The third presents the Kia Sportage and is the 3th generation for this crossover, completely renovated in shapes, style and content. The Sportage has lost each feature to be a classic off-road, so it have been called CUV (crossover utility vehicle) instead of SUV (S=Sport): there is always, of course, the 4×4 version (with the intelligent all-wheel drive Dynamax, which automatically adapts to the type of road surface), but Kia is focusing also on two-wheel drive versions, with good dynamics and lower prices. Compared to its predecessor, the size grows and now is longer and wider 9 cm and 5.5 cm, while the roofline is lowered by 60 mm, proving that the vehicle is leaving the ambition to be “off road” and point to be used mainly in urban areas. It was also reduced the weight of the car, between 87 and 160 kg depending on the model and equipment.
Great news in the cockpit, on original interior material and at the same time finest. The dashboard has a more elegant design, focusing on the horizontal space, thanks to the horizontal surface that runs across the whole length including the main section of the dashboard and center console. Considerable space is also available in the trunk: from 564 of the previous version to 1353 liters (lowering the rear seat). Excellent basic safety equipment, with six airbags, active head restraints, ABS, TCS, ESC, Uphill-start control and downhill speed control, a wonderful navigator with touch screen and crystal clear graphics and optional camera for parking. Pack equipment on the new Sportage are two and include on the version ‘Active’ : ABS, TCS and ESP, six airbags, LED daytime running lights, rain sensor, audio system with USB and Aux input, leather for steering wheel and gear knob, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity.
The most complete pack ‘Class’ adds privacy glass, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and rear parking sensors. The only available optional are the automatic sequential six-speed shift (1,400 euros, only for the 2.0 engine), the sunroof (900 euros) and a navigation system with touch screen, rear parking camera, external amplifier and subwoofer (1,250 euros). Available engines are the 2.0 liter petrol engine with 163 hp variable valve timing system and a 2.0 136 hp turbo diesel. For both there is a choice between front-wheel drive with the integral Dynamax system, developed jointly with Magna Powertrain. This technology allows you to direct drive torque to the rear axle more quickly and thus reduce the loss of adhesion. Up to 40 km/h is also possible to activate differential lock to balance (50% -50%), the motion between the two axles. The new Kia Sportage will have, later, two more engines: a 1.6 gasoline 135 hp and the diesel 115 hp 1.7. (Prices are approximate and refer to the European average)