- Spy photographers have snapped the facelifted Kia Sportage undergoing testing in Europe.
- The short-wheelbase version has a new front end with a revised grille and updated lighting units.
- The refreshed crossover could be introduced late this year or early next year.
Kia offers two different versions of the Sportage as there’s a petite crossover for Europe and a larger model for America. They’re both due for a facelift and spies have snapped the European variant undergoing testing in Germany.
Despite wearing bulky cladding, we can see the crossover will have a new front fascia with a wide grille that features horizontal bars. They’re flanked by vertical headlights, which have prominent daytime running lights at the outside edges. We can also get a glimpse of the redesigned bumper, which has new intakes as well as stacked fog lights.
More: Euro-Spec Kia Sportage Debuts With Shorter Wheelbase And Multiple Powertrains
The rest of the design appears to largely carryover, but updated taillights can be seen peeking out from beneath the camouflage. The rear bumper is also new, judging by the slender reflectors.
Spy photographers didn’t get a look inside, but we wouldn’t be surprised to find updated displays and modernized switchgear. The model could also benefit from improved driver assistance systems.
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Powertrain details remain elusive, but the current model offers an assortment of different options. Kicking things off is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with mild hybrid technology. It produces 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and can be connected to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Customers can also opt for a hybrid that has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, an electric motor, and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This setup gives the crossover a combined output of 226 hp (169 kW / 229 PS).
There’s also a plug-in hybrid variant, which echoes the hybrid but has a more powerful motor and a larger 13.8 kWh battery pack. It gives the crossover a combined output of 261 hp (195 kW / 265 PS) as well as an electric-only range of up to 43 miles (69 km).
