Kia’s number 1 SUV gets even better

Kia’s best-selling Sportage SUV is now even more desirable with upgrades for 2019 giving a refreshed look and more safety equipment as standard. For improved safety, all 2019 models have Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) as standard to help avoid collisions, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning. A new, 8-speed sequential automatic transmission has also been fitted to all diesel models, replacing the 6-speed transmission in the previous diesel variants. “The fourth generation Sportage has been widely acknowledged for its sophisticated style and broad appeal,” says Todd Mcdonald, General Manager of Kia Motors NZ. Styling has been improved with the introduction of the 2019 Sportage, through an enlarged air dam and arrow-shaped side light clusters, along with a newly designed trademark Tiger Nose grille. The GT Line model is even more prominent thanks to new, LED headlights, new X-wing LED daytime running lights and Stinger-style LED indicators. New 19” wheels are found on both the EX and GT Line models with new 17” alloys for the LX. Inside, the 2019 Kia Sportage cabin has received a series of upgrades, including new upholstery designs for the LX, with composite leather for the EX and GT Line models. A new frameless 8” touchscreen for the audio system has been added to the dashboard in the GT Line, with a 7” inch version in the LX and EX models. Gt-line diesel and 2.4 petrol AWD models also get a panoramic sunroof with the upgrade. The popular2.0 litre MPI and 2.4 litre GDI petrol engines remain unchanged and both are matched to the 6-speed automatic transmission with an on-demand All Wheel Drive system fitted to selected EX and GT Line models and front drive system on the other models. For 2019, the Kia Sportage model line-up has been further refined for the New Zealand market, with the Limited model being phased out and a new 2.0 GT Line Urban added to the range. One significant change undertaken for the New Zealand and Australian markets has been the development of specific suspension settings for individual models in the Sportage range. Overall, Kia says that compared with the outgoing model the 2019 Sportage rides better, is more responsive in its steering and has a superior ability to soak up the highway and secondary road undulations, as well as being supremely comfortable in town and city environments. And it’s quieter than its immediate predecessor. The new 2019 Kia Sportage is now on sale in New Zealand from$35,990 plus on-road costs and, like all new Kia passenger vehicles, it comes with a 5-year / 100,000km warranty package, including 24-hour roadside assistance.