2014 Kia Sportage | new car sales price

Kia upgrades compact Sportage SUV, adds higher-spec 2WD version.

Kia has rolled out a mid-life upgrade for the popular Sportage SUV, adding increased efficiency and refinement throughout the range, plus a new sub-$30K Premium spec 2WD model to appeal to value-seekers.

The upgrades throughout the range include improvements to the 2.0-litre petrol engine, which retains 122kW of power, but lifts torque from 197Nm to 205Nm. The diesel option remains unchanged, but upgrades to the petrol engine means fuel economy has been improved.  The 2WD manual now consumes 8.2L/100km on a mixed cycle, while the automatic uses 8.4L/100km. Opt for the all-wheel drive model and expect to use 8.6L/100km – down from 8.8L/100km.

Visually, the new model can be identified by its new grille and tail lights, softer touch plastics in the dashboard and door trims, and a new range of alloy wheels. AWD models also gain a shark-fin aerial and an instrument cluster incorporating a 4.2-inch colour screen.

Refinement is also improved through better resistance to noise and vibrations. A new bush-mounted front chassis assembly,new symmetrical drive shafts and new supports for the transmission, reduce vibrations and resonance. A new windscreen has also been designed to reduce wind noise on the highway.

Entry level models get a transmission upgrade to a new 6 speed unit in the manual. New 16 inch alloy wheels including spare wheel, and rear parking sensors and a new front console storage box take the new entry level Sportage Si 2WD manual to $25,990 – a $500 increase over the outgoing model. The automatic model, which now includes trailer stability control, is now $28,190 – a $700 increase from the superseded model.

The new $29,990 Si Premium model tops the 2WD range, and is only available with the 6 speed automatic. It adds 17 inch alloy rims, mirror mounted indicators, roof bars, LED running lights and automatic headlights to the entry level Si model. Inside, part cloth, part leather upholstery, driver's lumbar support and a reversing camera further separate the new model from the Si 2WD automatic.

Buyers wanting extra traction will continue to choose between the AWD SLi and Platinum models, which are available in petrol or diesel, with a 6 speed automatic only. SLi modelsnow gain satellite navigation, a 7 speaker stereo, front parking sensors, and the shark fin antenna and new instrument clusterwith 4.2-inch colour screen. However, a $2800 and $2300 price increase over outgoing petrol and diesel models respectively, take the SLi to $34,990 for the petrol and $37,790 for the diesel, which now includes an ECO driving mode too.

The range topping Platinum builds on the outgoing model's standard equipment and adds new 18 inch rims and driver's electric seat, plus the shark fin aerial and 4.2-inch colour screen. As a result, a price increase of $1800 and $1500 applies, over petrol and diesel outgoing models respectively. This takes the Sportage AWD Platinum to $38,390 for the petrol and $41,390 for the diesel.