After just over six months in which 2,000 units of the European hybrid Kia Sportage were sold in Israel, the model is launched in the country following a design and equipment facelift. The model will be sold alongside the larger American version, labeled Sportage Long.
For the first time since the first Sportage arrived in Israel in 2008, the refreshed Sportage will be marketed exclusively with hybrid power. Remaining stock includes 1.6L turbo (140 hp) pre-facelift models, sold new at NIS 170,000, a discount of NIS 15,000 off the list price.
Beyond cosmetic changes, the hybrid Sportage now receives an additional 25 hp, bringing total output to 235 hp. The change comes from the electric motor, while the gasoline engine remains unchanged, a 1.6L turbo with 180 hp. The automatic transmission has 6 speeds. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h was reduced by half a second to 7.9 seconds, and top speed increased by 10 km/h to 196 km/h. Official combined fuel consumption is slightly higher, at 17.5 km/l compared to 17.8 km/l.
With a length of 4.54 meters, width of 1.87 meters, height of 1.65 meters, and a wheelbase of 2.65 meters, the European Sportage is 12 cm shorter than the American version, its wheelbase is 7 cm shorter, and its trunk offers a relatively large capacity of 587 liters, 46 liters less than the Long version.
The driver’s environment now resembles Kia’s electric models, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens for multimedia and the instrument cluster.
The EX model (from NIS 196,000) comes, in addition to the dual screens and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, with electric driver seat adjustment, heated front seats, a rearview camera, climate control with rear seat vents, front seat ventilation, fabric-and-faux-leather upholstery, steering wheel-mounted paddles for controlling regenerative braking, front and rear parking sensors, ambient lighting, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Unlike many cars today, it also includes a spare wheel.
The Premium model (NIS 207,000) upgrades to 19-inch wheels and adds a panoramic roof with electric curtain, electrically adjustable passenger seat, front seat ventilation, electric tailgate, and full faux-leather upholstery. Sportage Long models start at NIS 210,000.
Safety: Seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot vehicle monitoring and prevention of lane departure, door opening warning for occupied lanes, automatic high beams, driver fatigue warning, and child presence alert. The Sportage received 5 out of 5 stars in the 2022 European crash test.