Kia Sportage

FIRST DRIVE Verdict on fresh SUVwithmild-hybrid tech

- Alex Ingram

THIS is the 2018 Kia Sportage. It may be hard to tell, but the subtle face lift – a new front bumper with extra shiny bits and a revised rear featuring a full-width light bar – hides some significant changes under the skin.

The Sportage accounts for about 40 per cent of all Kia’s UK sales, so it’s not surprising that the mechanical upgrades show little sign of complacency. As part of a revamped engine line-up, both of the outgoing car’s petrol units benefit from tweaks to help them pass the latest Euro 6 Temp emissions regulations. The old 1.7-litre diesel has been replaced by a cleaner 1.6, too.

Perhaps most interesting is the car we’re driving here: the range-topping 2.0-litre diesel gets a new 48-volt mild-hybrid set-up. It uses a 0.44kWh lithium-ion battery and a starter generator that’s belt-driven off the crankshaft, helping the combustion engine under acceleration, topping itself back up when coasting or braking.