- The refreshed Sportage gets comprehensive styling updates.
- It is rumoured to have a 48-volt mild-hybrid system as a part of the update.
- The updated Sportage is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Kia was spotted testing the refreshed Sportage at the Nurburgring without any camouflage at all. The SUV gets a fresh cosmetic update to keep it new for another couple of years until a new generation arrives.
The most prominent changes seem to be made to the grille, front bumpers and the headlamps. The characteristic grille has slightly modified inserts. The lighting signature of the headlamps is revamped with full LED units which look more modern than the current car. The front bumper now gets a chrome strip running across, connecting the housing cases of the two fog lamps. These lamps also have LED styling with larger black surrounds.
At the rear, the tail lights now run across the tailgate. The LED signature on the tail lamps also appears to be a new styling. There is a chrome strip seen on the lower bumper as well. The car sits on sporty alloy wheels which gels well with the overall styling of the SUV. A single image of the cabin doesn’t provide any details. But there seems to be an updated infotainment screen with no other significant changes.
Under the hood, things would remain unchanged. But the Korean carmaker has confirmed a 48Volt diesel mild hybrid system for the Sportage which will arrive later this year. The same electrified diesel setup will be used in the Ceed next year. This mild-hybrid system is called the EcoDynamics+ and is the first of the many alternative powertrains that Kia plans to reveal by 2025 as a part of its electrification strategy.
The new and updated Sportage is expected to be revealed sometime later this year. We expect the 2018 Paris Motor Show to be a probable platform for the Korean carmaker to premiere the compact SUV.
