And you though the new Hyundai Tucson was bold…
Say hello to the rear of the 2022 Kia Sportage, which wears a bold look inspired by the EV6 electric car.
Kia’s critical mid-sized rival to the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson is expected to debut around the middle of 2021.
Images published on Korean Car Blog reveal the smooth rear and teardrop-shaped tail lights of the new Sportage, as well as a gargantuan take on the new Kia badge above the number plate.
A new platform will underpin the new Sportage, which is likely to grow almost every dimension except weight.
Kia is likely to offer short and long-wheelbase versions of the car, just as Hyundai does with the Tucson. It’s not yet clear if both will be offered in Australia, or if Kia will follow Hyundai in selling only the long wheelbase Sportage.
Measuring up at 4630mm long, 1865mm wide, and 1665mm tall with a 2755mm wheelbase, the long-wheelbase Tucson is 15mm longer than a Toyota RAV4 with a 65mm longer wheelbase, although both are the same width.
Expect the Sportage to fit in a very similarly-sized parking spot.
The new platform beneath the Sportage allows for electrification, so hybrid and plug-in hybrid options are likely.
The Sportage should offer the same range of petrol and diesel engines as the related Hyundai Tucson, mated to six-speed manual, six-speed auto, seven-speed dual-clutch, and eight-speed automatic transmissions.
It’s not yet clear which will be offered in Australia.
As for the hybrids, the Sportage Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid will almost certainly draw upon a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine mated to an electric motor and battery pack, with outputs and capacities depending on variant.
The current Sportage (above) remains a key seller for Kia right at the end of its lifecycle, sitting as its second-best-seller as of the end of February.
In 2020, 9579 examples found Australian homes despite an ever-growing crop of new rivals and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
