First drive: Hard cell for Kia

Kia’s Sportage medium SUV received a refresh in July 2018, two and a half years after launching in fourth-generation guise.

 

The South Korean brand only gave a light update to its second-best selling model, with small visual tweaks, extra equipment and some small powertrain changes.

 

Petrol variants remained the same with a 114kW/192Nm 2.0-litre and 135kW/237Nm 2.4-litre unit mated to six-speed automatic transmissions, while the 136kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine upgraded to an eight-speed auto.

 

Ride and handling was also refined with suspension and steering changes.