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2016 Kia Sportage pricing and specifications

The new 2016 Kia Sportage has been launched today with a more refined package across the board, but, most specifically, an increase in cabin refinement and passenger comfort. This is also the safest Sportage yet, thanks to a stronger body structure and new active safety technology.


The 2016 Sportage gets a smoother, more refined ride thanks to the local suspension tune and new technology highlights include autonomous emergency braking and wireless phone charging.

Kicking off from $28,990 plus on-road costs, the new Sportage range will be offered with three trim levels: entry-level Si, mid-range SLi and the top-shelf Platinum.

There’s a choice of three different engines, including a a 2.0-litre MPI petrol engine (generating 114kW at 6200rpm and 192Nm at 4000rpm) for the Si and SLi grades, a 2.4-litre GDI petrol engine (135kW at 6000rpm, 237Nm at 4000rpm) for Platinum only, and a 2.0-litre diesel engine (136kW at 4000rpm, 400Nm at 1750-2750rpm) across all grades.

Official fuel consumption figures across the three engines are: 7.9L/100km for the 2.0-litre petrol FWD, 8.5L/100km for the 2.4-litre petrol AWD, and 6.8L/100km for the 2.0-litre diesel AWD.

All Sportage model grades will feature a six-speed automatic gearbox: in FWD form for the 2.0-litre petrol Si and SLi models, along with with Kia’s on-demand AWD system in all diesel models (Si, SLi and Platinum) and the 2.4-litre GDI petrol in the Platinum,

Pricing starts at $28,990 for the 2.0-litre petrol Si and tops out at $45,990 for the Platinum diesel.

“The new Sportage is an integral part of our sales initiatives and aspirations for 2016 and yet another opportunity for Kia to build on the brand strength and customer experience already leading the way with the benchmark 7-year warranty, 7-year capped price servicing and 7-year roadside assist,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith said.

The fourth-generation Sportage has a sharper, sporty exterior design with features like high-set headlights, a lower, wider grille and sharply detailed bonnet.

At 1855mm, the new Sportage is the same width as the outgoing model. The Sportage’s wheelbase is now 30mm longer, though (up to 2670mm), and overall length is up 40mm (to 4480mm). The highest point of the roofline - 1635mm - means the Sportage is the same height as the outgoing model. Front overhang is 20mm longer, while the rear is reduced by 10mm.

The Sportage is available with a choice of 17, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheel designs, and all models are equipped with a full-size spare in Australia.

The new-generation Sportage is most significantly improved over the old model in the cabin, where changes have resulted in greater refinement, better quality and more general insulation and comfort for driver and passengers.

Designers have split the dash area into two distinct zones that Kia calls ‘display’ and ‘control’. In theory, it should make the controls easier to understand and interact with.

Thanks partly to the increase in wheelbase, the new Sportage is roomier inside the cabin. Headroom is increased by 5mm for front passengers and 16mm for rear seat passengers, while legroom has expanded by 19mm and 7mm front and rear respectively.

The rear seating position has been improved, too, thanks to a 40mm lower floor and 30mm higher rear bench hip point delivering a more natural and comfortable seating posture with improved under-thigh support. Rear seats also recline from 23 through to 37 degrees.

Kia engineers have worked to improve visibility both forward and rearward. The A-pillar base has been lowered while the pillar itself is also thinner, along with lower external rear view mirrors increasing forward visibility. The C-pillars are also 62mm thinner than the old model and there’s a 30mm taller rear glass section. The optional panoramic sunroof is also 104mm longer than the one fitted to the previous model.

Cargo space is up by one litre to 466 litres and, despite the new Sportage being no wider externally, loading and unloading is improved thanks to a 35mm wider opening at the rear. The lift-over height has been dropped by a significant 47mm, making loading and unloading heavier items a lot easier.

Fuel capacity is up for the new Sportage, from 58 to 62 litres, eking out a slightly longer cruising range for country driving.

Local ANCAP crash safety testing for the Sportage is still to be carried out, but the Sportage has scored the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in Europe.

Kia credits the result to a stronger body shell, passive safety equipment and active safety as well as autonomous hazard avoidance technology. Torsional rigidity, for example, is up 39 per cent from the old model. Six airbags are standard and two ISOFIX child-seat tethers are fitted as standard to the second row.

Features and equipment

The Sportage Si is equipped with a 3.5-inch mono TFT LCD display at the centre of the dashboard, while SLi and Platinum buyers will get a 4.2-inch colour TFT cluster. All models get 7-inch touchscreen infotainment, with reverse camera and dynamic parking lines, while satellite navigation is standard for SLi and Platinum.

All infotainment systems feature Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and auxiliary/USB inputs for smartphones and MP3 music players. The infotainment system includes a 160-watt six-speaker audio system. A first for any car in the C-SUV segment, the Sportage Platinum includes a wireless charger for mobile devices.

Si Equipment Highlights: 

  • ABS with EBD and BA, ESC, DBC, HAC
  • reverse parking sensors, parking sensor dash display
  • rear view camera with dynamic parking guidelines
  • day and night rear view mirror
  • projector front fog lights
  • speed sensing auto door lock
  • three child seat anchor points (two ISOFIX)
  • three point ELR seatbelts on all positions
  • child proof rear door locks
  • folding key
  • headlight escort function
  • cloth seat trim
  • six-way driver’s seat adjustment
  • chrome ‘Schreyer’ grille surround
  • black mesh grille
  • body coloured door handles
  • chrome window surrounds
  • roof rails
  • rear spoiler
  • solar glass
  • premiums steering wheel and shift knob
  • driver’s window auto up and down with safety function
  • soft touch dash
  • mono-type TFT LCD instrument cluster
  • three 12V power outlets
  • Aux/USB input with iPhone compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity
  • manual AC, second row AC vents.

SLi adds: 

  • Front parking sensors
  • electrochromatic rear view mirror with auto dimming
  • LED daytime lights
  • leather trim with contrast stitching
  • ten-way driver’s power adjustable seat with two-way lumbar support
  • gloss black grille mesh
  • chrome accented door handles
  • LED rear combination lights
  • privacy glass for rear windows and tailgate
  • rains sensing front wipers
  • colour TFT-LCD supervision instrument cluster
  • illuminated vanity mirrors
  • luggage net
  • satellite navigation multimedia system with traffic information
  • dual-zone climate control AC with clean air module

Platinum adds:

  • Blind sport monitoring and lane change assist
  • forward collision warning system
  • lane departure warning system
  • autonomous emergency braking
  • smart parking assist system
  • high beam assist
  • LED front fog lights
  • smart key with push button start
  • eight-way power front passenger seat
  • satin silver ‘Schreyer’ grille surround
  • sports package - GT Line (front and rear bumper, satin silver side sill)
  • satin silver highlights (window surround and door handles)
  • hands-free smart power tailgate
  • Bi-Xenon HID headlights with washer and auto-levelling
  • dual chrome tip muffler
  • panoramic sunroof
  • flat-bottom perforated leather sports steering wheel with paddle shifters
  • wireless phone charging
  • heated and ventilated front seats

2016 Kia Sportage pricing (plus on-road costs):

Si 2.0-litre petrol $28,990
Si 2.0-litre diesel $33,990

SLi 2.0-litre petrol $33,990
SLi 2.0-litre diesel $38,990

Platinum 2.4-litre petrol $43,490
Platinum 2.0-litre diesel $45,990

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Trent Nikolic

Trent Nikolic has been road testing and writing about cars for almost 20 years. He’s been at CarAdvice/Drive since 2014 and has been a motoring editor at the NRMA, Overlander 4WD Magazine, Hot4s and Auto Salon Magazine.

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