The 2022 Kia Sportage, which we came together as part of a special event, carries serious messages from the brand’s search for a new identity.
We all know the story of the Phoenix, which took its place in our minds as a mythological creature. This legendary creature, which burned to death in its home where it grew and grew, resurrects itself by rising from its ashes. Although the story has many different details in itself, the most iconic part in world literature is the depiction of Phoenix rising from the ashes. Although we do not know what Anka sacrificed in the rebirth process in this story, we can now consider the process on its own for Kia Sportage, which is proceeding on a path similar to this story before our eyes. The adventure in Turkey officially started in February 2022 for the fifth generation Sportage, where we met the European version at the event held in September 2021. The real enrichment for the 2022 Kia Sportage product range, which was offered for sale in Turkey in only two different versions at that time, begins in May. With the addition of full-capacity hybrid versions to the lists in June, we had the opportunity to meet with the model, which will have a wide range with a total of 12 different versions, as part of a special event organized. With Sportage, which we received the first messages about the level it has reached, albeit for a very short time, Kia also clearly states that it has set its sights higher as a brand.
2022 Kia Sportage; What you need to know on the technical side
Before sharing the notes from our short driving experience with the fifth generation Sportage, it is useful to compile the highlights of the vehicle on paper. Compared to the fourth generation, we are faced with a model that has been carried forward from every point in terms of dimensions. Compared to the previous generation, the Sportage, which is 10 millimeters better in terms of 30 millimeters in length and axle distance, comes with an increase of 10 percent on the luggage volume side compared to the old Sportage. The interior living space of the vehicle has also improved noticeably, both at the front and at the rear. The improvements you will notice immediately in shoulder and knee distance, combined with the panoramic glass roof, make the journey much more enjoyable for the rear passengers.
With a total length of 4,509 millimeters, the new Sportage will be almost the same as the Tucson, which comes with a length of 4,500 millimeters. The model, which promises 591 liters of luggage volume as standard, shows flexibility up to 1,780 liters when the seats are passive. For reference, when we look at Tucson in this section, we see that 598 liters of luggage volume is offered. Another point that should be known in the dimensional dynamics of the Sportage is that it will be offered for sale with a shorter body in Europe compared to the American and Far East markets. It was also clearly shared that this choice was made for the Sportage, which comes with a 133 millimeters shorter body length and 75 millimeters shorter wheelbase compared to the exterior versions we mentioned, considering the market dynamics.
On the other side, where we turn our eyes on a numerical basis, it lies under the hood. With the month of May, 1.6-liter engine volume can be preferred in the entire Sportage family, which can be preferred over three different engine dynamics. The data in the technical table of these engines, which are fully integrated with electrically assisted mild-hybrid and hybrid systems, are as follows;
Gasoline
1.6L TGDI 2WD Mild Hybrid – 150 PS power – 250 Nm torque – 0-100 in 9.6 seconds – 189 km/h top speed
1.6L TGDI 4WD Mild Hybrid – 150 PS power – 250 Nm torque – 0-100 in 9.7 seconds – 189 km/h top speed
Diesel
1.6L CRDI 2WD Mild Hybrid – 136 PS power – 320 Nm torque – 0-100 – 180 km/h top speed in 11.4 seconds
1.6L CRDI 4WD Mild Hybrid – 136 PS power – 320 Nm torque – 0-100 in 11.6 seconds – 189 km/h top speed
hybrid
1.6L TGDI 2WD HEV – 230 PS power – 350 Nm torque – 8 seconds 0-100 – 193 km/h top speed
1.6L TGDI 4WD HEV – 230 PS power – 350 Nm torque – 0-100 in 8.3 seconds – 193 km/h top speed
Four different trim levels
2022 Kia Sportage product range as of May; It can be preferred with four different equipment levels: “Cool, Elegance Comfort, Prestige, Prestige Smart”. We can say that with the new generation, much richer standard equipment awaits the users, even in the base version. In this context, when we look at the entry-level Cool; ” 17 inch wheel set, LED front-day-rear-fog lights, Electrically controlled, heated and foldable side mirrors, rear parking sensor, backup camera, electric parking brake, keyless entry and start system, 12.3 inch instrument information display We see that the 8-inch multimedia screen, cruise control, front collision avoidance assistant and all lane tracking assistants are offered as standard. With the top packages; Keyless entry and start system, 3-stage heated and cooled front seats, 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch multimedia entertainment system, surround view camera system, Electric and memory trunk lid, Intelligent cruise control, blind spot collision options such as the prevention system, rear parking collision avoidance assistant and highway driving assistant come as standard to reflect the state-of-the-art user experience.
Sportage and EV6 will be pioneers of the new brand identity
Sportage, which will be one of the main players in Kia’s rise in the last few years, has serious clues about reflecting the transformation, including the brand identity. Brand officials, whom we asked our questions within the scope of the event, stated very clearly that they want to attract users from the premium segment with the new period. It should be noted at this point that the search for a new identity, which includes the brand logo as well as Kia’s design, will be supported by the transformation of sales points. Kia sales points, of which we are slowly starting to see the first examples in Turkey, aim to offer a completely different experience from the first moment you enter the door.
Notes from the first meeting; Design and more
We can say that Sportage, with which we came together as part of the event, will attract a lot of attention on the design side. In the front section, where the boomerang-shaped daytime running lights used in the exterior design of the model are predominantly positioned, the chrome detail with the grille also creates a very serious effect on the appearance. Kia’s design team has also worked hard on the side of the vehicle. While the touches on the doors create depth in the transition, the structure of the shoulder lines on the C-pillar is positioned as a show of strength in Sportage. When we move to the back, we see that the design approach is preferred in a much smoother and simpler way.
When we get behind the wheel of the Sportage, the first thing that draws attention is the huge panel in a single frame that brings to mind BMW’s new generation cockpit. We can say that this structure, which combines a 12.3-inch full digital display and a 12.3-inch multimedia system, is quite satisfactory on the software and visual side. The screen on the driver’s side, which takes on a different color and theme according to the driving modes, is a very decisive factor on the usability side of the blind spot monitoring system, which we also know from Hyundai.
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Another part that is completely different from the previous generation is the center console and gear panel. We see that a design that brings to mind the “gear” is used in the new gear panel, which is also used in the EV6. The gear selector, which is very useful in terms of feeling, reveals that we are sometimes in a powerful off-road vehicle in appearance. Improvements have been made in the material quality of Sportage to meet expectations. Seeing that the line form used in the air conditioner outlets is also reflected on the door panels creates a nice experience on the side of continuity. Another point we would like to mention here is on the general dynamics at the front. The front living area of the Sportage feels quite spacious with the effect of the distance between the screen and the steering wheel. The front nose design, which is short compared to the body, which you can easily distinguish on the outside of the vehicle, will make you feel that you are driving a compact vehicle. While this affects usability positively, it also reveals a relatively opposite character, as it makes you think that you are alone with a smaller vehicle when you look from the driver’s seat to the front.
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In the limited time we spent with the Sportage, we were able to achieve a driving experience of approximately 70 kilometers. While these dynamics do not provide an opportunity to make a general comment on both performance and consumption, they also allow us to get not bad clues about understanding the vehicle’s capabilities. Independent architecture is offered to users in the front and rear suspensions of the fifth generation Sportage, which is developed on the N3 platform, which we also know from Hyundai models. At the rear, we witness a noticeable improvement in the cornering ability of the vehicle, with the independent suspensions coming in multi-link type. We have included in our notes to experience the performance of this architecture in the 4×4 version, which we think has an effect on the improved torsional resistance that comes with the new infrastructure, during the long-term testing process. Although the total weight varies according to the versions, we prefer to leave the engine and performance details of the Sportage, which varies between 1,505 kilograms and 1,640 kilograms, to a comprehensive examination. Updated for 2022 Kia Sportage, which we will meet again in the coming days. price list as follows;
New Sportage 1.6L 150 PS DCT (Automatic) Petrol Cool – 729.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 136 PS DCT (Automatic) Diesel Cool – 789.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 150 PS DCT (Automatic) Petrol Elegance Comfort – 829.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 150 PS DCT 4×4 (Automatic) Petrol Elegance Comfort – 869.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 136 PS DCT (Automatic) Diesel Elegance Comfort – 889.900
New Sportage 1.6L 136 PS DCT 4×4 (Automatic) Diesel Elegance Comfort – 929.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 150 PS DCT (Automatic) Petrol Prestige – 939.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 150 PS DCT 4×4 (Automatic) Petrol Prestige – 979.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 136 PS DCT (Automatic) Diesel Prestige – 999.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 136 PS DCT 4×4 (Automatic) Diesel Prestige – 1.039.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 230 PS Automatic Hybrid Prestige Smart – 1.139.900 TL
New Sportage 1.6L 230 PS Automatic 4×4 Hybrid Prestige Smart – 1.179.900 TL
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