Fifth-gen Kia Sportage detailed for Oz

KIA has detailed pricing and specifications of its fifth-generation Sportage SUV for Australia, the new model arriving this month to take on the strong-selling Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. 

Priced from $32,445 (plus on-road costs), the entry grade Sportage S retails from $1995 higher than its predecessor with the second tier SX jumping by $2410 to $35,000 (plus ORCs). The third-rung SX+ starts $1710 dearer than the outgoing model at $41,500 (plus ORCs) and top-shelf GT-Line AWD is up $2380 to $52,370 (plus ORCs).

There are considerable enhancements to the specification and equipment levels offered across the Sportage line-up including LED headlights and 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster for the entry model. 

A front-centre airbag, uprated AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane follow assist are also standard across the range, with automatic models adopting adaptive cruise control as standard.

Kia has ditched the 2.4-litre petrol engine offered previously in favour of its 2.0-litre four-cylinder for front-wheel drive models. The naturally- aspirated unit develops 115kW/192Nm and is paired to a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.

The 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four common to many Hyundai and Kia models joins the Sportage range for 2022 and is paired exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The unit outputs 132kW/265Nm and is available in all-wheel drive configuration only.

A 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine is also available in all-wheel drive format only, the four-cylinder unit making 137kW/416Nm and paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Kia has yet to provide fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures for its 2022 Sportage range.

“[The] Sportage has always had a knack of reinventing itself more than any other Kia model and the new, fifth-generation with its unique boomerang-shaped LEDs, razor rear lamps, and swooping curved display is no different,” Kia Australia COO Damein Meredith told GoAuto previously.

“The all-new Sportage promises to be a substantial evolution over the outgoing Sportage and is a true reflection of where not only the nameplate, but the Kia brand is heading.”

The Sportage S – which is available in front- and all-wheel drive configurations, with petrol and diesel engines, and with manual or automatic transmissions – is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels (including a full-size matching spare), an 8.0-inch infotainment array featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, partial LED tail-lights, leather-accented steering wheel, tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, and an electric park brake on automatic models.

The SX – again available as a petrol or diesel, with manual or automatic gearboxes, and with front- or all-wheel drive – adds 18-inch alloys, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system with proprietary satellite navigation, powered driver-seat lumbar support, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, auto up/down front windows, a leather-wrapped gear shift knob, and remote-folding second-row seats.

For the well-equipped Sportage SX+ – which is the first model in the line-up to be offered with turbo-petrol power in addition to petrol and diesel units and in front and all-wheel drive – there’s  19-inch alloy wheels, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, artificial leather upholstery, heated front seats, LED front foglights, powered driver’s seat, electric tailgate, a self-dimming rear-view mirror, keyless ignition, paddle shifters, front parking sensors, and rear privacy glass.

At the top of the tree, the Sportage GT-Line adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leather/suede upholstery, electric driver’s seat with memory function, power-adjustable passenger seat, bi-LED headlights and full LED tail-lights, shift-by-wire transmission, LED interior and ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging pad, alloy pedals, blind-spot monitor, 360-degree camera, rear parking collision avoidance, and, on diesel models, remote smart park assist.

The Sportage GT-Line is available with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines paired to automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive only.

Kia continues to offer its entire passenger car range with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty which includes capped-price servicing and roadside assist. Service pricing for the new Sportage has yet to be advised.

2022 Kia Sportage pricing*

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.