The KIA Sportage crossover, once very popular in Ukraine, has lost some of its former popularity with the transition to a new generation. Can the update help it gain its former momentum?

After all, the changes are quite extensive: the KIA Sportage crossover received new headlights with vertically oriented blocks, a wide grille, a modified front bumper, new wheels and body colors. Thanks to these transformations, the KIA Sportage visually resembles more expensive KIA models and the company’s most advanced electric vehicles.

In addition, the engine and transmission combinations have been revised: the most powerful 2-liter turbodiesel engine has disappeared from the range – instead, a 2-liter LPI gas engine is offered in South Korea, and the 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine, although it has not changed its power (180 hp), has changed the robot transmission to a classic 8-speed automatic. In addition, the updated KIA Sportage received improved sound insulation and new shock absorbers and can still offer a choice of front or all-wheel drive.

There are fewer updates inside the KIA Sportage. Thus, the attention is drawn to the new 2-spoke steering wheel, which again reminds us of the company’s electric vehicles. It is also worth noting the change in the location of the central ventilation deflectors, which have now turned into a continuous strip placed under a pair of 12.3-inch displays.

It’s worth noting that the updated KIA Sportage first made its debut for the South Korean market and will only come to the US and Europe later. But we can expect a similar list of changes, both externally and internally.