Kia Sportage: Features explained

Last year, Kia Philippines joined hands with Ayala Corporation to improve its performance in the country. And at the pace which Kia is moving now, it seems that this move has worked pretty well for the South Korean brand.

Ever since this partnership came into existence, we have seen new and updated Kia products in the market that have made much more sense than ever before.

For example, the 2019 Kia Soluto - it was the first car to come out after this partnership and it made quite a buzz. And then earlier this year, Kia updated its Sportage as well. It is a 5-seater SUV that is available in 3 variants along with some new features and elements that make it even more appealing, just like the other products in Kia’s line-up. Today, we are here to discuss some of the most exciting features available on the Sportage.

On the outside

Just like Mazda, Kia’s cars also have totally different and unique styling and design. You can spot a Kia in a crowd just by its trademark ‘Tiger Nose’ grille. We have seen this on every Kia and we are glad that it is here on the Sportage as well.

It has a distinct shape and looks very classy and elegant with the chrome surrounds and black inserts. Another feature on the Kia Sportage specs sheet that would make you fall in love is its LED headlamps. They look super cool with their design and there are more LEDs inside the housing than just the projector. The front bumper has been revamped as well for a sportier look and better aerodynamic efficiency. It also houses faux air intakes and LED fog lamps.

The Sportage looks very well built from the side as well. And thanks to the gorgeous alloy wheels, the styling is right up there with that of the some of the more expensive SUVs. Just like the front, the rear end on the Sportage has elements that are very unique. The two-piece combination tail lights look fantastic and their garnishing further enhances the look.

We also like the dual-tip exhaust tailpipes that emerge from underneath the new rear skid plate. The roof-mounted rear spoiler not only improves the stance but also helps in increasing the car’s aerodynamic efficiency.

On the inside

The interior on the new Kia Sportage features an all-black theme with white stitching all around. The backlight on the buttons is red and makes things even sportier. There is a good amount of space on the inside and the leather seats offer great comfort. Kia has also included a new touch screen infotainment system that supports CD, MP3, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB connectivity along with the full iPod-ready feature.

The 3-spoke steering wheel feels quite sporty and comes with a few mounted controls. Behind it is a conventional instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch colour TFT LCD for detailed information about the vehicle. Kia has also provided paddle shifters in case the driving enthusiast in you decides to take control.

Under the hood

Powering the Kia Sportage 2.0 LX AT 4x2 Gas variant is a 2.0-litre Dual DOHC D-CVVT gasoline-fed engine that has been tuned to churn out a maximum power of 155 PS at 6,200 rpm and 192 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The motor that powers the 2.0 LX AT 4x2 Diesel and the 2.0 GT-Line AT 4x2 Diesel is a 2.0-litre CRDi diesel-fed mill that can produce a maximum power of 185 PS at 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm of peak torque from 1,750 to 2,750 rpm. Handling the transmission duties is an eight-speed automatic unit, albeit only on the LX diesel and GT-Line models. The 2.0 LX AT 4x2 Gas gets a six-speed auto.

In terms of safety

Kia has extensively used advanced high strength steel (AHSS) in the structure of the Sportage because safety and strength go hand in hand for the brand. The Sportage also comes with 6 SRS airbags which are strategically placed all around the cabin to provide superior protection for all the occupants. Other important and worth mentioning safety features include ABS and electronic stability control.

These were some of the top features of the Sportage. However, these might vary depending on the variant you pick. The Kia Sportage price for the 2.0 LX AT 4x2 Gas variant is Php 1,290,000 whereas the 2.0 LX AT 4x2 Diesel model will set you back by Php 1,545,000. The top-of-the-line 2.0 GT-Line AT 4x2 Diesel carries a price tag of Php 1,820,000.

Also Read:- Bring home the 2019 Kia Sportage for Php 1,545,000