Kia The New Sportage R

It's been three years since Kia's new generation Sportage, now called Sportage R, came out in the South Korean market and judging by the looks of it, I think this is a bit more better looking than its compatriot, the Hyundai Tucson iX. Anyway, while the Hyundai Tucson iX gained a facelift a couple of months ago, seems that the Sportage R is follow suit for its minor change.

Since there's little about the latest "minor change" for The New Sportage R, let's do a 47 second science. Ahem...47 second science. Big science questions answered in bite-sized chunks.

Question...for the 2014 model year, what's new for The New Sportage R? Let's find out what's new for this minor change in less than 47 seconds. Remember, this is a 47-second science experiment to explain what I'm on about with this minor change.

2014 Kia The New Sportage R

2014 Kia The New Sportage R

2014 Kia The New Sportage R interior

2014 Kia The New Sportage R interior

With my 47-second science begins, let's begin. Anyway, for the 2014 model year, The New Sportage R gained a refreshed version of the signature Tiger Nose grille as well as a newly redesigned fog lamps.

At the back, it has this bland-looking LED rear combination lamp which seems to be rather cheap and disapproving. I think I rather look at the pre-facelift model's rear lamps rather than this. On the side view, you can expect an all new 18-inch wheels that stays true to its refreshed look except it isn't a bit too showy most of the time.

On the interior, there are a little changes occurred such as a new instrumental cluster which has two-circles rather than the Abarth-like three meters from the pre-facelift model. What's also new is the "mood lamp" as you can find one in the front cupholders. Then, there's a two-way airconditioner made possible for the rear seats and then, the seats are now ventilated, sure enough to keep those seats cool down. It doesn't sounds more of a change to me but apparently, there's something new to its software.

I'm talking about UVO, Kia's telematics system first applied from last year's K9 flagship sedan. The 2014 Sportage R now has one and with UVO, you can even start the engine or open/close its doors using your smartphone. Theft-deterrent? UVO has a knack for that.

The Sportage R has two engine types available; a CRDi-VGT R2.0 diesel engine developing 184PS of power and a high-performance 2.0L T-GDi engine capable of producing 261PS of power. New for the Sportage R is the Flex Steer system as seen on the present-generation Hyundai i30, which allows the driver to change its handling characteristics to three different modes; ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT.

The new Sportage R from Kia Motors starts at 20,500,000 South Korean Won. For accessory purposes, a TUON interior kit costs 230,000 Won which comes with an LED door scuff plate and sports pedals while the TUON body kit costs 520,000 Won.

47-second science with The Sportage R. Big minor change questions answered in bite-sized chunks...

Photo: Kia Motors.