If Hyundai Tucson was shocked by his appearance last fall, his sister Kia Sportage owes him nothing. The Korean SUV from Žilina is coming for the first time in a specific version for the European market and, in addition to its distinctive appearance, it relies mainly on electrification. You can buy it not only as a classic hybrid, but you also plug it into a socket.
Anyone expecting a significant departure from the Hyundai Tucson will probably be disappointed. The Kia Sportage is technically quite similar to its sibling, which is best illustrated by the view under the hood. For the first time ever, a Korean SUV receives both a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid drive. In the second case, the combination of an electric and a supercharged 1.6-liter petrol engine has a system power of 195 kW, while the battery has a capacity of 13.8 kWh. Kia does not give an electric range on a single charge, but looking at Hyundai we find that it should be 62 km.
The hybrid version with a total system power of 169 kW also has the same supercharged 16-liter engine with an output of 132 kW, where, however, the battery is significantly smaller and cannot be recharged from the socket. However, the electric motor will at least help save fuel and improve driving dynamics.
Electrification is also offered by the basic version of the 1.6 T-GDI petrol engine with an output of 110 or 132 kW. In both cases, however, it is only a mildhybrid, the same technology can have 100kW turbodiesel 1.6 CRDi. It will be offered in weaker 85kW specifications without electrical assistance. Depending on the version, the engines will be connected to a seven-speed two-clutch automatic or six-speed manual. For selected variants, all-wheel drive will also be present in combination with the driving mode selector.
The fifth generation of the car has also grown. Although an even longer variant will be available globally, the European one has a total of 4515 mm and 2680 mm between the axles. This is 30 or 10 mm more than before. Sportage is now also wider. The case can hold 591 to 1780 liters with the seats folded down, which is a sharp increase compared to the current design. There should then be enough space on the rear seats.
As we have already indicated, the fifth Kia Sportage is really interesting in appearance. The global longer version, unveiled at the beginning of the holidays, has revealed a lot, but the European specification is still different in detail. There is also a new logo of the carmaker and a tiger radiator grille, but at first glance, the daylight diodes in the shape of a boomerang attract attention.
These are followed by LED main lights. In some versions, the two-tone paintwork of the body with a black roof and the wheels with a size of 17 to 19 inches stand out from the profile. The rear sections are very powerful, the headlights then have the shape of a blade according to the brand. But they are definitely not completely common either. The sporty character can then be emphasized, for example, by the GT-Line equipment.
The cabin is a bit more conventional and, following the example of Mercedes, its main part consists of two 12.3-inch screens forming a single unit – one is the output of digital alarm clocks, the other is touch and controls a multimedia system with navigation or possible full smartphone integration. . Unlike the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia has not yet completely betrayed the classic physical buttons (although they have decreased) on the center panel and the tunnel between the seats. In addition to all possible assistants, the car also has a front center airbag.
The specifically designed version of Kie Sportage for Europe, which happened for the first time, will enter the Czech market at the beginning of 2022. The car will have its world premiere at the upcoming IAA Motor Show and Mobility Fair in Munich.
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