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

One of the UK’s best-selling family cars gets a major update inside and out

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.

Kia Sportage facelift – rear quarter static

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.

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With the rear seats folded down, boot space ranges from 1751 litres (in the petrol) to 1776 litres (in the hybrid).

The car has also been fitted with more sound-deadening material around the B-pillars and door cards to improve rolling refinement. This makes it “the most refined Sportage ever”, according to Sjoerd Knipping, chief operating officer of Kia Europe.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but it's expected to broadly align with the current Sportage, which starts at £30,170.

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Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin Autocar
Title: Staff Writer

As part of Autocar’s news desk, Charlie plays a key role in the title’s coverage of new car launches and industry events. He’s also a regular contributor to its social media channels, creating content for Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter.

Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association.

He is the proud owner of a Mk4 Mazda MX-5 but still feels pangs of guilt over selling his first car, a Fiat Panda 100HP.

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FastRenaultFan 4 June 2025
The Dad bought a new one of these this year. This time though ge done the intelligent thing and bought a nearly new one not brand new so avoiding the intiatial massive depreciation. I am glad he did not buy brand new or it would be old already and the pre revamp certainly looks better than this. What are Kia thinking?
289 4 June 2025

Oh dear!

Lost its identity now.....you wouldnt know this from all the Chinese junk flowing into Europe. More stupid wheel design as well.

catnip 6 November 2024

I think the front of the current model is nicer than this one, the grille has become too large, a trend which seems to be returning with the likes of the Qashqai and 3008 etc. I'm not sure about the rear, either, its maybe become more bland?