After a series of teasers, Kia has revealed the 2022 Kia Sportage ahead of a late 2021 Australian arrival. Sharing its platform – and likely engines as well – with the also new Hyundai Tucson, the new Sportage is a crucial model for Kia that competes in the most popular new car segment in Australia. Ushering in a radical new design, the 2022 Kia Sportage looks unlike any Kia – or other SUV – before it.
“Reinventing the Sportage gave our talented design teams a tremendous opportunity to do something new; to take inspiration from the recent brand relaunch and introduction of EV6 to inspire customers through modern and innovative SUV design. With the all-new Sportage, we didn’t simply want to take one step forward but instead move on to a different level in the SUV class,” commented Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Design Centre.
“When you see the all-new Sportage in person, with its sleek but powerfully dynamic stance, and when you sit inside the detailed-oriented cabin with its beautifully detailed interior and first-class materials, you’ll see we have achieved those goals and set new benchmarks. In the all-new Sportage, we believe you can see the future of our brand and our products.”
Now based on a new platform and to be offered in two wheelbase lengths – the long-wheelbase version is shown in these pictures – the 2022 Kia Sportage is a massive departure stylistically from the current model. The previous model’s styling has been replaced by dramatic lighting, a swoopy body and a huge new grille.
Inside the 2022 Kia Sportage is also a departure from the current model with a new dashboard incorporating two 10.25-inch displays, a shift-by-wire electronic gear selector and what appears to be a much higher quality of finish with more premium materials.
Likely using the same drivetrains as the recently released Hyundai Tucson, the 2022 Kia Sportage will likely be powered by a 2.0-litre petrol for 2WD models, either a 2.4-litre petrol in petrol AWD models, and a 2.0-litre diesel matched with AWD as standard. Like the Tucson, all engines are likely to be offered solely with automatic transmissions. Like the Tucson, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Sportage are likely to be sold in other markets – we’re hoping they come down under as well to battle the RAV4.
Local pricing and specs for the 2022 Kia Sportage are due to be revealed ahead of the car’s late 2021 on sale date in Australia. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest car news and reviews.
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