The current Sportage has regularly been one of the Europe’s best selling compact SUVs. Since its introduction in 2004, more than 125,000 units have been sold to European consumers. To keep it’s sales numbers on the rise, Kia has updated the exterior and interior of its European-made Sportage SUV.
The 2009 brings a host of new changes to the exterior of 2009 Sportage. It receives a more “performance styling look” with new radiator grille, reshaped headlights and sportier bumper in front, while rear bumper and tail-lights also benefit from subtle change. Redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels make up the tweaks outside.
Power continues to come from Kia’s clean and efficient 2,0L diesel engine. The four-cylinder turbodiesel received an upgrade and now packs more horsepower, runs quieter and delivers even lower fuel consumption. The engine now produces 10 extra horsepower for a total of 150, while its previous edition “only” had 140 hp.
The freshened Sportage goes on sale shortly after it makes a European debut at the Paris Auto Show in October.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Actually the petrol versions are already on sale here in Belgium. I get to pick up my pewter beige demo Sportage FL on thursday 29/8!
August 13th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Any updates to the interior? Hopefully they will add a better arm rest again. The 2008 Sportage has one flaw and that is the low arm rest.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Bornloser, Wasn’t it the 28/08/2008. See you there
August 13th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Yup D…
You’re right… Are you on the sales course as well on the 28th.? What concession are you fromby the way?
August 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I have some quality interior images too, 8 actually and will post them tomorrow.
Bornloser: Is Sportage still available with the 2,0L and 2,7L V6 engines?
How does Sportage sell in Belgium? Recently, Kia got some competition from Ford, VW and Renault in compact SUV segment. Wondering if Sportage sales was any lower since these newcomers went on sale?
August 13th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Sigh…. No diesel her in the USA but we are all hopeful! I love the how the front seats recline flat with the head rests off. I hope they never change that.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
now all we need to do is get a more powerful engine in the USDM. They need to modify the 2.4L and just get rid of the V6. 175 HP in the new 2.4 is more than in the current 2.7 in the USDM. This would help keep the cost down and also give the vehicle much better fuel economy since it would be a more powerful engine pulling the same weight.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Agree with you colby! What Sportage needs desperately is the new engine. The new diesel engine is improved and now offers 10 more hp, but I’m more interested what the US model will have under the bonnet. Let’s wait and see…
August 15th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Maybe 3.3 option. That has a 3,500 towing capacity. Some people don’t want as big as Sorento, but want to tow more than 1,000, which Sportage is rated for.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I think the 3.3 will be to big under the hood. They can go the way CRV and the Rav4 have gone, offer a large 4 cyl like a 2.4, and just gear the tranny for towing. There is a lot of power with the new 2.4 and if they were to mod it for the Sportage I think it would tow 2500 and still get 27-28 MPG
August 16th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Towing capacity is more than just a powerfull engine… e.g. You really don’t want a 3.5Tonnes trailer behind a 1.7 Tonnes 2WD Sportage!
August 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
yes, I know that. But gearing the trans and getting more torque out of a more powerful engine would help. I don’t think people buying a Sportage plan on towing 7500 pounds anyways. Just a small boat or a jet ski
August 16th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
The other day I had to sell a reluctant customer a 3.8 Sorento because he tows 4,000+ lbs regularly. He had to buy the EX, which is a couple thousand more expensive. He wanted just an LX, but the 3.3 only tows 3,500 lbs. They should tweak that to haul a little more.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
That is why you really need a diesel Greg
…
Even the 2.5 CRDI LX tows 7500 lbs with an auto trans! There’s no substitute for a good Turbo-Diesel! (LOL)
August 16th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
himi, whatever happened to the interior pix for the new Sportage?
August 17th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Whatever happened to himi?
August 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
To Bornloser:
I’m from BAC – Schoten, off witch concession are you?
August 18th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Novoto-Vanneste Eke-Nazareth…
See you next Thursday!
September 8th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
does any one know how i get the ipod to work with the new dock it doesn’t seen too connect properrly
September 8th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
What Kia do you drive? What country are you in?
September 28th, 2008 at 6:06 am
hey guys i too am having a problem navigating my ipod in my new sportage and it does not give u the visual option to select ur songs by name either, what a nightmare but i love it al the same-she is full of pep and style,not to mention classie!
February 18th, 2009 at 4:19 am
I’ve read everywhere that the new 2009 has the same 140 horse power engine. However, on your site, it says the 2009′s will have 150 horsepower for the 4 cyllinder engine. Which is true??