original model, and while it may seem like a stop gap till the all-new Sportage arrives next year, it’s still an affordable way to own an SUV at RM112,000 OTR including insurance (no change from before). Naza Kia themselves aren’t expecting the sky; they project lower figures for 2010 than the almost 700 units sold last year.
There are some cosmetic changes, and most of it is concentrated at the front. As you can see from our side-by-side image above, the new model looks much more contemporary and comes with new headlights, grille, bumper and honeycomb mesh. At the back, the facelifted Sportage sports twin exhaust pipes, a new rear garnish and new rear lamp design.
New cabin features include fabric and leather combination seats, rear parcel shelf and illumination for the vanity mirrors. One useful addition is the flip-up rear glass, which can open independantly of the tailgate. Besides these, the Sportage has ABS, EBD, dual airbags and a factory MP3 stereo as standard. It is powered by a 2.0-litre engine with CVVT making 140 bhp and 184 Nm. This twin-cam unit is paired to a 4-speed automatic with Shiftronic.
You can head over to the Shah Alam stadium tomorrow to check out the Sportage and the rest of Naza Kia’s range. There are various activities, contests and performances going on and Kia owners get free 18-point checks for the vehicles. Naza Kia also has a range of pre-owned cars at “very, very attractive prices”, but I doubt that would include the well-received Forte, which has found over 2,000 buyers so far.
Live images of the Sportage after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=1041]
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments on the facelifted Kia Sportage mainly focus on aesthetics, with many expressing disappointment that it looks uglier and outdated, considering it a marketing ploy to clear old stock. Some commenters criticize the timing, feeling the facelift is unnecessary before the new generation's release, and highlight that the model's design is similar to previous versions. Others see it as a cost-cutting measure by the distributor and expect significant discounts on old stock. There are a few positive notes about the car’s affordability compared to competitors, but overall, sentiments are mostly negative, with many calling the facelift uninspired and urging waiting for the upcoming new model. Several comments also compare the car unfavorably to other brands and models, emphasizing a desire for newer, better designs.