Kia Sportage facelift brings chunky look and upgraded hybrid

New lights and bluff grille are inspired by those on the EV3, EV6 and EV9

One of the UK’s best-selling family cars gets a major update inside and out

The facelifted Kia Sportage has made its public debut at the LA Auto show, following its recent unveiling in its native Kora. 

Its family SUV's styling has been revised to more closely match that of the brand’s electric cars, the EV3, EV6 and EV9, with new column-like headlights and a blockier front grille. At the rear, the Sportage gets new lights and a more prominent bumper.

Inside, a new 12.3in curved infotainment touchscreen runs an updated version of Kia’s ccNC operating system. There is a new two-spoke steering wheel too and an LED mood light that spans the width of the dashboard.

The car has also been fitted with more sound-deadening material around the B-pillars and door cards to improve rolling refinement.

The new Sportage uses the same turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine as the outgoing car, but the mild-hybrid models now get an eight-speed automatic gearbox rather than the current seven-speed dual-clutch unit. 

The full-hybrid model still uses a six-speed gearbox, but its electric motor has an extra 5bhp and it is said to provide smoother acceleration. The motor’s regenerative braking can be adjusted using the gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel and there is also an 'Infant' driving mode that further smooths power delivery to minimise car sickness for children in the back seats.

Both engines put out 177bhp and 195lb ft.

Specifications have yet to be announced for the UK and Kia has so far not clarified whether the 212bhp hybrid or 248bhp plug-in hybrid will remain in the line-up – although it is likely that they will.

Pricing is expected to remain broadly the same when the new Sportage arrives in the UK next year, with the current car kicking off at £29,390.