New Kia Sportage Spied with Boxy Design and Hybrid

The next-generation Kia Sportage is an upcoming C-segment sport utility vehicle manufactured by South Korean automaker Kia, officially distributed in Malaysia by Dinamikjaya Motors. Designed with boxier styling and electrified powertrains, it delivers practical family transport suited for Malaysian urban commuters and interstate travel, providing an updated alternative to existing petrol models starting locally from RM147,219.

Key Facts

The next-generation Kia Sportage is being engineered on the shared Hyundai-Kia N3/N4 platform with an overall length expansion of approximately 60 mm over the current model.

What Design and Dimension Changes Are Featured on the New Kia Sportage?

The next-generation Kia Sportage features a substantially boxier silhouette, flatter roofline, and upright profile influenced by electric models like the EV5 and EV9. Disguised prototypes show sharp window angles, separated front lighting clusters with lower rectangular headlamp housings, and an overall body length increase of roughly 60 mm alongside an extended wheelbase.

According to an evaluation by Carscoops, early test prototypes spotted on public roads incorporate heavy black cladding and temporary camouflage wrap. The side profile reveals sharper geometric cuts rather than the sweeping curves of the fifth-generation vehicle, while the production-intent wheel designs remain unrevealed because the black wheels on the prototype serve strictly for engineering road tests.

"Kia’s New Sportage Takes Shape With Dramatic New Design"

Carscoops report on next-generation Sportage testing

Early development mules confirm that the next-generation Kia Sportage adopts sharper design angles, vertical and horizontal LED elements, and a body extended by roughly 60 mm.

Which Petrol, Hybrid, and PHEV Powertrains Are Expected?

The new Kia Sportage is expected to share mechanical components with the next-generation Hyundai Tucson, offering 1.6-litre turbocharged and 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines producing 148 hp (150 PS) to 190 hp (193 PS). Electrified variants comprise a 1.49 kWh hybrid delivering up to 242 hp and a 17.1 kWh plug-in hybrid producing 288 hp.

The standard internal combustion options are anticipated to generate between 191 Nm and 264 Nm of torque depending on the market and engine configuration. For hybrid buyers, the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit pairs with an electric motor and a 1.49 kWh battery pack, outputting either 233 hp (236 PS) or 242 hp (245 PS). The range-topping plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant integrates the same 1.6-litre turbo engine with a larger 17.1 kWh battery pack, achieving a combined potential rating of 288 hp (292 PS) and 350 Nm of torque.

Shared Hyundai-Kia technical architecture gives the new Sportage electrified options ranging from a 1.49 kWh self-charging hybrid to a 17.1 kWh plug-in hybrid delivering up to 288 hp.

How It Compares for Malaysian Users

For Malaysian drivers navigating dense Klang Valley traffic or long stretches of the North-South Expressway, the addition of electrified powertrains offers substantial fuel savings over conventional 2.0-litre petrol engines. The extended wheelbase and 60 mm longer platform provide enhanced cabin room for family road trips, while the boxy roofline maximises boot capacity for urban grocery runs and luggage.

Locally distributed by Dinamikjaya Motors, the current fifth-generation Sportage debuted at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS 2024) on 4 December 2024 across four variants starting from RM147,219. The upcoming generation's anticipated 17.1 kWh PHEV option introduces external plug-in capability, which suits Malaysian landed property owners with standard 240V domestic electrical setups seeking zero-emission urban driving during daily commutes.

With current Malaysian pricing opening at RM147,219 under Dinamikjaya Motors, the upcoming Sportage's expanded platform and hybrid drivetrains directly target competitive C-segment SUV buyers.

Common Questions

When will the next-generation Kia Sportage be officially revealed?

The next-generation Kia Sportage is projected to make its official debut in 2027 as a 2028 model year vehicle, according to automotive reporting by Carscoops following initial prototype testing in October 2026.

What is the starting price of the Kia Sportage in Malaysia?

The fifth-generation Kia Sportage was officially launched in Malaysia by Dinamikjaya Motors on 4 December 2024 across four separate variants, featuring an entry retail price starting from RM147,219.

What battery capacities do the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants use?

The standard hybrid Sportage variant is projected to carry a 1.49 kWh battery delivering up to 242 hp, whereas the plug-in hybrid variant adopts a larger 17.1 kWh battery providing up to 288 hp.

Sources and Methodology

This article synthesises prototype reports and technical data originally published by Careta ("Spyshot: Kia Sportage Baharu Diuji, Bentuk Lebih Bersegi Dan Pilihan Hybrid" by Qalif Latif, 06-10-2026) referencing primary reporting from Carscoops ("Kia’s New Sportage Takes Shape With Dramatic New Design"). Local Malaysian historical pricing and distribution data were sourced from official Dinamikjaya Motors launch records at KLIMS 2024. All technical metrics are preserved directly from published engineering expectations without mathematical aggregation. This article was last updated on 06-10-2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against local distributor launch data from Dinamikjaya Motors.