First shown in Geneva three years ago, the updates consists out of updated front and rear bumpers, restyled headlights with the so-called “ice cube” daytime running LEDs, a new take on the Peter Schreyer developed Tiger Nose grille, tweaked LED taillights and newly designed alloy wheels in 16, 17 and 19-inches. Less extensive is the interior, which comes with a new instrument cluster and steering wheel, as well as upgraded materials.

Model-wise, the Sportage range has been cut from eleven to nine models, with the previous SX and GT-Line trim levels falling away completely, leaving only the Ignite, Ignite Plus, EX and EX Plus with a choice of two petrol engines and a single turbodiesel.

In terms of equipment, the Ignite comes with the aforementioned 16-inch alloys as well as a seven-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB, auto on/off follow-me-home headlights, cruise control, fabric upholstery, a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, rear air-conditioning vents, electric mirrors, a six-speaker sound system, electric mirrors all around, six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, rear parking sensors, Hill Start Assist and Downhill Brake Control.

Moving one up, the Ignite Plus swaps the 16-inch alloys for 17 rollers, and further adds auto folding mirrors, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror and front fog lights, while the EX sports push button start, automatic air-conditioning, keyless entry, a reverse camera together with front parking sensors, leather upholstery, electric front seats, rain sense wipers and Apple CarPlay as well as Voice Recognition.

Capping the range off, the EX Plus gains an inch on the infotainment display and adds satellite navigation to the mix, while the 19-inch alloy are standard. Adding to this is a rear USB port, wireless smartphone charger and a panoramic sunroof. 

The biggest change however is reserved for underneath the bonnet, where Kia has done away with the 1.7 CRDI oil-burner, in addition to the normally aspirated 2.4 GDI and 1.6 T-GDI petrols, as well as the vast majority of all-wheel drive derivatives.

Reserved only for the Ignite, the new base motor displaces 1.6-litres and produces 97kW/161Nm, with drive going to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Top speed is rated at 170km/h with the 0-100km/h sprint taking 12.1 seconds.

The standard engine offered on the Ignite Plus, EX and EX Plus, the familiar 2.0-litre four-pot has been carried over with outputs of 115kW/196Nm, although the former trim level now rates as the sole manual model in the line-up, with the rest being fitted with the six-speed self-shifter as standard. For the six-speed, three pedal model, top speed is a claimed 186km/h with 0-100km/h over in 10.5 seconds, while the auto takes 0.6 second longer and is five kilometres per hour slower.

Headlining the Sportage range, the 2.0 CRDI does without the new 48-volt mild-hybrid system offered in Europe, but features the new eight-speed automatic ‘box to go with its 131kW/400Nm. While front-wheel drive is standard fare on the diesel, the EX variant now rates as the only model to come with all-wheel drive and the EX Plus’s 19-inch wheels.

Regardless of how it puts its power down to the ground, top speed for the diesel is pegged at 201km/h, though the two-wheel drive takes 9.3 seconds to reach 100km/h from standstill, 0.2 seconds faster than the all-wheel drive.

Available in a choice of ten colours; Casa White, Lunar Silver, Deluxe White, Black Pearl, Sparkling Silver, Dark Penta Metal, Copper Stone, Cosmo Blue, Inferno Red and Blue Flame, all Sportages come with a five year/unlimited km warranty and five year/90 000km service plan as standard.

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