KIA SPORTAGE

ALL THE STYLE, MOST OF THE SUBSTANCE

- JEZ SPINKS

STARING AT THE 2022 Kia Sportage’s exaggerated styling – headlined by striking, boomerangshaped LED daytime running lights – it’s most definitely an understatement to say Kia has come a long way as a brand since the original SUV debuted locally nearly 25 years ago.

Beyond an ever-increasing confidence in its approach to vehicle design, Kia’s Australian sales in 2021 have at times threatened to overtake those of affiliate Hyundai.

The fifth-generation version of its mid-sized SUV now gives it a completely fresh challenger to compete against the latest version of its Hyundai twin, the Tucson, released earlier in 2021, as well as the Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester. The prime target, though, is the category’s runaway sales leader – the Toyota RAV4.

The Sportage is missing a key weapon for now, however, launching without the new hybrid variant that would directly challenge the RAV4’s dominant petrol-electric version.

Expect it sometime in 2022. In the meantime, the Kia now matches the Toyota for size – sharing the Tucson’s new platform to grow about 17cm in length to 4.66 metres. Width and height nudge up slightly and the wheelbase extends by 8.5cm over the old Sportage.

As for pricing, it’s increased by up to $2410, with the entry-level Sportage S starting from $32,445 before on-roads, or $34,690 driveaway. The range spans $20,000, topped by a GT-Line diesel that nudges the RRP of a Sportage model past $50,000 for the first time.