Kia introduced the all-new Sportage to South Africa last year offering a five-model range. Now it has more than doubled it’s offering by adding seven new derivatives.
The first addition to the Sportage line-up sees the entry-level Sportage 2.0 Ignite model (previously only available with a manual transmission) gain a six-speed automatic transmission.
An additional manual model known as the Ignite Plus gets exterior enhancements, such as front fog lights and 17-inch wheels (up from the standard 16-inch), while the interior gains an electrochromatic rearview mirror. The Sportage Ignite Plus is available with KIA’s familiar 114 kW, 192 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine, as well as with a choice between six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
The Ignite Plus derivative also gains the option of the smaller new 1.7-litre CRDI engine in the Sportage range. The new 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine develops 85 kW and 280 Nm of torque mated with a 6-speed manual transmission.
“Turbodiesel power in a compact SUV remains a popular choice for many customers and we are very excited about the addition of a new turbodiesel engine to the Sportage line-up,” says David Sieff, “especially at such as fantastic price.”
At launch, the Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX was the only mid-spec offering in the range and this turbodiesel was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. From the end of June, the EX model grade will also be available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine option.
The EX specification grade offers all of the features included in the Ignite grade, but adds items such as an electric parking brake, front park distance control, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, a Smart Key with Start/Stop button, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, and electric folding side mirrors with integrated indicators.
KIA is also bolstering the EX models with the addition of two new EX Plus derivatives, also with a choice between 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel power, that slot in between the existing EX and SX all-wheel drive models. Taking all of the standard features of the EX models, the new EX PLUS specification adds 19-inch alloy wheels to the exterior, while the interior gains electric front seats, a rear-view camera as well as a 7-inch touchscreen with integrated satellite navigation.
The remainder of the Sportage line-up remains unchanged, with the 2.4 GDI and 2.0 CRDI SX AWD models and 1.6 T-GDI GT Line model rounding off the range.
The revised Sportage range (with new derivatives in bold):
Sportage 2.0 Ignite Manual R 369 995
Sportage 2.0 Ignite PLUS Manual R 376 995
Sportage 2.0 Ignite Automatic R 382 995
Sportage 2.0 Ignite PLUS Automatic R 389 995
Sportage 1.7 Ignite PLUS Manual R 406 995 (Available from 30 June 2017)
Sportage 2.0 EX Automatic R 429 995 (Available from 30 June 2017)
Sportage 2.0 EX PLUS Automatic R 459 995 (Available from 30 June 2017)
Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX Automatic R 487 995
Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX PLUS Automatic R 517 995
Sportage 2.4 GDI SX AWD Automatic R 557 995
Sportage 2.0 CRDI SX AWD Automatic R 567 995
Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT Line AWD DCT R 599 995
Adding even further value to the KIA Sportage package is KIA’s industry-leading 5-year / Unlimited Kilometre Warranty, inclusive of 5-years / Unlimited Kilometres Roadside Assistance, as standard, as well as a 5-year / 90,000km Service Plan.