The fifth-generation (NQ5) Kia Sportage is now open for booking and is currently on display at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS). Four variants of the C-segment SUV are offered to customers here, all of which are locally assembled (CKD) at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah.
Keep in mind that we’re getting the NQ5 in pre-facelift form, which was first unveiled back in June 2021. According to Dinamikjaya Motors, the newer facelifted model, which made its debut earlier in November, has been launched exclusively in South Korea for now. Also worth pointing out that neighbouring markets such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia have yet to welcome the NQ5 Sportage.
The line-up for our market consists of two naturally-aspirated and two turbocharged variants, and the estimated pricing (on-the-road without insurance) for each is as follows
- 2.0G 2WD – RM151,219.60
- 2.0G 2WD High – RM161,219.60
- 1.6T 2WD High – RM180,900
- 1.6T AWD High – RM190,900
The ‘2.0G’ variants feature a Smartstream 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine making 154 hp at 6,200 rpm and 192 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The MPI mill drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, with the top speed being 181 km/h.
As for the ‘1.6T’ options, both get a 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine developing 177 hp at 5,500 rpm and 265 Nm from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is paired with the Gamma II powerplant, which gets either front- or all-wheel drive, and enables a top speed of 201 km/h.
In terms of equipment, the base 2.0G 2WD comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels (235/65 profile tyres), automatic LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED and bulb-type combination taillights, bulb-type rear fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, a manual tailgate, four rear parking sensors as well as black and silver exterior trim and bumper finishes.
Inside, there’s an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a 4.2-inch TFT-LCD instrument cluster display, a urethane steering wheel, black dashboard trim, a drive mode selector, dual-zone climate control (with rear vents), manual front seats, a 60:40 split-folding rear bench seat, fabric upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six speakers and a reverse camera.
As for safety, the entry-level option gets six airbags (front, side, curtain), the usual array of passive systems (ABS, ESC, hill start assist), an electronic parking brake (with auto hold), a tyre pressure monitoring system, rear occupant alert, front and rear seatbelt warning and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Driver assistance is limited to just downhill brake control and passive cruise control, with remote engine start being a convenience feature.
Stepping up to the 2.0G 2WD High adds on things like LED front fog lamps, a welcome lamp function, a powered tailgate, four front parking sensors, piano black and satin chrome exterior trim and bumper finishes, a leather steering wheel, piano black dashboard trim, leatherette seat upholstery and an eight-way powered driver’s seat.
More importantly, this variant gets a host of active safety features such as high beam assist, blind-spot collision warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist (with autonomous emergency braking), lane following assist as well as adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
Paying the premium for the first of the turbocharged variants nets you roughly the same kit as the 2.0G 2WD High, with the addition of larger 18-inch alloys (235/60 profile tyres), projector LED headlamps, full-LED taillights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a digital control panel for the climate system, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a blind-spot view monitor (displayed in the instrument cluster).
The range-topper builds upon the 1.6T 2WD High by adding all-wheel drive with a differential lock, roof rails and a Harman Kardon eight-speaker sound system.
Four body colours are offered for the Sportage, namely Astra Blue, Meteor Gray, Jet Black and Snowflake White Pearl. A five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty and free scheduled maintenance package comes standard with every purchase. As an option, buyers can add on V-Zion window tint film for RM2,300.
The Sportage will enter a space that isn’t short of rivals, with the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Proton X70, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro being a few examples. With this pricing, will you pick the Kia SUV over the competition?
GALLERY: 2025 Kia Sportage Malaysia brochure
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