Stunning rear design for Kia’s new Sportage

Kia Sportage’s Facelift
Dull-looking rear design
Expectations are rising through drastic changes

While interest in the Kia Sportage, which is about to be launched as a facelift version, is rapidly increasing, a test vehicle was recently spotted on the road. Kia’s latest design elements are expected to be reflected, so expectations for what it will look like were high.

Recently, New York Mammoth, a YouTube channel rendering new vehicles for the South Korean market, became a hot topic by revealing a predicted front view of the Sportage based on spy shots, followed by a projected side view. Let’s take a look at the Sportage’s realistic design.

Tail lamp with emphasized vertical shape
It extends thinly to the side

The change in the tail lamp was most noticeable in the spy shots captured earlier. It is known to have a similar shape to Sorento’s tail lamp. The side of the tail lamp revealed through a spy shot has a ㄱ shaped vertical design that emphasizes Kia’s star map signature lighting design.

In predictive rendering, the triangular tail lamp graphic bent to the center was modified to be closer to vertical to reflect this. In the case of the side of the tail lamp, it extends thinly in line with the voluminous rear fender line. In the case of the lower side, a major change was made as there were many complaints about the existing black high-gloss design.

Black High-Gloss Area Reduced
Design Elements Evenly Distributed

Lowering the area of the black high-gloss to the bottom of the bumper has made it sleeker than the existing, dull look. The line across the tailgate is more prominent, creating the impression of evenly distributing design elements concentrated at the bottom. In the case of the bottom of the rear, chrome garnish was applied to connect the muffler tip and diffuser, and it was applied thinner than before, creating a sophisticated feel. The reflector’s position was changed from the bottom of the existing chrome garnish to the top.

There were also several changes to the front part that were revealed earlier. Similar to the rear part change, the triangular headlamp box was modified to be closer to a vertical shape. The ㄱ shaped star map signature lighting is applied, and the design detail that bends once while falling vertically is impressive. In the case of the front fender, it boldly digs into the inside of the DRL following the curved design.

Scheduled to be released in South Korea later this year

Sportage’s facelift model is scheduled to be launched in South Korea at the end of this year. Regarding the powertrain, the same as the existing model, 1.6 gasoline turbo, 2.0 diesel, and 1.6 gasoline turbo hybrid are provided options. However, it is expected to increase product value by adding various latest convenient functions, including ccNC, a new infotainment system developed by Hyundai Motor Group.