Early Sportage successes for Kia

Kia says that pre-orders for its incoming fifth generation Sportage compact SUV have been flooding in, with customer enthusiasm to the all-new model “beyond expectations”.

Dec 2, 2021

Soon to be available at Giltrap Kia in Wairau Valley, the all-new Sportage will launch with the LX 2.0-litre two-wheel-drive petrol variant, with all other models to follow shortly after.

The new Sportage promises a striking, eye-catching appearance matched with a contemporary cabin and plenty of advanced technology onboard.

Kia New Zealand is reporting an unprecedented response to the all-new, fifth-generation Kia Sportage in advance of its official local launch.

“We were quietly confident we were onto a real winner with the all-new Sportage, but the response from Kiwi motorists has been beyond our expectations,” says Todd McDonald, Managing Director of Kia New Zealand.

The all-new Kia Sportage is an evolution of the previous model, thanks to the introduction of new technology, enhanced safety and significantly improved interior space for all occupants. It features revised styling, increased proportions and, as with all other Kia passenger vehicles available for sale in New Zealand, offers five-year warranty and five-year roadside assistance as standard.

“Sportage is synonymous with Kia and epitomises the ongoing development and transformation of the brand,” continues McDonald.

“From a size and dimensions perspective, Sportage has grown markedly compared with its predecessor. This is clear from the outside and is amplified further when you sit inside the vehicle. It’s an incredibly well thought out package with regards to interior space and provides for significantly enhanced leg and head room for all occupants, as well as increased luggage capacity.”

Key to the aesthetic appeal of the new Sportage is the use of the marque’s new design language, known as ‘Opposites United.’ The front of the vehicle showcases Kia’s modern signature Tiger Nose grille while, at the back, a muscular swooping fastback design flows into the razor rear lamps.

The interior of the all-new Sportage creates a driver-orientated space that Kia says is state-of-the-art and has been carefully crafted to fuse breakthrough tech with premium features, materials and style.

Staying inside, the new generation Sportage’s enhanced dimensions provide plenty of space for the driver and as many as four passengers and their luggage. When required, the rear-seats can fold flat at the press of a button to enable a versatile and easy through-loading cargo space. A 60:40 split also allows for additional seating configurations which can accommodate either one or two passengers, as well as longer items, at the same time.

When it arrives in New Zealand, the new Sportage will offer three different engine options – two petrol and one diesel powertrain.

The 2.0-litre petrol 2WD engine, available in LX and LX Plus, produces 115kW of power and 192Nm of torque. The second petrol option is a 1.6-litre turbo-charged engine and is available with AWD applications in Deluxe and X-Line trim. Here, power and torque increase to 132kW and 265Nm respectively.

Fuel consumption for the larger petrol engine is 8.1L/100km, which improves to 7.2L/100km for its turbo-charged stablemate.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine is available across all four trims levels and features AWD as standard. It boasts 137kW of power and 416Nm of torque and offers 6.3L/100km combined fuel economy.

Petrol variants are rated to tow 1650kg braked, which increases to 1900kg braked for diesel models, further adding to the all-round versatility of the Sportage.

From a safety perspective, a comprehensive suite of passive and active features is standard across the range. Kia’s acclaimed Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology helps the Sportage to avoid potential hazards while protecting occupants and other road users on every journey. As part of its ADAS package, the all-new Sportage features Kia’s industry-leading Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), which helps avoid collisions with objects in front of the vehicle while driving.

Additional features as standard include Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance (RCA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane Follow Assist (LFA).

The Kiwi model offering will consist of eight iterations covering four trim levels: LX, LX Plus, Deluxe and X-Line. Pricing extends from an introductory price of $34,990 (plus ORCs) for the entry-level LX Urban 2.0L Petrol 2WD (pricing available until December 31, 2021) up to the $61,990 X-Line Diesel AWD.