The 2018 Kia Sportage comes in from an all-new model, fresh from a complete redesign. As one of the cars that made Kia famous worldwide, the Korean carmaker knows they cannot afford to mess up with their compact crossover. So far so good; the results of their hard work show on the road and in the showroom, as the Sportage is currently one of the most popular cars on the streets of Oman.
Exterior
The 2018 Sportage features a more aggressive look this time around. Sharper lines make this ride look sportier than ever before. It is slightly larger in dimensions compared to the previous generation model, which should translate to more room inside (more on this later). Daytime running lights and 17-inch wheels come as standard for 2018.
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Interior
You can see more of the improvements made on the Sportage in the interior. Thanks to its expanded size, two of the major weaknesses of the Sportage (lack of trunk space and lack of rear headroom and legroom) are resolved. Aside from the much-improved seating arrangements, the dashboard is improved both stylistically and functionally. The materials used in the interior are among the best in its class, and standard interior features cover practically all the essentials.
Features
Standard features of the Sportage are numerous and cover most of what today’s drivers need. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40 split folding seats, a 5-inch touchscreen, and a 6-speaker sound system are standard interior features. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, a bunch of airbags in the front, rear, and sides, and a rearview camera.
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Specs
There are 3 engine options available for Kia Sportage models on sale in Oman. The base motor is a 1.6-liter engine that has a maximum output of 130 horsepower. The next engine up is a 2.0-liter engine with a maximum output of 155 horsepower. The top engine for the Sportage is the 2.4-liter unit with a maximum output of 181 horsepower. Front wheel drive comes standard for all Sportage models, with 4-wheel drive as an optional feature for variants equipped with the 2.0 and 2.4-liter engines. The suspension is improved for better off-road performance and improved shock absorption.
Verdict
Many considered the previous generation Kia Sportage one of the best crossovers in the world. The new 2018 Kia Sportage is looking like it’s about to achieve such reputation too. Already popular in Oman, the Sportage is certainly one of the best buys in the new car market today.
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