Kia has updated its popular Sportage in South Africa, adding new features while removing two units from the line-up.
When the current-generation Sportage first launched in the country in September last year, it carried a starting price of R539,995, but this has since gone up to R637,995 owing to inflation as well as the aforementioned changes to the SUV.
Notably, the Korean automaker has dropped the entry-level LX and EX petrol units, leaving the diesel LX as the new starting point, and it has also added Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard across the range which was previously reserved for the flagship GT-Line.
This means all customers now get lane-keep assist and forward collision avoidance in addition to items like blind-spot monitoring, ABS, hill assist, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, an artificial leather multifunction steering wheel, keyless entry and start, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, six speakers, cruise control, and a 12.3-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Higher-spec versions also receive things like electric front seats, heated seats for both rows, a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, a wireless charger, a 12.0-inch digital driver display, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free electric tailgate, gearshift paddles, artificial leather/suede seats, and alloy rims up to 19 inches in size.
Performance-wise, you have a choice of a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol or diesel engine with 132kW and 265Nm or 100kW and 300Nm, respectively.
All versions of the Kia are front-wheel drive and use a seven-speed automatic gearbox, with the petrol’s fuel consumption working out to 6.5l/100km while the diesel uses 4.9l/100km.
Mid-size rivals
These are the SUVs competing with the updated Kia Sportage in South Africa.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max 1.6TGDI 290T Executive AWD
- Starting price – R609,900
- Power – 145kW/290Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.8l/100km
Renault Koleos 2.5 Intens
- Starting price – R620,999
- Power – 126kW/233Nm
- Fuel consumption – 8.1l/100km
Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Executive
- Starting price – R639,500
- Power – 115kW/192Nm
- Fuel consumption – 8.9l/100km
Proton X70 1.5T Premium X
- Starting price – R639,900
- Power – 130kW/255Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.8l/100km
Haval H6 GT 2.0GDIT 4WD Super Luxury
- Starting price – R642,550
- Power – 155kW/325Nm
- Fuel consumption – 8.4l/100km
Mazda CX-5 2.0 Carbon Edition
- Starting price – R651,800
- Power – 121kW/213Nm
- Fuel consumption – 6.9l/100km
BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T City Hunter
- Starting price – R659,500
- Power – 145kW/290Nm
- Fuel consumption – 10.1l/100km
Subaru Forester 2.0i S ES
- Starting price – R669,000
- Power – 115kW/196Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.6l/100km
Honda CR-V 2.0 Elegance
- Starting price – R669,900
- Power – 113kW/189Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.3l/100km
Nissan X-Trail 2.5 Visia
- Starting price – R672,900
- Power – 135kW/244Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.4l/100km
Peugeot 3008 1.6T Allure
- Starting price – R674,900
- Power – 121kW/240Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.0l/100km
Opel Grandland 1.6T GS Line
- Starting price – R679,900
- Power – 121kW/240Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.0l/100km
Citroen C5 Aircross 1.6T Shine
- Starting price – R683,900
- Power – 121kW/240Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.0l/100km
VW Tiguan 1.4TSI Life
- Starting price – R686,700
- Power – 110kW/250Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.7l/100km
Toyota RAV4 2.0 VX
- Starting price – R712,500
- Power – 127kW/203Nm
- Fuel consumption – 6.5l/100km
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