UPDATE, February 9, 2022: Australia will miss out on Kia’s new Sportage PHEV as the manufacturer’s local outpost says it is still evaluating the electrified SUV.
First revealed in August last year and now on sale in North America, the plug-in hybrid variant of the new-generation Sportage is still without a local berth locked in, sitting in limbo just like its Korean sibling, the Hyundai Tucson PHEV.
A spokesperson for Kia Australia told Wheels the firm is still interested in bringing electrified versions of the Sportage to the local market – either as a conventional hybrid or PHEV – but nothing has yet been set in stone.
“Kia Australia is keen to introduce an electrified variant/s to the Sportage range however, these matters take time and we don’t have a final confirmation either way from HQ,” said the spokesperson.
“Which electrified variants will be included in the Sportage range is still under study.”
Despite the hesitation around its electrified Sportage, Kia is currently pushing to deliver the first examples of its EV6 fully-electric vehicle to customers, having announced pricing for the new model within the last fortnight.
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August 25, 2021: The new Kia Sportage will debut at the upcoming IAA Mobility Show in Munich with its plug-in hybrid variant making its first European appearance.
Unveiled in July, the new Sportage features Kia’s new design language, as well as an updated range of powertrains – headlined by the 1.6-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 66.9kW electric motor it shares with the upcoming Sorento PHEV.
With a 13.8kWh battery pack assisting the internal combustion engine, the PHEV variant can achieve fuel consumption figures of 3L/100km, while the electric motor can run for over 50km on a charge.
UPDATE, September 2 2021: The new Sportage is now in Australia, so check out the latest news and review coverage on our Sportage landing page.
Despite these encouraging figures, Kia Australia has confirmed it is not considering adding the PHEV to its line-up – potentially due to emissions regulations which prevented Hyundai from bringing its new Tucson PHEV to market – telling Wheels it is keen on the mild-hybrid variant, although this too is unconfirmed for a local arrival.
As it stands, the Sportage will launch in Australia later this year with a choice of two engines – a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged AWD petrol unit, making 132kW and 265Nm, as well as a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel which produces 137kW and 417Nm.
The team at Kia Australia has been instrumental in developing a local-only suspension package for the fifth-generation Sportage, conducting R&D in rural New South Wales to adapt the SUV to suit rough roads Down Under.
UPDATE, September 2 2021: The new Sportage is now in Australia, so check out the latest news and review coverage on our Sportage landing page.
Keyword: 2022 Kia Sportage PHEV launches in North America, not for Australia yet