Kia Australia has announced the all-new Sportage midsize SUV will go on sale in mid-November with a starting price of $34,690 driveaway.
The fifth-generation Sportage debuts radically different styling to the outgoing model and looks to bring noteable safety and practicality benefits for buyers.
The 2022 Kia Sportage feature radical new styling and a notable upgrade in safety over its predecessor
Competing in the hotly-contested midsize SUV market, the Sportage will compete against a slew of accomplished rivals including the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.
Available in a choice of four grades, the Sportage lineup kicks off with the entry-level S followed by the SX, SX+ and top-spec GT-Line.
What engine options are available?
Buyers can pick between a choice of three engines and various automatic and manual transmission options – though not all can be mixed and matched with all grades.
A 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine acts as the entry-point of the Sportage range that produces 115kW of power and 192Nm of torque which is sent to the front wheels exclusively.
Two petrol and one diesel engine option are available
Buyers can option this engine with a six-speed manual in the S and SX grades while the six-speed automatic is available in the S, SX and SX+ grades.
Joining the range for the first time is a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder that sends drive through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to the all-wheel-drive system.
Sportage buyers will be familiar with the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that has been beefed up and now produces 137kW/416Nm, offering increases of 1kW/16Nm respectively.
Buyers can choose between either front- or all-wheel drive
Kia continues to pair the diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive exclusively.
As previously reported by Chasing Cars, Kia Australia has been in negotiations with its factory in Korea to bring a self-charging Sportage hybrid to our shores but the deal hasn’t been locked in just yet.
Kia Sportage: grade-by-grade walkthrough
Kia has made significant improvements to the level of equipment on the base model Sportage starting with a full complement of LED lighting for the S grade and 17-inch alloy wheels.
In front of the driver sit analogue gauges with a 4.2-inch LCD display, and mounted centrally is an 8.0-inch touchscreen that now has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Manual seats, cloth upholstery and leather-appointed steering wheel and shifter remain from before.
The Sportage comes with wireless Apple CarPlay on the base model – but higher models require a wired connection
Kia has thrown a slew of extra safety gear at the whole Sportage range, including adaptive cruise control, front and rear AEB with junction assist, blind-spot monitoring and centre airbag.
Moving up to the SX nets a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen – though an ongoing dispute with smartphone manufacturers means you don’t get wireless CarPlay or Android Auto – power lumbar adjustment, dual-zone climate control and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The upper mid-spec SX+ builds on the SX with an eight-speaker Harman-Kardon sound system, keyless access to the front doors and boot, push-button start, 19-inch alloy wheel and shifter paddles.
The Sportage SX+ and GT-Line grades come with an eight-speaker Harman-Kardon sound system
Topping out the Kia Sportage Australian lineup is the GT-Line which offers a little extra opulence in the form of a rotary transmission selector, heated and cooled black leather appointed seats and a panoramic sunroof.
Additionally, the GT-Line is fitted with extra gear to stop you getting into an incident such as a 360-degree camera and active blind-spot camera which beams footage from a camera in the mirror onto the 12.3-inch digital driver’s display when the driver indicates.
The 2022 Kia Sportage range starts from $34,690 and runs up to $52,370 and is expected to go on sale in Australia this month.
Kia Sportage 2022: prices in Australia
Prices listed are before on-road costs.
- Sportage S 2.0 petrol 6MT: $32,445 ($34,690 driveaway)
- Sportage S 2.0 petrol 6AT: $34,445 ($35,690 driveaway)
- Sportage S 2.0 turbo-diesel 8AT: $39,845 ($42,690 driveaway)
- Sportage SX 2.0 petrol 6MT: $35,000 ($37,490 driveaway)
- Sportage SX 2.0 petrol 6AT: $37,000 ($38,490 driveaway)
- Sportage SX 2.0 turbo-diesel 8AT: $42,400 ($45,490 driveaway)
- Sportage SX+ 2.0 petrol 6AT: $41,500 ($44,490 driveaway)
- Sportage SX+ 1.6 turbo-petrol 7DCT: $43,500 ($46,990 driveaway)
- Sportage SX+ 2.0 turbo-diesel 8AT: $46,900 ($49,990 driveaway)
- Sportage GT-Line 1.6 turbo-petrol 7DCT: $49,370 ($51,990 driveaway)
- Sportage GT-Line 2.0 turbo-diesel 8AT: $52,370 ($54,990 driveaway)
