More than seven million units sold worldwide and the title of the UK’s best-selling SUV – the Kia Sportage has nothing left to prove. Yet Kia hasn’t sat still: the updated fifth generation brings a bolder face, a tidier cabin, a head-up display and a full menu of electrified powertrains. It’s built in Žilina, Slovakia, with European deliveries starting in the third quarter of 2025.

Design: sharper and more muscular

Kia sticks with its ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy – smooth surfaces combined with rugged, almost off-road forms. Up front is a new take on the ‘tiger nose’ with Star Map LED lighting, and wheels range from 17 to 19 inches. The GT-Line adds sportier touches and seats trimmed in Dinamica microfibre containing 73-75% recycled polyester.

The dimensions show the Sportage is one of the larger cars in the compact class: 4,540 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, 1,645 mm tall, with a 2,680 mm wheelbase. Kia says rear legroom exceeds one metre.

Kia Sportage HEV Pure (Fusion White) and Sportage GT-Line S (Magma Red) — Photo: Kia

Powertrains: from petrol to plug-in

The base engine is a 1.6-litre turbocharged T-GDi with 150 PS (110 kW), offered with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT and front-wheel drive. Germany also gets a 180 PS (132 kW) version and a 1.6-litre mild-hybrid diesel with 136 PS (100 kW).

The electrified versions are the most interesting. The hybrid (HEV) produces a combined 176 kW (239 PS), uses a six-speed automatic and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) makes 212 kW (288 PS) according to Kia Germany, while UK data quotes up to 44 miles (around 70 km) of electric range for the front-drive version and 40 miles (around 64 km) for AWD. In the UK the PHEV does 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds.

Tech and practicality

The cockpit is built around two curved 12.3-inch displays for instruments and infotainment, now joined by a 10-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, Kia Connect supports over-the-air updates, and there’s a 360-degree camera and Digital Key 2.0. UK cars also list an AI assistant powered by ChatGPT.

Boot space is 562 litres for the petrol and 587 litres for the hybrid, rising to 1,751 and 1,776 litres respectively with the seats folded. Standard autonomous emergency braking detects pedestrians, cyclists and cars, while Highway Driving Assist 2 takes some of the strain on the motorway.

Price and who it’s for

In Germany the Sportage starts at €33,990 for the petrol version, with the hybrid from €38,990 and the plug-in hybrid from €43,100. In the UK, prices start at £30,885. That’s aggressive positioning against the Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson. The Sportage is for families who want a big, well-equipped SUV with a choice of petrol, hybrid and plug-in power – without paying a premium-badge surcharge.

Body: compact SUV, 5 seats
Length / wheelbase: 4,540 mm / 2,680 mm
1.6 T-GDi: 110 kW (150 PS) or 132 kW (180 PS)
Hybrid: 176 kW (239 PS), FWD or AWD
Plug-in hybrid: 212 kW (288 PS), up to ~70 km electric range
Boot: 562-587 l / up to 1,776 l
Screens: 2 x 12.3-inch + 10-inch HUD
Price (Germany): from €33,990

Sources: Kia UK Press: Kia unveils new Sportage (2025), Kia UK Press: New Kia Sportage pricing and specifications, Kia UK Press: Sportage, Kia Deutschland: Sportage, Kia UK: Sportage specification

Photos: Kia (Kia UK Press Office)