Kia brings the Sportage facelift to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Kia launches Sportage facelift in Malaysia at a starting price tag of RM 126,888 (EX-variant), while the top-spec GT-Line model is priced at RM 149,888. It is available in five different colour options - Fiery Red, Iron Grey (EX only), Mercury Blue, Cherry Black (GT-Line only) and Snow White Pearl.

The GT-Line variant features some extra equipment that differentiates it from its base model (EX). The rear trim accents, a dedicated grille, 19-inch alloy wheels (18-inch wheels offered on the EX), LED front fog lamps (“ice cube” shaped) and LED-type rear combination tail lights are available at the top-spec model.

Both the cars get new bumpers on the front and rear. The four-point daytime running lights and LED headlamps are mounted on the front bumper. At other places, the rear reflectors and the reverse lights complete the rear profile.

Coming to the interior, some changes have been made to differentiate it with the outgoing model. The vehicle gets paddle shifters, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a power tailgate, dual-zone climate control consisting rear vents, keyless entry and start and alloy pedals.

The driver’s seat of the EX variant is 8-way power-adjustable, while in the GT-Line has it for the front passenger too. Also, the vehicle comes with a 4.2-inch instrument display, though the lower variant has a smaller 3.5-inch unit.

The Kia Sportage facelift is available in both diesel and petrol guise. The diesel variant derives the power from a 2.0-litre R CRDi engine and is capable of pushing out a maximum of 185 PS power, which comes at 4,000 rpm and up to 400 Nm of torque between 1,750 to 2,750 rpm.

Speaking of the petrol engine, a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Nu MPI belts out up to 155 PS of power at 6,200 rpm along with a peak torque of 192 Nm at 4,000 rpm. An 8-speed automatic transmission for the oil burner and a 6-speed automatic gearbox for the gas engine are offered.