Has a completely different look: what changes has the Kia Sportage hybrid received

The compact crossover hybrid Kia Sportage has received a new, bolder design in its native Korea. In addition to changes to the exterior and interior, it has also been fitted with a number of updated powertrains.

According to the British publication Autocar, the Sportage's styling has been revised to be more in line with the brand's EV3, EV6, and EV9 electric vehicles. The new exterior elements include column-shaped headlights and a modified front grille. At the rear, the Sportage has new headlights and a more prominent bumper.

Inside, the car received a new 12.3-inch curved touchscreen infotainment system that runs on an updated version of Kia's CCNC. The car also has a new two-spoke steering wheel and LED lighting that covers the entire width of the dashboard.

The car has also been fitted with more soundproofing material around the middle risers and doors. This gives the feeling of a smoother ride.

The new Sportage uses the same 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine as the outgoing model. But the mild hybrid versions now get an eight-speed automatic transmission instead of the current seven-speed dual-clutch.

The full hybrid model still uses a six-speed gearbox, but its electric motor has an additional 5 hp, and this, according to the manufacturer, provides smoother acceleration. The engine's regenerative braking can be adjusted via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and there's also an Infant driving mode that further smoothes the power delivery to minimize motion sickness for children in the back seats. Both engines deliver 177 hp and 265 Nm.

The updated model is expected to go on sale in the UK next year. The price will start from 29,390 pounds, which is approximately equivalent to 1.5 million UAH.

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