Kia KX5, the Chinese version of the Sportage gets a new look

The Kia Sportage is one of those SUVs found in many places. It could be said to be a classic and it sells quite well in the global market. But China is a case apart, and to succeed in that demanding market it needs special treatment. To begin with, its name in China is different. It is called the Kia KX5, and the differences from the one you see parked outside your house go well beyond that.

The Kia Sportage changes its appearance, and the front end receives a new design to set it apart from the same model in the rest of the world. Chinese tastes are fundamental for the designers at Kia, and they have adapted the front details of the Kia Sportage to what buyers in this country are looking for. This was not done at random; it was carried out together with the company’s partner in China, Dongfeng Yueda Kia, who know what they are talking about.

The changes to the front include a more traditional grille, which departs from the type of grilles Kia uses in other markets and gives it a more classic look. In addition, the Chinese version of the Kia Sportage, the KX5, is equipped with slim headlights, something that seems to be a design trend in the Asian country and one that many local brands are adopting.

At the rear they have also decided to give it a localized touch, but in this case it is not as extreme and the differences are almost imperceptible. It is important to know the tastes of the market where a car will be sold, and certainly the Chinese market has enough differences from the rest of the world to warrant design changes in order to improve its presence in this market.

Changes have also been made to the interior. The instrument panel is completely new and includes a 7-inch digital screen. In addition, the infotainment system features a 10.25-inch screen. The climate control system is operated by touch controls, so there are no physical buttons on the center console.

A turbocharged four-cylinder 1.6-liter TGDI engine produces 177 CV and a maximum torque of 265 Nm, while another 2.0-liter engine offers 162 CV and a maximum torque of 203 Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. They say this variant is also quieter than the Sportage aimed at other markets and is more efficient. The equipment appears, for now, more attractive, with a voice control system powered by AI, 360º cameras and wireless phone charging.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadKIA Sportage18 versions · from 36,190 €