KIA Sportage 2020 made its first official debut during the Chicago Automotive Show in 2019. Although the Korean manufacturer has not made much of a change for the 2020 version of the Sportage model, there are, however, some updates that deserve attention – in and outside the car.
Some brand new details have made their way onto the exterior and inside the cabin of the new Sportage. But perhaps, the biggest change in the 2020 model line is the introduction of a brand new trim level (S trim) which aims to gently fill in the gaps between the base and top configuration options that KIA Sportage offers.
In terms of exterior changes, the 2020 edition of Sportage model sports newly designed head and foglights. The front lights bear a striking resemblance to the ones used for KIA’s Stinger model. Front and rear bumpers, front grille and exhaust pipes also have sport updates. The wheels now come in three different sizes (17-, 18- and 19-inch) that can be combined with a variety of designs. The prominent front skid plate, apart from its protection functions, gives the Sportage 2020 SUV a more masculine and aggressive feeling.
And while on the outside, the car is almost identical to the 2019 version, on the inside things are a bit different. The spacious cabin comes with freshly designed seats, that now offer the luxury of leather upholstery, and steering wheel (more responsive and easy to handle than it was before). The cabin vents have also undergone some refreshments and now have become a whole with the rest of the interior.
There’s but one major disadvantage of the otherwise cozy interior. That’s the low positioned rear seat cushion that may be a bit uncomfortable for some passengers. Otherwise, the cabin of Sportage 2020 is packed with a variety of useful functionalities that position the SUV far ahead of its competitors in the segment.
One of the most important features that play a leading role when choosing a vehicle is cargo space. Despite its massive proportions, Sportage cannot boast about its trunk capacity. With rear seats folded, Sportage SUV can house a solid amount of luggage – the amount needed for an average-sized family.
A surprising feature of the 2020 variant of KIA Sportage is the upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch high-resolution display which has become a part of the standard equipment. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thanks to the many mechanical buttons and knobs, Sportage’s infotainment system is easy to navigate and operate.
Depending on the trim level, KIA Sportage 2020 is also offered with a built-in sat-nav, a cluster of digital instruments and even a wireless smartphone charging pad (included in KIA’s inhouse developed UVO system).
Just like any modern car, the 2020 addition to the Sportage family is equipped with a large number of safety systems. Along with the standard safety assistants, Sportage offers new additions to the standard equipment options. Auto Emergency Braking, Smart Power Liftgate, Lane Keeping Assistant, Wireless Charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Remote Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock system (optional), Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa (optional), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Assist (HBA), Smart Cruise Control with Stop&Go (SCC with S&G), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Stability and Traction Control as well as Downhill Brake Control stand out as one of the most important safety features that come with KIA Sportage.
Under the hood, Sportage 2020 offers to chance to choose between a 2.0 turbo and 2.4 l 4-cylinder, inline, naturally aspirated engines. Both powerplants are mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The car itself can be configured as either an AWD or FWD.
A key factor, directly tied up to almost every car purchase, is the warranty. Sportage’s prospective buyers would be relieved to know that KIA offers one of the longest possible warranty periods in the car segment.