Kia Sportage undergoes range reshuffle

In preparation for car sales to ramp back up in summer, Kia has announced some changes to the range of its mid-size SUV, the Sportage.

It is introducing a new range-topping equipment grade, called simply ‘3’ and adding some additional equipment to the base ‘2’ grade.

All Sportages now come with the 8in infotainment screen with smartphone mirroring and connected services. Rear parking sensors and reversing camera are also standard.

The newly introduced 3 grade builds on 2 and adds a panoramic sunroof, front wiper de-icer, black leather upholstery, a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry, a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, black wheel arch mouldings LED front and rear lights and blind-spot collision warning.

As before, the Sportage can also be ordered as a GT-Line, which has additional sporty details, or a GT-Line S, which adds further equipment.

The 1.6 petrol and diesel engines also return, but the 2.0-litre diesel with mild hybrid assistance appears to have been quietly discontinued. All remaining engines can be combined with either a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox.

The petrol engine comes in 130hp naturally aspirated and 174hp turbocharged guises. The lower-power version emits 177g/km of CO₂ and promises 36.2mpg, while the turbocharged version emits 183g/km of CO₂. That puts both in the top, 37% BIK band. 

The 1.6CRDi diesel produces 134hp and can optionally be combined with all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive versions emit from 141g/km if CO₂, putting them in the 31% BIK bracket, as they are RDE2-compliant. That figure rises with additional equipment and all-wheel drive.

Prices start at £23,445 OTR for a manual 1.6 in 2 grade, and rise to £33,330 for an all-wheel drive diesel in GT-Line S spec.