Kia has given its European Sportage SUV a midlife makeover, complete with a standout new look plus latest connected and convenience technology.

A best-seller for the brand, the updated fifth-generation model launches first with petrol and full hybrid powertrains, followed by the plug-in hybrid at a later date.

The entry-level model features a 150hp 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol in front-wheel-drive form and married up with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The full hybrid uses the same engine but incorporates an electric motor to boost power to 239hp and is paired up to a six-speed automatic transmission. It will be available in front- and all-wheel drive guise.

The plug-in hybrid is due later and expected to output 265hp although specs are yet to be revealed.

The design overhaul draws on Kia’s Opposites United philosophy, giving a more streamlined look that brings the Sportage in line with the brand’s other current models. Latest additions include new front and rear bumpers, with LED Star Map lighting and Kia’s bold tiger nose grille. New wheel designs are available in 17-, 18- and 19-inch sizes, with exclusive 18-inch and 19-inch versions for higher-grade models.

The interior now comes with the brand’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, featuring dual 12.3-inch curved panoramic displays and a new 10-inch head-up display with a multi-mode audio/climate touchpad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus access to Kia Connect and over-the-air updates. The Sportage’s Feature-on-Demand (FOD) platform allows drivers to add arcade games, YouTube, other video streaming services via the WebOS, as well as new display themes to the infotainment system. There’s also a Harman Kardon premium audio system plus a new two-spoke steering wheel design and latest materials.

Up to five devices can be connected to 4G LTE-based internet via the available WiFi hotspot. Other tech highlights include Kia In-Car Payment, Connected Routing to calculate optimal routes using live and predicted traffic based on historical information, plus the Digital Key 2.0, which offers the ability to access the vehicle using smart devices without needing to carry a physical key.

The current-generation Sportage is the first to be offered in a dedicated Europe-only version with a shortened wheelbase and the new edition continues to offer a spacious interior and flexible cargo room, with more than one metre of rear legroom for passengers in the second row. Boot space is up to 587 litres, and a maximum of 1,776 litres with the second-row seats folded. The hybrid is available with a dual-level boot floor too.

Advanced driver assistance systems include standard auto emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and car detection, plus Highway Driving Assist 2.

First models are expected to arrive in Kia showrooms in the third quarter of 2025. Full pricing and specifications for the various European markets will be announced closer to the launch.