Update: See the first accurate spy shots of the 2011 Kia Sportage here.
Kia Motors has been working hard to renew it’s successful SUV/crossover line-up. After it has successfully launched it’s all-new Borrego/Mohave SUV, the company is now preparing to bring the new Sorento and Sportage to the market.
Joining our latest round of 2010 Sorento spy shots, that we have seen here last week, are the first spy shots of the 2010 Kia Sportage! Although styling details are being kept closely guarded, these spy shots reveal, the 2010 Sportage will feature sportier and far more distinctive design.
Codenamed SL, the 2010 Kia Sportage will get a new 6-speed automatic transmission and a range of new four-cylinder engines. Powertrain options will include a range topping 2,0L diesel engine, delivering 184 horsepower. Named the R-engine, it was jointly developed with Hyundai Motor Company over the period of 42 months with a cost of 250 million won. It will also debut in the 2010 Hyundai Tucson as well as in other upcoming Kia vehicles.
The engine line-up will also include other engines, but at the moment, there are no further details, except of the rumour that tells the V6 gasoline engine will be nixed and replaced with a more fuel-savy four-cylinder unit. Next generation Kia Sportage is also expected to pick-up a new 6-speed automatic transmission, which has also been developed together with Hyundai. The 6-speed manual will also be available.
So, when will this new Sportage be hitting the streets? We have been told that it will first go on sale in South Korea in February 2010. [Source: bobaedream]
Click image to enlarge!
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November 10th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I honestly hope this is a hoax…. november 2007 face-lift, august 2008 second facelift and MY10 which is mid 2009 a new model? This really is not serious anymore and is really bad for the image of the brand!
November 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Nope, Not a hoax, Have seen the factory photo that was provided to dealers & this is it. The 6 speed auto is new info however, & hopefully true.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Sportage needed a new design. The Facelift is nice but is not enough for the new image they want to put out there. I believe bringing out the new models asap will help. Since Ford, GM, Chrysler are all scrambling to get new models out to try to get thier sales back up. Kia has to react faster to stay competitive in the US. With a Bad Economy there may eventually be a back lash into buying import and to support the US Made vehicles to put more cash back into the US business.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Look at the ealry 2000 era after the stocks fell due to 9-11. The reaction was to buy Domestic to keep our money in the US to boost our own economy with our money.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I dont think its a hoax and I really like this with large doors and taller, more SUV-like wing mirrors. Dual exhaust also looks good and those reverse lights are pretty visible. I cant tell what concept car its based on. KND-4 perhaps… 6 speed tranny is damn right for this vehicle and I hope its true. I hate the wheels!
November 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
bornloser… what are you talking about?! how or why would this be a hoax? & why is having a facelift & a new design bad for Kia? the Sportage hasn’t had a good redo in quite some time! the Optima has gotten redone (nicely) once since the Sportage has. Its the oldest vehicle in the lineup. Anyway I’m excited to see it, the Sportage has always been my favorite small SUV on the road.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
It looks like a little 2010 Sorento. I like it.
November 11th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I think this belongs on hyundai-world.net
Honestly I think you’re looking at a disguised test mule for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson Replacement.
Seriously, take a hard look at the side view of this car. Looks way too much like the profile / side window graphic of the current Tucson, I don’t see this being Kia.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I don’t know what to think. I don’t much care for the rear end, and I hate the wheels. I don’t think that it is based on any concept we have seen. Getting rid of the V6 engine would be a bad idea considering that almost all current Sportage sales are the V6. (I would say 85-90%) Because of the 6 speed transmission, I say bring on the V6! It would be fuel efficient, nice and powerful, and a great marketing strategy. Look at Suzuki’s marketing for their Grand Vitara. One of the biggest selling points is the available V6 engine. Europeans see things like this, “Why buy this big powerful V6 engine, when I can have a nice fuel efficient, well powered 4 cylinder.” I honestly think that is logical and I agree with that. Americans have a negative stereotype against 4 cylinders. The desire for a big powerful engines run in our blood and has since the muscle car age. Americans think,”I could buy this 4 cylinder with better gas mileage. It is nice and powerful, but this one has a V6, and that is more power. I know the fuel efficiency won’t be as good, but, a 4 cylinder would hurt my pride. I’m going for the V6.” Not logical, but truthful.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Yay! Thats awesome that this will get the R engine!!! That oil burner is hot especially with the electronic VGT!
November 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
This one looks different than the 2010 Tucson.
Here are some pics and you can compare it ti Sportage: http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2008/10/12/next-generation-hyundai-tucson-spied-again/
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The Sportage you see here has some similar design elemnets that you can find on Forte sedan. I have noticed it’s rear-door window has a very similar shape as Forte. And the owerall windowline gos upward just like at Forte.
One thing that really doesn’t look like it was from Kia, and more from Hyundai, is the grille. It doesn’t look to be in the shape of H, does it?
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Well, it’s probably still to early to say that, we can’t really see whats hidden under the camouflage. But it’s shape really looks much sportier than with the current mode.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Greg, I am exactly the opposite, when I go car shopping I demand it has a 4-banger. I have owned some cars with 8-cylinders but really prefer the 4-bangers. They can really pick up and move you these days…I was scaring my wife with the pop-up-accelered starts yesterday in Tucson. For sure for sure.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:25 am
seriously, that is not sportage, that is “Ssang Yong C200″ of korea car maker brand
November 12th, 2008 at 3:36 am
no. take a look at the window line. its not the same as C200
November 12th, 2008 at 4:24 am
this isn’t exclusive. you guys got it off bobaedream. also, if you read the korean comments at bobaedream, the commenters are debating whether this is the production ssanyong c200 or kia sportage. it’s not confirmed yet.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
“”seriously, that is not sportage, that is “Ssang Yong C200? of korea car maker brand”"
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Yeah, it could also be the SsangYong. As I said, it’s grille really doesn’t look as it was from Kia. But it seems to be the same size as Tucson we have seen on some spy shots.
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Well, we will see, but if at the end this really turns out to be a Ssangyong C200, then Kia will get another great looking competitor!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I disagree change is always good! I think the front end of my kia Sportage is a little funny looking!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
After studying the C200, Tuscon, and Sportage in camouflage, there is no way that this is either the Ssang Yong, or the Tuscon.
November 15th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
JoshyLofty: two facelifts in two years and a complete new model the third is bad for resale values, and thus bad for the branding… That’s why I hope it will take a bit longer than 2010
November 15th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
we were expecting 2011. but the spyshots coming in this early could mean either [2010 or 11]
March 13th, 2009 at 8:03 am
This is actually the 2010 SsangYong Actyon, not the Kia Sportage.
It has been spotted in Australia being worked on with other SsangYongs… http://www.caradvice.com.au/25621/caradvice-spies-2010-ssangyong-actyon-in-melbourne-australia/
April 27th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
it looks more like the hyundai santa-fe
June 8th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I think its the SsangYong C200
June 9th, 2009 at 8:33 am
yea it is the c200. the sportage is here: http://www.kia-world.net/index.php/2009/06/04/next-generation-kia-sportage-codenamed-sl-it-has-to-be/
June 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
are you sure as all the websites I have seen state that the sportage is not due for replacement until 2012???
November 25th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I don’t understand why they are waiting so long to show the new 2010 Kia Sportage. Who wants to buy a car when the season is 1/4 over? Why hide it? Just put the darn SUV on the market and lets get with it! I’ve been looking for a 2010 for about 4 months now. I think I’ll just buy another 2010 that is already on the market. This is so annoying!
November 28th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Lindooooooooo dee Mais