Kia Sportage

The modern balance of efficiency, technology and versatility

With this fifth generation, Kia had already deeply transformed its flagship SUV, giving it a bold design, a move upmarket and a rich technology offering. The facelift does not overturn that balance but rather refines it. In this configuration, the Sportage GT Line is powered by the 1.6 T-GDi non-plug-in full hybrid powertrain developing 239 hp.

Kia’s design language evolving

The Kia Sportage’s aesthetic evolution in this facelifted version reflects an approach of stylistic maturity. Where the current generation had made an impression through its boldness and sharp lines, this update softens certain elements while reinforcing the vehicle’s overall coherence in line with the brand’s recent visual identity. The front end is the most striking element of this evolution. The light signature, now named Star Map, adopts a slimmer design. This evolution clearly brings the Sportage closer to Kia’s electric models, reflecting a desire for stylistic standardisation. The grille has also been redesigned, with a more graphic treatment and a more natural integration into the bumper. The whole gains in visual width and road presence. The GT Line trim reinforces this perception with distinctive elements that add a dynamic touch without lapsing into excess. The black inserts, the specific alloy wheels and the finishing details help assert the vehicle’s character while retaining a degree of elegance. The Sportage thus manages to combine sportiness and restraint, a balance often difficult to achieve in this segment. The profile remains faithful to that of phase 1, with well-judged proportions and a silhouette that avoids the bulky look typical of some SUVs. The slightly tapering roofline adds a touch of dynamism, while the generous glazed areas contribute to the impression of space. At the rear, the changes are more discreet but contribute to the overall harmonisation. The lights adopt a cleaner design and the bumper gains in sobriety. As a whole, this facelift does not seek to impress through a stylistic break, but rather to refine its design. The result is convincing, with a Sportage that gains in credibility and modernity while retaining its identity.

A premium and functional ambience

The Kia Sportage’s interior is one of the highlights of this evolution. Kia continues its move upmarket here with an approach that prioritises technology, ergonomics and perceived quality alike. As soon as you settle on board, your attention is immediately caught by the new curved digital dual-screen display that structures the entire dashboard. This surface brings together both the instrument cluster and the infotainment system, compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in a successful visual continuity. The effect is both modern and immersive while remaining perfectly legible. The user interface has been redesigned to offer a more intuitive experience. The menus are clear, the navigation fluid and the information easily accessible. Kia makes the sensible choice not to switch to all-touch operation, retaining semi-physical controls for essential functions such as climate control and infotainment. This hybrid approach maintains excellent day-to-day ergonomics, particularly while driving. The GT Line trim adds a further dimension with a more upmarket presentation. The materials used reflect a qualitative effort, with surfaces that are pleasant to the touch and careful assembly. The two-tone vegan leather and Alcantara upholstery helps create an ambience that is both modern and warm. The electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated seats offer an excellent level of comfort. They are perfectly suited to long journeys, with effective support that is never constricting. Interior space is another of the Sportage’s strong points. Rear passengers enjoy generous room, both for legs and headroom. This carrying capacity makes it a vehicle particularly suited to family use. The boot, with a volume of 587 litres, also proves very convincing. This versatility is reinforced by the panoramic roof fitted in this configuration, which brings additional brightness and enhances the sense of space. The blind-spot camera displays its image directly in the instrument cluster when the indicator is activated; this feature significantly improves safety.

An optimised powertrain

The drivetrain relies on the combination of a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine producing 180 hp and a 60 hp electric motor, for a combined output of 239 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The electric motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1.49 kWh, positioned under the rear seats to preserve interior space. Unlike plug-in hybrids, this configuration requires no external charging. The system operates autonomously, recovering energy during braking and deceleration phases. This approach offers a major advantage in terms of ease of use. This technical choice provides more natural driving refinement, with sensations closer to those of a conventional combustion-engined vehicle. The operation of the hybrid system is particularly well mastered. In urban driving, the electric motor is heavily used, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Under acceleration, the two motors work together to deliver solid performance. On main roads and motorways, the combustion engine takes over, with occasional support from the electric motor. This intelligent energy management makes it possible to achieve controlled fuel consumption. On the WLTP cycle, the Sportage records consumption of 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres, for emissions of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In real-world conditions, it is possible to stay within a range of 5.9 to 6.5 litres, which is a very respectable performance for an SUV of this size.

Hybrid refinement in real-world conditions

On the road, the Kia Sportage confirms its orientation towards comfort and versatility. The suspension absorbs irregularities effectively, offering a good level of filtering without compromising stability. The steering proves precise and sufficiently consistent, making the vehicle easy to get to grips with. Road behaviour is sound and predictable, with good overall balance.

The hybrid powertrain contributes to driving refinement. Pull-aways take place in silence thanks to the intervention of the electric motor. The transitions between the two power sources are smooth and almost imperceptible except under hard acceleration; the engine revs up and the gearbox takes a little time to change gear. Performance is there, with effective in-gear acceleration and enough power for all uses. The Sportage feels at ease both in town and on the motorway. The regenerative braking, adjustable via the steering-wheel paddles, allows the level of energy recovery to be tailored to the driver’s preferences. This feature adds a further dimension to driving by optimising energy management. It is also possible to switch to Sport mode; in that case, the paddles serve directly to change gears on the six-speed gearbox. The driver assistance systems are numerous and well integrated. The adaptive cruise control, the lane-keeping assist and the other systems help the driver feel more relaxed on long journeys, and they remain directly deactivable from the steering wheel.

A coherent proposition on the market

With this facelift, the Kia Sportage confirms its presence in the compact SUV segment. It offers a particularly convincing synthesis of design, technology, comfort and energy efficiency. It is a modern, versatile vehicle, perfectly suited to the expectations of today’s motorists. It is available in several powertrains: petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The HEV GT Line version starts from €45,340.

Pros

• Controlled fuel consumption
• Comfort
• Not fully touch-based

Cons

• No automatic (one-touch) window at the rear
• Gearbox a little slow in “sporty” driving