Kia reveals Sportage with a plug

The new Kia Sportage, which is due to arrive in the UK later this year, will come as a plug-in hybrid the Korean carmaker has said.

The Sportage has been one of Kia's most important models in the UK in the last decade, and the new fifth-generation model will come with mild hybrid and full hybrid power. And, for the first time in a Sportage, there will be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version.

The PHEV will use a 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to a 66.9kW electric motor and a 13.8kWh battery pack, giving a pretty punchy 261bhp combined power output. Kia claims the Sportage PHEV can travel around 35 miles in pure electric mode.

A large curved screen dominates the interior

Aside from the new power options, the new Sportage is a radical departure from the outgoing model with a bold new exterior look.

Inside the Sportage has had a similarly dramatic makeover. A curved touchscreen and instrument cluster – both 12.3-inches in sizes – dominate, and Kia promises an uplift in interior quality. Boot space for the PHEV is around 450 litres. 

The Sportage will join the Niro, XCeed and Sorento in Kia's plug-in hybrid range, but there will be no full-electric version. Due to similar dimensions, a pure EV Sportage would tread on the toes of the new EV6 – which we've recently driven here at Electrifying. 

Kia will confirm UK prices and a launch date later this year.

There's a hint of EV6 in the rear styling