Kia Sportage’s Major Makeover: What to Expect this August

Ahead of the August facelift, the anticipated design of the Sportage
It resembles the front design of the Sorento

Kia’s compact SUV Sportage is heading towards a facelift this August. Significant design changes are expected, including applying Kia’s latest design elements and a family look. Consumers are showing great interest in the changes in the Sportage, which has been consistently popular among domestic compact SUVs.

Prototypes being test-driven ahead of the facelift have been spotted several times, confirming some changing design elements. Of course, not all designs could be confirmed as they were hidden behind a camouflage, except for some of the exposed lamps.

Application of Star Map Signature DRL
Emphasis on the square front grill

A realistic anticipated design based on the recently spotted prototype was revealed, allowing for speculation about the design elements hidden behind the camouflage. The anticipated design of the new Sportage features a bold front grill and a front design that resembles the Sorento. The most noticeable part is the application of Kia’s Star Map Signature Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The DRL, which consists of a single vertical and horizontal line, is arranged with a slight gap and is not connected.

In particular, the vertically emphasized DRL creates an aggressive look with the line breaking three times. Between the DRL, 3 lines of LED have been applied. It appears to use the direction indicator element at the top of the traditional diamond-shaped headlamp box. The grill has a bold design and is emphasized in a more square shape than before. The grill is arranged with a gap from the headlamp.

Focus on rear details
G-shaped tail lamp

Although the designer did not create the rear, another anticipated design was examined. The rear also applies the Star Map Signature, with a G-shaped graphic to the tail lamp. It seems to balance by reducing the black high-gloss area, which received much criticism before. The rear is expected to undergo less change than the front, focusing on detailed design changes.

The revealed interior also underwent some layout changes. The display’s bezel, which used to drop diagonally, has been expanded into a square. As the boomerang-shaped air vent had a matching display shape, it was moved to the far right. A display for air conditioning operation is installed between the display and the cluster.

The newly changed Sportage design

In addition, the latest UI/UX based on ccNC is expected to be applied, and the latest specifications, such as wireless software updates and fingerprint authentication systems, will be introduced. Since it’s a facelift, the powertrain remains the same. It is expected to continue with 1.6 gasoline turbo, 2.0 diesel, and 1.6 gasoline turbo hybrid.