New Kia Sportage unveiled

By Paul Maric | March 02nd, 2010

Kia has today unveiled the all-new Sportage at the Geneva International Motor Show.

The third generation Sportage continues Kia’s upward trend in the Australian market, delivering its new design DNA in droves.

Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer sculpted the Sportage, taking design cues from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car, giving it the chance to stand out from the rest of the crowd in the hotly contested segment.

Mr Schreyer told the media, ““The new Sportage is fresh and bold and could not be mistaken for anything other than a Kia.”

Since its introduction in 1997, total Sportage sales have topped 20,000 units, an impressive feat for the Korean manufacturer.

While the 2.4L petrol AWD model is still under evaluation for the Australian market, the 2.0L petrol FWD and 2.0L diesel AWD will launch to the Australian market under the first offering. All Sportage models will feature a six-speed automatic transmission, much like the latest Sorento.

Mr MK Kim told the media, “The all-new Sportage’s new sleek design and unique offering of both power & economy, meets the changing needs of SUV owners and will appeal to a wide cross-section of Australians buyers,” said Mr Kim. “Combined with competitive pricing and Kia’s outstanding warranty policy, the Sportage has a lot to offer.”

In addition to sharp pricing, the entire Sportage range will be covered by Kia’s 5-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Expect the Sportage to launch locally around September this year. Pricing, in addition to specifications will follow soon after.

The Oracle’s Teacher

This may well be our next car.
Nick K

This looks far better than its Hyundai brother/sister. 2L 136Kw Diesel, 6 Speed auto, sharp looks, 5 year warranty, Kia/Hyundai’s good reliability ratings = where do I sign up. If I was Toyota I would be very worried. Toyota can’t offer a diesel, Toyota’s styling is not as sharp, poorer warranty and more expensive. Unless Toyota can offer diesel priced hybrids where the battery is packaged underneath the car and do so quickly, I think it’s game over Toyota.

The Oracle’s Teacher

Pricing will be the key. I agree too that toyota must be starting to feel the heat from these guys. Particulalry in light of their recent issues. Expect news to emerge also about a massive number of engine oil leaks in coming days. More bad news for toyota but great news for the koreans.

http://CarAdvice The Salesman

This is a very good looking car. That alone will bring the buyers into showrooms.

safety first

looks okay but that’ll be one hell of a blind spot around those HUUUGGE C pillars.. Oh hang on you can probably option a reverse camera….. Fail!

The Oracle’s Teacher

Yeah you can. It comes on in the rear view mirror when reverse is selected.

ToyotaFactorySabbotager

Koreans=New Germans=Superior than japanese, chinese,american, and french Econocars and rattletraps.

Hyundai, a Korean Merc. KIA, a Korean Audi. It could happen, it MIGHT Happen, but IT WILL HAPEN IN THE FUTURE, BECUASE WE ARE HKAG AND WE ARE KOREAN, AND WE ARE SUPERIOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RD

Why do you insist on being so annoying, all the time?

GoHyundai

he might be a hot hunk

Richard C

What the hell? “Since it’s introduction in 2007″ … firstly, the current Kia Sportage was introduced in Australia in 2005, not 2007, and it has not sold anywhere near 20,000. It only sells around 1,000 a year – and my records show that only slightly over 7,000 second generation Sportages have been sold since 2005. As I’m typing this I now realize the mistake could be that the author meant 1997, not 2007, and the 20,000 could refer to total Sportage sales including the first generation. Yes, that seems likely.

The Oracle’s Teacher

I’ll take a punt that this one will increase their sales. Some of the other manufacturers (namely Subaru) can learn from these guys regarding styling. It doesn’t matter how damned good the car is mechanically, if it looks like crap people won’t buy it.

GoHyundai

I agree! (subaru lol)
Hung Low

Taadaaa -SKODA

The Real Car Fanatic

You are such a retard Hung!

Hung Low

‘Retard’ is not politically correct(ask Simon) you mentally challenged git!
GoHyundai

he’s hung low

Phil

I see some Audi Q7 in that exterior. Not a bad thing I guess.

Wasn’t the designer ex-Audi himself?

o

for the last time yes. Peter schreyer designed this and he used to work at audi he is responsible for the TT aswell. Time car advice did an article on the guy me thinks

D

If they rebadged the new Kia’s as Hyundai’s (who has a better reputation), they would be a serious threat to Toyota.

A.F.

Hyundai with a better reputation than Kia? I think not. I hate them both.

Jinsei

AF,

because you are a badge snob that only judges a book by its cover only.

I thinks it will take a hell long time before somebody like you can start judging a car on its own merit. What a shame.

It s obviously not good to be an insane fanatic of a particular brand but equally bad is to be completely prejudiced against it.

Simonsez

I’ll be very interested to see how their launch prices compare to Hyundai with the Ix35.
My local (very expensive) dealer still seems to have exactly as many Ix35′s in stock as he did on launch day , but I could be imagining things.
Let’s hope for realistic pricing and some different engine/transmission options from Kia.

GoHyundai

i saw a white ix35 on the road
so hot!

david

Niiiiiiiiiice…now for interior shots!
HyundaiSmoke

The KIA will be cheaper. I hear this is going to be a $16K Vehicle in the US, the Tucson is $18 almost $19K to start. Just remember this one thing= All KIAs will be cheaper than Hyundais for now on. Like significantly cheaper.

Also Larger KIAs will be the same price as smaller Hyundais.

For Example:

1. C-Segment KIA Forte/Cerrato Sedan is about the same price as the smaller B-Segment Hyundai Accent Sedan in the US.

2. KIA Sorrento is the same price as the Smaller Hyundai Tuscon.

3. Elantra GLS is close to the same price as Optima/Magentis too.
vid_ghost

^_^ i likey allot.. it will all come down to price. Where are the “real” shots of this car? .. CG looks blah!

HyundaiSmoke

There are some interior shots out there, but its not going to be up to level of the Tucson, hence the reason why the Sportage will be much cheaper.

Hung Low

If they can sell the diesel for $30k, it will be a winner!
The IX35 2wd base model is currently almost the same as an Xtrail or Rav 4 drive away, both with as much standard equip, bigger engines and AWD!
Base Tuscon spec IX35 = Rip off!…………..KIA must address this with the new base Sportage.
Matt

My god it’s HUUUUUGEEEEE. Why so big?

There’s definitely some Volvo XC60 in the front end.
HyundaiSmoke

Sportage promo with FULL Interior Shots.

youtube then

/watch?v=lAM_py1SSd0&feature=player_embedded#
Benron

why not 7 year warranty like Europe?