Mid-life restyle and updated tech for Sportage

REVEALED Hybrid powertrains revised, while design cues from EV siblings feature inside and out

- Alastair Crooks

THE refreshed Kia Sportage I was expected to make its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show later this month, but thanks to an early unveiling in Korea, we have been given a sneak peek at the big-selling SUV ahead of time. It showcases a new look for the exterior and interior, new tech and fresh hybrid engines.

The fifth-generation Sportage arrived on the market in 2021 and Kia is now looking to make it even more appealing with this mid-life update. While these pictures show a Korean-market car, we expect the UK model to look almost identical. European versions get a shorter wheelbase more appropriate for our roads, but the platform tech buried within is unchanged.

Design-wise, the Sportage's new headlights represent probably the biggest visual difference. The look apes the 'star map' style we've seen on the Kia EV3, EV5 and even the Picanto city car. The mid-size SUV also gets a new grille and bumper to go with additional foglights.