KIA Motors South Africa has revised its local Sportage model range, adding a total of seven new and or enhanced models to the range.
“Starting at a very competitive R369,995, we launched the all-new Sportage last year with a compact, five-model range spanning four specification grades. It was a compact range at launch, but offered comprehensive specification and value across the board,” says David Sieff, Marketing Director, KIA Motors South Africa.
Taking market trends as well as customer feedback into consideration as part of the brand’s continuous product development strategy, KIA Motors earlier this year added a variety of new models to the range. “Being a brand known for its ‘power to surprise’, we have taken heed of what the market demands and what our loyal fans desire. This approach has seen us expand our Sportage offering in such a way that we tick not only the boxes for award-winning design and award-winning quality, but also the boxes for affordability, value for money and choice,” Sieff adds.
PLUS sizing your Sportage
The first addition to the Sportage line-up sees the entry-level Sportage 2.0 Ignite model – thus far only available with a manual transmission – gain a 6-speed automatic transmission sibling at a marginal premium over the manual derivative.
While an entry-point into the Sportage range, the Ignite model sets the tone for the remainder of the range with its comprehensive list of standard features that include LED daytime running lights, automatic headlight control, rear park distance control, Bluetooth connectivity, and steering wheel-mounted remote controls, to name but a few.
“Many customers value the size, space, practicality and versatility of an SUV, but have no real need or desire for too many bells and whistles,” explains Gary Scott, CEO of KIA Motors South Africa. “The Sportage Ignite ticks those boxes, and now also the ‘convenience’ box thanks to the addition of the automatic derivative,” he adds.
However, customers who value style above utility will be happy about the introduction of the new Sportage Ignite PLUS derivatives. The new Ignite PLUS specification sees the standard Ignite model gain several exterior enhancements, including the addition of front fog lights, as well as a wheel upgrade from 16-inch to 17-inch, while the interior gains an electrochromatic rearview mirror. The Sportage Ignite PLUS is available with KIA’s familiar 114 kW, 192 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine, with a choice between 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Ignite PLUS derivative also marks the debut of a 1.7-litre CRDI engine in the Sportage range as an alternative engine option. The new 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine develops 85 kW of power at 4,000 r/min, and 280 Nm of torque between 1,250 and 2,750 r/min. The Ignite PLUS CRDI will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission.
“Turbodiesel power in a compact SUV remains a popular choice for many customers and we are very excited about the addition of a new turbodiesel engine to the Sportage line-up,” says David Sieff. “It’s powerful but also frugal, and is positioned at a fantastic price point.”
Adding even more EXceptional value
At launch, the Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX was the only mid-spec offering in the range, paired to KIA’s much-loved 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Based on customer feedback in the mid-entry level of the segment, KIA is now expanding the EX model grade with the addition of a 2.0-litre petrol option.
The EX specification grade offers all of the features included in the Ignite grade, but adds significant additions such as an electric parking brake, front park distance control, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, a Smart Key with Start/Stop button, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, and electric folding side mirrors with integrated indicators.
KIA is also bolstering the EX models with the addition of two new EX PLUS derivatives, also with a choice between 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel power, that slot in between the existing EX and the higher-specification SX all-wheel drive models. Taking all of the standard features of the EX models, the new EX PLUS specification adds 19-inch alloy wheels to the exterior, while the interior gains electric front seats, a rear-view camera as well as a 7-inch touchscreen with integrated satellite navigation.
The remainder of the Sportage line-up remains unchanged, with the 2.4 GDI and 2.0 CRDI SX AWD models and 1.6 T-GDI GT Line model rounding off the range.
Range and pricing
“Market analysis shows that the bulk of the action in the highly competitive C-SUV segment takes place in the space where customers are spending between R400,000 and R500,000,” explains Gary Scott. “Three of the new derivatives in the Sportage line-up fall in the bottom half of this price band, with three more under the R400,000 mark. We are confident that even more customers will now have access to the Sportage model line-up, and the KIA brand, with the exceptional value and variety that the expanded model range offers.”
The revised Sportage range:
Sportage 2.0 Ignite 6-speed Manual R 369,995
Sportage 2.0 Ignite PLUS 6-speed Manual R 376,995
Sportage 2.0 Ignite 6-speed Automatic R 382,995
Sportage 2.0 Ignite PLUS 6-speed Automatic R 389,995
Sportage 1.7 Ignite PLUS 6-speed Manual R 406,995
Sportage 2.0 EX 6-speed Automatic R 429,995
Sportage 2.0 EX PLUS 6-speed Automatic R 459,995
Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX 6-speed Automatic R 487,995
Sportage 2.0 CRDI EX PLUS 6-speed Automatic R 517,995
Sportage 2.4 GDI SX AWD 6-speed Automatic R 557,995
Sportage 2.0 CRDI SX AWD 6-speed Automatic R 567,995
Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT Line AWD 7-speed DCT R 599,995
Adding even further value to the KIA Sportage package is KIA’s industry-leading 5-year / Unlimited Kilometre Warranty, as well as a 5-year / 90,000km Service Plan.
