KUALA LUMPUR: Kia distributor Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd today launched the new mid-size Sportage sports utility vehicle (SUV) at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS).
It is open for booking now and deliveries of the locally assembled model will start in 2025. A facelifted version was launched in South Korea last month but it's not available outside its home market yet.
Now in its fifth generation, the pre-facelift C-segment Sportage we are getting is available in four variants.
The base variant is the 2WD one with a 2.0-litre (1,999cc) naturally aspirated multipoint injection block that will retailed for RM147,219 (on-the-road without insurance).
Moving up the range is the 2.0L 2WD High variant (RM157,219) and the 1.6-litre (1,598cc) 2WD turbocharged direct-injected powerplant for the 1.6T High (RM176,899).
Finally, the 1.6T AWD High goes for RM186,899.
All variants are offered in a choice of four colours: Astra Blue, Meteor Ray, Jet Black and Snowflake White Pearl.
The 2.0-litre Smartstream mill outputs 154hp at 6,200rpm and 192Nm of torque at 4,500rpm and is managed by a six-speed automatic transmission.
The more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is mated to a fast-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (with e-shift) which manages 177hp at 5,500rpm and 265Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,500rpm.
The Sportage uses a 54-litre fuel tank.
Standard wheels are 17-inch with 235/65 series tyres; the 1.6-litre variants get larger 18-inch wheels with 235/60 series tyres.
The 2.0-litre versions are equipped with LED automatic headlights, daytime running lights and rear light clusters. LED projector headlamps are used instead for the 1.6-litre turbocharged variants.
Also included are automatic wipers, keyless-entry with push-start button, auto-folding external mirrors with integrated turn signals, sharkfin antenna and a rear spoiler.
The cabin has a 4.2-inch LCD instrument cluster in the 2.0L variants, which is expanded to a 12.3-inch full-digital type for the 1.6T variants.
The 2.0 High variant comes with multi-function steering wheel wrapped in leather; only the 1.6T variants get paddle shifters.
Faux leather replaces fabric upholstery from the 2.0 High variants up. Similarly, the 8-inch touchscreen with a standard reverse camera in the base variant is replaced by a 12.3-inch display and the camera is upgraded to a 360-degree view system.
All variants come with six airbags, anti-lock braking system electronic stability control, hill-start control, auto-hold function, auto-door lock and safe-exit warning, among other notable safety features.
The 2.0 High variant and above will get advanced driver assistance systems with the range-topping 1.6T AWD variant getting the full list which includes high beam assist, blind-spot view monitoring system with collision warning and assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist and adaptive cruise control.
