The fourth-gen Sportage has been around since 2015 and was facelifted for the 2020MY as part of the (customary) mid-life cycle revamp.
Changes include a few exterior revisions and a few updates inside, like the redesigned steering wheel, new 8-inch infotainment system with smartphone integration and optional wireless charging pad.
Unless you’re familiar with Kia’s range, though, you might find the engine lineup a bit confusing. There are a few units on offer in Europe, including the new 2.0-liter diesel mild-hybrid, available for the ‘4’, GT-Line and GT-Line S grades, which is the one reviewed by CarBuyer.
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It’s not the most refined lump, and neither is the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but it does feel quite punchy. The Sportage also strikes a good balance between handling, ride and refinement, and has a decent claimed fuel consumption of 48 mpg UK (5.9 l/100 km / 40 mpg US).
What else should potential buyers know about it? Well, it is well equipped, especially in the top-of-the-line GT-Line S guise tested here, has plenty of leg- and headroom at the back and a good-sized boot, although the positioning of the lithium-ion battery in this model does eat into the cargo area.
Most versions of the Sportage are offered with front-wheel drive, yet all-wheel drive is also available with the 1.6-liter CRDi DCT in the ‘4’ and GT-Line, and the 1.6-liter T-GDI DCT in the GT-Line S grade.
Speaking of trim levels, the range starts with the ‘1’ and ‘2’. The naming scheme skips ‘3’, replacing it with Edition 25, which is followed by the ‘4’, GT-Line and GT-Line S.
Pricing ranges between £20,670 and £35,020 ($26,274/$44,515-€23,458-€39,692) in the UK. One of its main rivals, the latest Peugeot 3008, is priced from £28,780 ($36,583/€32,619), whereas the range-topping 3008 GT has an MSRP of £37,050 ($47,095/€41,993).