Driving The Kia Sportage In 2025
What Is This?
After a hiatus, Kia is looking to reestablish its popular Sportage as a contender in the C-segment SUV market in Malaysia. Now locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah, the 5th-generation Kia Sportage offers a compelling blend of avant-garde design, practical features, and engaging driving dynamics in the hopes of reclaiming a stake in the very popular SUV segment.
Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy is evident in the Sportage’s striking exterior. The front fascia wears an expansive tiger-nose grille that is flanked by boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights to create a sharp, modern aesthetic. The rear meanwhile, features connected tail lights that give the impression of a full-width light bar though there is actually none present. Adding more visual flare to its looks are metallic accents along the window line, black cladding around the wheel arches, and a lower bumper garnish at the rear. Whether you love it, or not, this design is a refreshing departure from the conventional and would appeal to those seeking to have something unique on the road.
For the exterior, the visual differentiation is actually based on the engine choice. The 2 range toppers use the 1.6L turbo engine, while the other 2 have a 2.0L naturally aspirated one. Key differences would be the use of full LED lights in the 1.6L variants while the 2.0L have a combination of LED and bulbs (the 2.0L Mid spec also does without front parking sensors, fog lamps and powered tailgate). Wheel sizes are also different, with the 1.6L getting 18″ while the 2.0L gets 17″ (all come with a temporary spare kept in the boot). Further, the 1.6L comes only kitted out in High spec and with a choice of all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive, with the AWD the only one fitted with roof rails (you can also tell from the 4X badge on its tailgate).
Regardless, built on Kia’s advanced 3rd Generation N3 platform, the new Sportage promises improved driving dynamics, safety, and comfort.
What Is Inside?
The Sportage offers an optimal balance of compactness and spaciousness. With dimensions of 4,660 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,660 mm in height (the 1.6L AWD measures just 5 mm taller), it does not feel intimidating to handle on the road. But its 2,755 mm wheelbase provides for a generous interior, resulting in best-in-class legroom and headroom for passengers. 
Practicality is a key strength with the new Sportage, as it offers ample space for both passengers and cargo. Rear passengers get to enjoy adjustable backrest, with up to 15 different reclining angles for increased comfort on long journeys, and there are clever touches like the integrated large hooks on the front headrests to hang a jacket or shopping bag (the base 2.0L variant goes without this though). The range-topper AWD model stands out further with remote folding rear backrests. The boot is a generous 543 litres of space, expanding to 1,829 litres with the rear seats folded down. And there are also enough USB ports (1x Type A, 3x Type C) to keep every charged and happy (again, except for the base variant which only has 1x Type A and 1x Type C). In the 3 High variants, the USB ports for the rear are conveniently built into the front seat backrests instead of placed down low together with the rear air vents as is typical in many vehicles.
The well-thought-out cockpit prioritises the driver, with a dashboard layout that is clean and modern. At first glance, the most obvious difference between the 1.6L and 2.0L variants is the larger 12.3″ central infotainment touchscreen in the 1.6L, which is seamlessly integrated within a single glass panel with the equally sizable 12.3″ digital instrument cluster. The 2.0L gets a smaller, but no less user-friendly, 8″ touchscreen and a 4.2″ LCD meter display. There is no fancy glass panel to combine the two screens here, just thick black plastic bezel.
However, the 2.0L variants have plenty of tactile physical buttons for dual zone climate control and the infotainment unit, which I appreciate. In place of that for the 1.6L variants, there is another fancy glass touch panel which allows you to switch between digital climate control and infotainment effectively placing multiple functions within the same space; the physical knobs on either side of the panel also allow you to quickly adjust temperature or media functions. Whichever you pick, both infotainment systems support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for media, navigation and phone functions, and more importantly, are within easy reach.
Looking down at the centre console from the driver’s seat, you will notice another difference between the 2 versions. In the more expensive 1.6L turbo variants, you have a dial for the Shift-By-Wire (e-shift) system that controls the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT), while in the 2.0L, it’s a conventional aviation style gear lever to engage the 6-speed automatic. To the left of that however (in both versions), is a cluster of missing buttons which are for steering and seat heating/ventilation functions that have been omitted for Malaysia.
What Makes It Go?
As mentioned, the Kia Sportage offers 2 engine options to cater to different driving preferences and budgets i.e. 2.0L Smartstream producing 154 hp @ 6,200 rpm and 192 Nm of torque @ 4,500 rpm, and the 1.6L Gamma II GDI turbocharged petrol engine providing 177 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 265 Nm @ 4,500 rpm.
Naturally, the Sportage 1.6 High AWD comes with a Differential Lock enabled via the Drive Mode knob on the centre console. And while we got to sample both engine choices on an organised drive, it was just that – a sampling. So there is no way to provide a reliable average fuel consumption reading since there are too many variables i.e. 4 different drivers driving along different roads, terrain and traffic conditions.
How Does It Feel?
The 2.0L engine provided a fairly smooth and comfortable affair, on both the busy city roads as well as the highway. It was only when put against the more powerful 1.6L turbo Sportage that its power seemed lacking. Otherwise, it largely behaved within expectations. It’s only on the steeper uphill climbs of the Karak Expressway that the engine roar became more apparent when the throttle input is increased, but this is an expected outcome when carrying 4 adults and an equal number daypacks/backpacks. The suspension did its job well managing body roll and soaking up road imperfections, though it did feel more on the stiff side. Still, you won’t notice any jolts or rattles unless you’re the very sensitive type. Even wind noise intrusion was surprisingly minimal even at higher speeds on the highway.
With the turbocharged Sportage, things became a little more excitable, particularly in Sport mode. In Normal or Eco mode driving, it still gets going though there is an obvious hesitation, even if brief, between your throttle input and what the dual clutch gearbox should do. Having said that, quick overtaking moves on the highway aren’t an issue. You can also intervene with the paddle shifters if you seek more control. Further, the all-wheel-drive model does provide that extra road holding especially in wet or sandy conditions. But overall, I found myself preferring the driving feel of the 2.0L and 6-speed gearbox combo.
As a rear passenger, there wasn’t a lot to complain about especially when it comes to leg and headroom. Where space is lacking is in the door pockets that fit only the smaller bottles/cans. The centre armrest does have a pair of cup holders, but that’s only useful if no one is seated in the centre. But making up for this is a decent sound system with either 6 speakers, or 8 if you choose the High AWD variant (and it’s a Harman Kardon system to boot) to keep you entertained.
Some notable features include a comprehensive ADAS suite (including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist), adaptive cruise control with stop & go, remote engine start, tyre pressure monitoring system, and a blind spot view monitor that pops up on the digital meter cluster when you signal to change lanes.
What Is There To Like?
At the end of it, the impression of the Kia Sportage was a positive one. A striking exterior design, a comfortable interior with practical features, and competent road handling, help place the Sportage as one of the C-segment SUVs that deserve a closer, and more serious consideration for anyone shopping.
With its retail prices ranging from RM147,219 to RM186,899 (on-the-road without insurance), the Sportage definitely has strong competition in the SUV segment, especially with the number of segment rivals we’re seeing now. But pair that with the Bermaz Auto group’s well-known 5-year (or 100,000 km) warranty and 5-year (or 100,000 km) free service maintenance, it’s also not easy to put a foot wrong with it.
