Facelifted Kia Sportage due in UK this summer with 236bhp hybrid

The updated Kia Sportage will arrive in UK showrooms this summer, offering a choice of petrol or hybrid power.

One of the UK’s best-selling cars, the crossover has been reworked to bring its styling into line with its newer stablemates, such as the Picanto, Sorento and electric EV3.

The new treatment comprises column-like headlights and a blockier grille up front, plus new lights and a more prominent bumper at the rear.

The changes mean it's now slightly longer than previously (at 4540mm compared with 4515mm), but it remains the same height and width and the wheelbase is unchanged (at 1650mm, 1865mm and 2680mm).

Two powertrain options are available. The entry level comprises a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that sends 148bhp to the front wheels through a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The range-topping hybrid uses the same petrol engine, but here an electric motor is sandwiched between the powerplant and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The set-up combines to send 236bhp through the front wheels, although four-wheel drive (with the same output) can be had too.

The 261bhp plug-in hybrid will not be available initially but is expected to return to the line-up in due course.

Inside the revised Sportage is a new 12.3in curved infotainment touchscreen running an updated version of Kia’s ccNC operating system.

There's also a new two-spoke steering wheel, while the centrally-mounted touch panel (for functions such as the climate control) is retained.

There is seating for five, with the rear row split 40/20/40, and boot space behind that row ranges from 562 litres in the petrol car to 587 litres in the hybrid.