2010 Kia Sportage world premiere at Geneva

By George Skentzos | February 03rd, 2010

Kia has unveiled its all-new Sportage SUV, the sister car to Hyundai’s newly released ix35, which boasts a dramatic shift in design and styling.

Adopting Kia’s next generation visual style, the new Sportage embodies the modern SUV with a commanding driving position, raised ground clearance and athletic design.

The new Kia Sportage is longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, offering more space for people and cargo, with improved ride quality thanks to a longer wheelbase.

Michael Cole, Managing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., said: “Sportage was the car that really made the breakthrough for Kia in Europe and the all-new version will make people sit up and take notice just as the original did. I am convinced it will begin a remarkable new chapter in the Kia story.”

The world premiere of the all-new Kia Sportage will take place at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.

Robin Graves

Personally I think Hyundai and Kia are too similar, and cannibalising each other. They should orient themselves slightly different to give people a choice rather than just a different badge with a Schreyer grille.

Dodge

I think they going to different ways.
To me, Kia have more Europe taste.
Hyundai is…. they are going to SF movie.

Steve-Poyza

Beautiful. For a SUV anyway. A rare thing to be said about a Kia. Their range is going to be looking mighty impressive once they’ve replaced the Rio, Rondo and the Carnivals. The Rondo looks just fine (a little dull, but not ugly) but the new design language actually looks stylish and brilliant. Its odd how the two major Korean brands Hyundai and Kia are producing good looking cars but certain Japanese companies such as Toyota and Subaru keep making uglier cars.
Callous Aussie

Hardly Robin. They are capitalising on a market that is growing and they don’t look alike. Great looking vehicle yet again from KIA. Sit it next to the ix35 and they are very different.

Another step in the right direction for KIA. Well done. I’d like their chief designer’s bonus cheque. Smart move employing that man. The image they have as a poor man’s choice is no longer deserved.

Hung Low

“The image they have as a poor man’s choice is no longer deserved.”

Going by the price of the Sorrento, they are charging accordingly as well!

I think this is a much better result in design using cues from the Sorrento, the smaller size suits the design theme better.

When is this coming to Aus? I cannot imagine it being much cheaper than an X trail or Rav4 either!

o

that is a stunning car. I cant wait till it gets to oz
maximark

Her sister looks better than the Santafe, but she doesn’t look that hot compare to the IX35.
crouchy

In the two minutes i was looking at the pictures, this car grew on me ten-fold.

Only thing i cant get a grip on? Those Bob Jane T-mart specials…
Nankano

I have noticed that the Korean’s have lost/losing their price advantage, before a i30 was around $2500 less than the Jappers, now its creeped up to just $1000 less [MY10 model]

They are DREAMING if they think they can charge what the Japs charge, they ONLY sell because they are cheaper than the others.

Yes the i30 is a good car, really good if your stupid enough to want a DIEsel, but really be honest its a generation behind Mitsubishi, Mazda, haonda, Toyota etc

Time will tell if i am correct….

John of Perth

I am afraid you are – there is no generational gap now and till you test drive these vehicles and conceivably leave your prejudices dormant for a little while, you might be surprised.

By the way I own SUV vehicles from both countries and dare I say it there is absolutely no difference.
fd

their products are superior than jap.
engines and chassis technolgies are world class.(eg. their R-engine)
They just not all goes by price advantage

Hung Low

Idiotic statement to claim superior over the Japanese when the “new engine and chassis technologies” have not even been established for 12 months to be proven reliable or robust in the real world! Not to say they won’t be, but it is still a bit early to claim victory!

Shinzitsu

Hung low, they actually have already. Where? in the South Korean market.

The R diesel engine has been available in the Santafe and Sorrento R for much more than a year in that country. It has not only been proven reliale but extremely fuel-efficient as well.

Some motorists put up pictures of their trip computer reading showing 4L/100km on highway.

Steve

The r-engine running more than 12 months in South Africa as well and doing well…why was Australia left behind?

RdS

definetley an attractive smaller 4wd/suv.
but holy c-d pillar blindspot batman! :p

Hung Low

One just needs to go and sit in a older car to appreciate the fact that as new models are getting safer via electronic aids, the basics like proper all round vision is compromised for the sake of exterior design!

Andronicus

looks like it needs to go on a diet.
HyundaiSmoke

If this is going to go for the upper 16sK in the US to start it should be in the upper 17s for you guys to start, and depending on taxes etc… it could be more or less, plus minus a grand.

This will be significantly cheaper than Tucson by the way.

Steve

The price in Australia will be very similar to the new IX35 price range…..

Shak

Very good looking car from the ever conquering Koreans. One quarrel would be the high bum stance. Im not against that but some may be.
http://kia.butlerauto.com kia sportage Indianapolis

This car is a good one for the luggage. It will be great to take it when you go out on weekends to explore new lands. You can stuff anything you want to in the SUV.
Steve

Kia and Hyundai are 2 new motor manufacturing brands who are going to shake up the world! Within the next 10 years electric cars will infiltrate the market and only motor manufacturers adopting and changing fast enough will survive the new era of motoring. Car owners want the same name but improvement in newer models, gone are the days of changing names and confusing buyers with new brands. Looks will always attract new buyers and comparing models for value of money will play an important role in making that final decision.
AusMoz

Kia has come a long way, but at what cost?
It used to be affordable (being second to hyundai) but now has come into a league of its own at extra cost to potential buyers..it’s undoubtedly going to be priced in par with the ix35 and similar price tag too.. going by how Cerato and Sonento have hiked pricing.. I for one will be waiting to see what the Chinese will be putting out to suit my budget
http://caradvice hey kia

Why is it that hyundai is changing all its names to numbers and stuff??? Only ones left are Santa fe,,Grandeur and Elantra bye bye too Getz lol hello i20
Jonas

Uh Robyn, Hyundai and Kia are owned by the same company; a Korean company called HATCI. Both these brands make the same categories of cars so when its the same designers creating cars for both brands; of course they are going to be similar.

grail

Uhh wrong. HKAG (Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group) share the same platforms (engine, transmission, etc.) but they have different designers.

Small Sportage

I want more small Sportage.
I want more small SUV. anybody know what is the small SUV. I want a VW Golf sized SUV. I want cute and small, tall car. anbody know?

Small Sportage

Cool Design. But wheel base is too long to me.

SEAN JAMES

i\’m a little confused here.somebody help me out.is this the 2011 SPORTAGE or the 2010 SPORTAGE?some sites show me the old model design as the 2010 sportage and this as 2011.its getting me confused.