Right hand drive production of the enormously popular Kia Sportage begins within days and the first editions of the new model will be in Irish dealerships by January. Irish buyers, always keen on the current model, will have a couple of hurdles to jump if they're to be snared by the fourth generation Sportage though.
The first is the styling, which forsakes the current Sportage's clean and simple approach for a much more divisive design, with hints of Porsche Cayenne and Macan and a far bigger, more gaping grille. Will buyers be as keen on this new look?
Even if they are, they'll have to get past the price, which at a basic €27,495, is more expensive than the cheapest Nissan Qashqai, and more than the newly-launched (and mechanically identical) Hyundai Tuscon. In fairness, the Tuscon is currently selling at an artificially low launch price, which will be revised upwards in January, but still...
All models, from the base LX, will come with at least stop/start, 16-inch alloys, LED daytime lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, cruise control, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors. Kia expects the best selling model to be the €29k EX, which adds 17-inch alloys, a seven-inch touch screen with navigation and a reversing camera, half leather trim, lane keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlights.
You'll have the choice of 1.7-litre 115hp diesel or a bigger 2.0-litre 136hp diesel but most, if not all, sales will go to the 1.7-litre. Significantly, it's trimmed its emissions from the outgoing model, down to Band A4 and €200 a year motor tax.
That's in spite of an increase in size, which sees the boot grow to 503 litres, as well as adding more space to the front and rear seats thanks to a wheelbase that's 30mm longer than before. Kia is also claiming that the Sportage is much more refined inside than it used to be, thanks to more sound deadening and new acoustic shielding. There are also some big claims being made for safety (Kia's expecting a five-star NCAP rating) and handling, thanks in part to new steering with a rack-mounted electric motor for the power assistance and upgraded suspension.
James Brooks, Managing Director of Kia Motors Ireland commented: "The Kia Sportage has been a key driver in the growth of the Kia brand in Ireland with over 11,000 very happy customers as brand ambassadors for the car. Competition in this segment is growing but we are confident that the new Sportage will emulate and exceed the success of its predecessors".