It’s nearly here! Fans of the Kia Sportage will be glad to hear that the fifth-generation model will be introduced by Dinamikjaya Motors (DJM) during the upcoming KLIMS 2024. Orders for the new Sportage are already being accepted. The SUV will be locally assembled (CKD) at the Inokom facility in Kedah.
However, since the facelift version is presently only available in Korea, you may have to wait another two years to get it. The pre-facelift model will, at the very least, be offered at “very competitive pricing,” according to DJM, thus now may still be the best time to get one before the facelift model’s price rises after it is introduced internationally.
Positioned in the C-segment SUV, the Sportage will face off against newcomers like the GWM Haval H6 HEV and more experienced competitors like the Proton X70 and Honda CR-V.
The brand-new fifth-generation Sportage’s sharp headlamps and bold front grille give it a distinctive appearance, like a Star Wars Stormtrooper helmet, especially when painted white.
With linked taillights that could pass for a full-width light bar, the back is just as eye-catching as the front end. In Malaysia, the brand-new Sportage will come with either 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, depending on the model.
Both versions have a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster inside, but the infotainment system is different. Higher-end models have a high-resolution touchscreen infotainment system built into a single glass panel next to the instrument cluster, with multimedia controls mounted on a separate panel. Lower-end models have a basic touchscreen infotainment system.
Both devices are compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Even the designs of the centre consoles are different; one features a rotary gear knob, while the other features a conventional gear lever.
The new Kia will also come with a Harman Kardon premium music system, dual-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. Two powertrain choices will be offered— a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 156 horsepower and 192 Nm and a six-speed automatic gearbox, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 177 horsepower and 265 Nm and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the latter of which is found on the more expensive models.
Safety-wise, the Sportage is equipped with Kia’s latest suite of safety features which includes forward collision-avoidance assist (FCA), lane keeping assist (LKA), blind-spot collision avoidance (BCA), and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance (RCCA).
Pricing will only be accessible at launch, as usual, at KLIMS 2024, which takes place from December 5–11. However, we are aware that every model will include a free five-year service maintenance and a five-year 100,000-kilometer warranty.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
This new Sportage will really take the game up to the Proton X70 and Honda CR-V with its sharp looks, generous engine range and interior quality. Stay tuned for the most recent information on the Kia Sportage’s pricing, features, and variants so you don’t miss our coverage of its premiere at KLIMS 2024!