First introduced at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 2015, the 4th generation Kia Sportage has made its entry into the Philippine automotive scene. Like its predecessor, this latest iteration has earned global distinction by meriting the prestigious 2016 Red Dot Award for Product Design.
Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines unveiled the all-new Kia Sportage in a simple launch event on March 30, 2016, with the following variants: EX 2WD, EX AWD, and the GT Line AWD. These are powered by an R 2.0L in-iine 4 e-VGT CRDi DOHC Euro 4 Diesel engine that improves emissions, fuel efficiency, NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), and response.
The new Kia Sportage is built on a three-pronged design concept: sporty, energetic, and dramatic. This has been translated into straight lines, a muscular stance, and dramatically-chiseled look.
One of the biggest changes is to the face with a wider grille and new headlamps with circular DRLs. Rear LED combination lamps and a horizontal chrome bar are distinguishing marks.
Inside the high-quality new cabin, a driver-oriented dashboard has a lateral design that divides the cockpit into two, clear zones. The ‘display’ zone is focused purely on delivering pertinent information to occupants through the instrument binnacle, infotainment, human-machine interface system in the center of the dashboard. The ‘control zone,’ on the other hand, has functions easily accessible when on the move.
The all-new Sportage’s cabin also boasts of a far greater proportion of soft-touch, first-class materials and the use of cloth, leather, and stitching compared to the older generations.
An enhanced riding experience is achieved by increasing headroom and legroom while improving support, posture, and vibration of seats. This generation of the Sportage expanded its cargo space from 465 liters to 503 liters making it the ideal partner on the road.
New GT Line available
For those looking for an even more dynamic drive, the GT Line offers flair and performance. This trim level features satin chrome moldings on the radiator grille, aero blade, tail gate, side sill, and window surround moldings.
It also sports new “ice-cube” LED fog lamps, aluminum-effect skid plates, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-tip exhaust tailpipes, and metal-effect rear underbody.
Differentiating elements in the interior include D-shaped leather steering wheel, high quality piano black fascia, aluminum alloy pedals, and paddle shifters.
Performance-wise, GT Line models are fitted with unique suspension characteristics specifically tuned to provide sharper handling and firmer rides without sacrificing comfort.
Pricing and Colors
Sticker prices for the new Kia Sportage start at PHP 1,445,000 for the EX 2WD model and PHP 1,595,000 for the EX AWD. The GT Line AWD is priced at PHP 1,795,000. These are offered in fiery red, mercury blue, patina gold, cherry black, sparkling silver, and snow white. Warranty is 5-years or 160,000-km, bumper to bumper, with 24/7 free roadside assistance.
Start your journeys with Sportage
To experience all these, Kia is also launching My Sportage Destination, an online platform for the public to share how they will maximize the all-new Sportage for their favorite road trip destinations!
Visit www.MySportageDestination.com to register and to answer questions about road trips aboard a Sportage. Three winners will get a chance to test-drive the all-new Kia Sportage and to win an amazing getaway for four.
In photo above: Columbian Autocar Corporation president Ginia Domingo and vice president for marketing and sales Dodie Gañac with the new Kia Sportage.