The new Kia Sportage has just made its American debut. The model undergoes its most significant change to date. Sales should begin early next year.
Kia introduces the fifth-generation 2023 Kia Sportage for North America. The new model represents the “Opposites United” design philosophy. It becomes larger in several dimensions. In particular, now it offers more space for rear passenger legs and cargo.
In addition, the 2023 Sportage debuts near-luxury features, such as 12.3-inch dual panoramic curved displays. The SUV adds new adventure-ready trim levels: X-Line, X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige. They come with 1.5 inches higher ground clearance, all-terrain tires, multi-terrain mode AWD system, unique exterior and interior details. Other available trims are LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige.
The vehicle offers 8 standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). New features include a 360-degree Surround View Monitor with 3D View and a live feed Blind-Spot View Monitor within the instrument cluster.
Under the hood of the new Kia Sportage, there is a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder I-4 engine that produces more power than the outgoing engine – 187 hp and is more efficient. The unit pairs a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Front-wheel or all-wheel drive is available. The active AWD system uses electro-hydraulic coupling with a center-locking differential for power distribution between front and rear wheels, depending on driving and road conditions.
Kia will build its new Sportage at the factory in Georgia, West Point. This is also the production site for other Kia models – Sorento, K5, and Telluride.
A hybrid version of the Kia Sportage will arrive later on. As for the gasoline versions, they will be at U.S. retailers in the 1st quarter of next year.
More information about other powertrains and the availability of other variants will follow.
Source: Kia
