The 2022 Kia Sportage is marketed as the “ultimate urban SUV.”
Kicking off its fifth generation of production, the Sportage was designed with a cutting-edge interior, bold, sophisticated exterior, class-leading head and legroom, and driving technology that makes it one of the safest vehicles in its class.
“Our new Sportage is a true inspiration for the SUV category in every sense,” said Artur Martins, Senior Vice President at Kia Corporation. “Be it the forward-thinking design, stellar interior, next-generation tech, efficient and responsive powertrains, the highest levels in safety systems or the very latest engineering breakthroughs that guarantee a responsive and optimal drive – the all-new Sportage is the ultimate urban SUV.”
My tester was the Hybrid SX Prestige AWD model, which comes with an even longer list of attributes. Equipped with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged hybrid powertrain paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the pair delivers plenty of power and 39 miles per gallon fuel economy down the highway.
Advanced powertrains make the all-new Sportage a highly economical, low-emissions real-world operator but such frugality is paired with smooth and highly responsive power delivery, resulting in an SUV that is energetic, sporty and fun-to-drive.
Sportage seats up to five adults, with a generous cargo area that can be enhanced by lowering the split/fold rear seats flat. Five of us enjoyed the Sportage on a trip to Snoqualmie Casino for a buffet and gambling. There were no complaints from anyone – coming or going.
The exterior of the all-new Sportage establishes new design boundaries and dramatically sets the tone for the next generation family. Tense and crisp lines ripple along the refined body, amplifying dramatic styling tensions. At the same time, clean but muscular surfaces join forces with intricate graphics to give the SUV a dynamic and assertive road presence.
My tester was enhanced with a “Shadow Matte Gray” coat of enamel, 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, roof rails, rear spoiler and rear privacy glass.
The cabin has been carefully crafted to fuse breakthrough tech with luxury features, premium materials and modern style. At the center of the cabin sits a beautifully sculpted, integrated curved display with a slim touchscreen pad and finely detailed air vents. The curved display sweeps across the front of the interior, giving the cockpit dramatic width and depth.
A panoramic sunroof with power shade brightens the space, which also benefits from LED interior lighting, Harman/Kardon premium audio system, navigation system with 12.3-inch glass display, dual automatic climate control, wireless phone charge, front and rear USB ports, heated and cooled front seats, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more.
Terrain Mode debuts in 2022. The feature automatically adjusts the Sportage’s settings so that the vehicle realizes an optimal drive dynamic for any given road condition and environment, including snow, mud and sand. Out of Terrain Mode, the Sportage defaults to Drive Mode, with the driver selecting from Comfort, Eco, Sport or Smart sub-settings.
Kia’s acclaimed in-house developed Advanced Driver Assistance System technology helps the Sportage avoid potential hazards, fully protecting occupants and other road users on every journey.
Highlights include smart cruise control with top and go, surround view monitor, forward collision avoidance assist, driver attention warning, parking distance warning, blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, safe exit warning, downhill brake control and hill-start assist control.
Base Price: $37,360
Price As Driven: $38,155
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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