Here’s our very first look at the next Kia Sportage that should arrive sometime in 2016. The two prototype models spied at the Hyundai-Kia Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, were wearing a production body, albeit hidden behind black cladding.
The fourth generation of Kia’s compact SUV won’t deviate from the successful formula of the current model that has proven a success for the Korean brand retaining a similar shape on the outside.
There will be changes, of course, with the front end gaining a different ‘Tiger Nose’ grille positioned much lower with new wrap-around headlamps (the fascia may end up bearing a strong resemblance to Kia’s China-only KX3), while at the back, we can see a new set of LED tail lamps peeking through the camouflage.
Our spies couldn’t get close enough for an interior scoop, so the cabin design remains a mystery, for now. Still, expect Kia to give the new Sportage all the latest tech- and comfort gadgets.
The new Sportage, which is currently being co-developed with the related 2016 Hyundai ix35 / Tucson, will once again offer a choice of direct injection gasoline and diesel engines, the former probably outside the US, hooked up to either a six-speed manual or the Korean group’s new 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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