February 3rd 2022
Kia has already revealed the new Sportage for its home market as well as for Europe and now the company has unveiled the 2022 Kia Sportage for North America. Kia’s famous crossover will be available from the first quarter of this year.
The fifth-generation Sportage uses the N3 platform that also underpins the Sorento, featuring many hot-stamped components and highly robust steel for increased tensile might and torsional rigidity firmness. To make the journeys more comfortable, the South Korean automaker has installed extra sound-absorbing stuff and insulation.
Besides, the new 2022 Sportage is bigger than the ongoing model with an increase of 7.1 inches in total length. The wheelbase grows by 3.4 inches (8.64 centimeters).
Engines
While the automaker is still keeping the powertrain information under the wrap, the initial data suggests a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder creating around 187 horsepower (139 kilowatts) mating to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The FWD is standard while the AWD is optional.
Kia also plans to offer a hybrid powertrain, but it didn’t give any details of that. Since Kia has a plug-in-hybrid model in South Korea, it might be the one we will see in the U.S.
Off-Road Trim Levels
Those seeking to take the new Sportage on the beaten path can opt for the X-Line or X-Pro variants, both featuring standard AWD. We can distinguish the X-Line from its satin chrome border for the bumpers as well as shiny black elements for the mirror caps, roof rack, and window surrounds. There is a raised roof rake and the vehicle sports 19-inch wheels.
A step above is the X-Pro with extra off-road proficiency thanks to 17-inch matte black wheels with B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires, LED fog lights, a heated windshield and washer nozzles, and multi-terrain drive modes with normal, sport, smart, and snow settings.
To make the X-Pro more luxurious is the Prestige trim level adding LED projector headlights, ventilated front seats, and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat.
Design
The 2022 Kia Sportage is more pleasing to the eye than its past models. The designers have reduced the size of the tiger-nose grille and added the boomerang-shaped daytime running lights to give the crossover a unique look.
The interior too is more upscale boasting a panoramic curved display incorporating the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Under the centre screen, we find a touchpad to adjust climate and audio controls.
Safety
Kia has improved the safety features to make commutes safer than before. Even the entry-level model comes equipped with forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, reverse parking distance warning, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert.
For added protection, buyers can opt for blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, forward parking distance warning, reverse parking collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2022 Kia Sportage will be accessible in the U.S. in seven variants namely LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. The pricing details will be revealed closer to the launch. For reference, we can tell the 2021 Sportage starts at AED 72,900 here. The 2022 Sportage should hit the UAE markets before summer.
Source and Images: Motor1