The Kia Sportage is one of the car models that made the Korean manufacturer, which is part of Hyundai, famous in Europe.

Since 1993, Kia has sold an impressive 750,000 units of the Sportage on the Old Continent.

The fifth generation of the SUV will arrive at the end of January.

It starts at prices of 27,790 euros, a plug-in version will be submitted a little later, a purely electric version has to be dispensed with, but not a diesel. Gasoline engines are already there, as are many new assistance systems. The dimensions of the fifth Sportage change little compared to its predecessor, it remains compact with a length of 4.51 meters, it is 1.86 meters wide and 1.64 meters high. The mighty grille and the boomerang-shaped daytime running lights are supposed to make an impression. The rear is also very distinctive, the entire appearance now looks more muscular. A wheelbase of 2.86 meters ensures good space in the interior, the car feels airy and large.

As a five-seater, the load volume in the 1.6-ton Kia is just under 600 liters; it can be expanded to up to 1780 liters by folding down the rear seats. In the interior, the curved panorama display with two 12.3-inch screens, familiar from the electric EV6, immediately catches the eye. The cockpit is clearly laid out and can be operated intuitively. The materials used make a high-quality impression.

For propulsion there is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with and without 48-volt technology (mild hybrid) with 150 or 180 hp in the basic model. A 1.6-liter turbodiesel with 136 hp completes the trio of engines. The petrol and diesel can be combined with a dual clutch transmission with seven gears, alternatively a six-speed manual transmission is available. While the basic model is a front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive can be ordered for the more powerful. The standard consumption values ​​of the petrol engines are given as 5.7 to 6.3 liters of super, the diesel consumes an average of 4.2 to 4.6 liters.

On the first test drives, the turbodiesel, which is also a mild hybrid, showed no weaknesses as a GT-Line with all-wheel drive. The maximum torque is a fine 320 Newton meters at 2000 revolutions per minute. The automated DSG gearbox shifts precisely. We could not check the specified top speed of 180 km / h due to a lack of opportunity. The engine doesn't run inaudibly, but it is nice and quiet and cultivated. Thanks to the electronic dampers standard in the GT-Line, the chassis cushions comfortably even on uneven roads. However, we stayed miles away from the standard consumption, the on-board computer reported 6.9 liters. As a GT line, the diesel costs 46,440 euros.

The Kia is offered in the equipment versions Edition 7, Vision, Spirit and GT-Line.

When it comes to driving and safety assistants, the Sportage has made significant gains - depending on the equipment or optional.

Among other things, a blind spot assistant with monitor display, a navigation-based cruise control, a 360-degree camera, a motorway assistant and much more are available.

A head-up display is missing, however.

Kia expects that a good 30 percent of buyers in Germany will opt for the plug-in and 20 percent for the diesel.

The gasoline engines should make up half of the demand.

The basic diesel costs 30,440 euros, the plug-in, which will be presented separately, should cost 44,390 euros.