2010 Kia Sportage SUV spied

By George Skentzos | July 10th, 2009

It seems as though the Korean car industry is in SUV overload, this time with the new generation Kia Sportage spied undergoing testing in a dusty part of the US.

This heavily disguised prototype is expected to replace the current Sportage sometime in 2010, refreshing the Hyundai-Kia line-up alongside the new Hyundai iX35 and Santa Fe facelift.

The car is expected to gain an efficient new six-speed automatic transmission to compliment the 135kW 2.0-litre turbo diesel R-engine.

A more powerful V6 petrol model is also being considered for some markets such as the US and possibly Australia.

For a more accurate glimpse of future powertrain options we need only look at the upcoming Hyundai Tucson replacement which should use identical running gear.

Shak

The koreans are really on a roll. First the i30, then the Cerato, then the Cruze. Oh wait thats meant to be an AWSTRAYLIAN.
realcars

Just sort the gearing out in your four potters and u will clean up Kia.
Roddy

My father drives the current V6 Sportage.
Absolutely trouble-free and reliable…anyone who thinks Korean cars are 2nd rate are in denial.
realcars

Did own a Grand Carnival with the 3.8 ltre donk for a while and an excellent ship for a people mover. Very solid and well put together.

Lower the gearing a tad on your four potters Hyundai/Kia and u will be unstoppable.Aussies don’t generally like having to drive like a racing driver during their daily commute.
Murano

Haven’t owned a korean car but I have taken several rides in a KIA Carnival, Hyundai Elantra and a KIA Sorento. Both Kia cars impressed me with good interior trim quality (except for the faux wood) the Carnival’s ride was disappointing. The Elantra seems to have quality problems-interior trim falling apart. But I keep hearing good things about Kia and Hyundai so the koreans are getting better every year. I must admit that the last time I bought a car, I just couldn’t get myself to get a korean car fearing the worst. Maybe I get a Cerato or i30 one day.
Mumble Duck

I wonder if it will be as ugly as the current one???????? Hope not.
Speed

We’re currently using a Cerato as a family car and love it. It’s our second Kia and we’ve had no problems with either (had a Rio before that). I’m lookng at a Sportage for a work car and would not hesitate for a second in buying another Kia.