The Kia Sportage is approaching an imminent mid-life facelift.
After being launched in 2021, the fifth-generation ‘NQ5’ Sportage is gearing up for a set of small tweaks to the cabin technology and exterior styling.
The vehicle has been spotted testing in both short wheelbase (European) and long wheelbase (American/Australian) guises with new renders from digital artist Kelsonik helping us imagine the future look of this popular family SUV.
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The changes are fairly mild. A new front bumper features a fresh grille that is narrow and now separated from the headlights by a strip of body-colour plastic.
Kia has implemented its ‘star map’ lighting system for the new Sportage, with LED headlights that reach down low in the bumper like the EV3.
A new LED strip joins each headlight to the central Kia badge. Also new is a simplified lower ‘bash guard’ styling element.
The render debuts new wheels that are to be expected to feature on the Sportage facelift. There are no dramatic changes to the side profile, which is not unusual.
At the rear, the Sportage render incorporates a new LED tail light design with slimmer elements matching the spy shots. It also features a new rear ‘diffuser’ design element that is more prominent, better matching the front.
Inside, the Sportage is expected to change its screen set-up to match the current EV9, with its triple-monitor system incorporating multimedia, driving information and HVAC settings.
Instead, expect a similar line-up to what’s offered now. That means a turbo-petrol four-cylinder, price-leader 2.0-litre petrol and petrol-electric hybrid. We would expect more hybrid grades, currently Kia only sells the hybrid powertrain on SX and GT-Line grades.
Pricing is likely to climb with the new model. The Sportage S petrol starts at $32,995 and the GT-Line hybrid tops out at $55,420, both before on-road costs. The facelift should see the light later this year or early in 2025 with Australian sales likely to start some time next year.
Expect a start of $35,000 at least with a near $60K range-topper for the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, GWM Haval H6 and Hyundai Tucson rival.
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