Insights from Dealer Event of New Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage has been a notable player in the crossover SUV market since its introduction in Pakistan six years ago. Unlike some newer entrants, Sportage saw the complete model life from early adopters till the late majority, people who buy a car only if it has a solid build quality and better resale, with over 41,000 units currently on the roads in Pakistan. This durability and continued popularity reflect its build quality and reliability.
We have gathered the information about the dealer event that happened last week for our audience.
Is Kia Launching a Discontinued Model Again?
The fifth-generation Kia Sportage is available globally in two wheelbase options: Short Wheelbase (2,680 mm) and Long Wheelbase (2,755 mm), with the latter commonly referred to as the Sportage L.
The short wheelbase version was launched in Gulf countries in 2021. However, the model coming to Pakistan is the current generation’s long wheelbase variant, which was recently launched in 2024 in markets such as the UAE, Middle East, Africa, and Malaysia.
The long wheelbase version, which is set to launch in Pakistan, is 6.5 inches longer than the discontinued Sportage in Pakistan. This extended length offers more legroom, improved stability, and greater cargo capacity.
A facelifted model was launched in South Korea in November 2024, so it may take at least a year to reach other markets; until then, this is the current generation.
Key Features Explained to Dealers
The dealers had a closer look at the model’s features and capabilities; some highlights are as follows:
- Exterior Design: The most striking was the boomerang-style LED DRLS, a blackened grille called star-chain grille, and each variant having a different alloy rim.
- Powertrain Options: Available with both petrol and hybrid engines, a new 2.0L Smartstream engine with some improvements compared to the older generation’s Nu 2.0L GDI engine. The HEV model is equipped with a 1.6L Turbocharged GDI Smartstream engine, which is the same as available in the Hyundai Santa Fe.
- Interior Features: Key features include the panoramic dual 12.3-inch curved displays, paddle shifters, Harman Kardon speakers, and a Carmine red interior.
- ADAS Suite: As per the information gathered, the ADAS features in Sportage L are similar to those in Sonata N Line. It includes Forward Collision Assist, Blind-Spot Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keeping, and several others that people couldn’t remember.
Expected Price
During the event, the Sportage L was compared with the Hyundai Santa Fe, as both have the same 1.6T HEV engine, same 6AT transmission systems, same wheelbase length, and same Harman Kardon sound system.
However, Sportage L offers more ADAS features than Santa Fe and is a newer generation model, while Santa Fe has two more seats in the trunk.
Given these similarities in performance and equipment, the comparison at the event gives a hint that the pricing of the new Sportage L could be in a similar range to the Santa Fe – around PKR 14M.
So What?
No price is good or bad; it’s the customer response that defines if the price is good, bad, or just ugly.
A Chinese brand, Haval sells well in the country at a price of Rs 12m, although with the Chinese stigma and infant dealer network, but only due to a newer generation design and ADAS features. At a closer price range, an older generation 7-seat Santa Fe by Hyundai, a Korean giant, could hardly grab customer attention.
Considering the huge fan following of the Sportage along with hybrid, new design, and ADAS suite, it will be interesting to see how customers would respond. Will it be another Santa Fe or another Haval, or will it attract massive customer traffic? What’s your view?