Kia will give the Sportage a chucky visual update, bringing it in line with sibling models such as the Sorento and EV9.
The new look of its best seller, with more than 37,000 UK sales this year so far (more than double the Niro in second), was teased by the car maker’s home arm in Korea.
Those images show a new headlight design that interprets cues from both the new Sorento and the EV9’s Starmap lighting signature. The Sportage also gets new rear lights too. The rest of the design, however, appears to remain relatively unchanged.
Little else has been released about the updated Sportage, but reports suggest it is likely to adopt a tech-focused interior inspired by its electric siblings, such their triple-screen infotainment set-up found in the upcoming EV3.
Underneath, the Sportage is currently offered with a range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid set-ups, which will likely continue with the facelift. However, the car maker may – like others such as rival Vauxhall has done with the updated Mokka – look to slim down its offerings, for example by dropping the entry-level £29,390 Sportage ‘2’ trim from its line-up, and possibly the option of a manual gearbox.
The facelifted model will likely also bring with it an inflated starting price, that would push it past the £30,000 mark. Its top-end £45,775 price for the GT-Line S PHEV, is also bound to increase.
Given the timing of the teaser, it is expected to be revealed at the LA motor show next month, before going on sale in early 2025. Details regarding UK sales have yet to be announced, Kia told Autocar.
