Tag Archives: Sportage

News

2026 Kia Sportage Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Amid Tougher Crash Standards

The 2026 Kia Sportage isn’t just a looker in the crowded compact SUV segment—it’s now officially one of the safest, too. Kia announced that its latest Sportage has earned the coveted 2025 Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the organization’s highest possible honor. The award applies to models built after May 2025 and comes amid a new round of tougher testing protocols that have raised the bar for safety across the board.

To snag a TSP+ badge, a vehicle has to ace all major crashworthiness categories, and the Sportage did exactly that. The small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front, and updated side tests all returned the top-tier “Good” rating. Kia’s SUV also passed the IIHS’s latest pedestrian front crash prevention test with “Acceptable” or better performance, while every trim level ships with headlights rated “Acceptable” or “Good.”

Raising the Safety Bar

This year’s IIHS updates were no small tweak—the organization has tightened its criteria for rear occupant protection and expanded how it evaluates crash avoidance and headlight performance. That means earning a TSP+ in 2025 carries more weight than ever. The 2026 Sportage didn’t just clear the bar; it vaulted over it.

Kia credits the Sportage’s strong showing to its high-rigidity body structure, refined crash energy management, and a suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. The compact SUV’s platform already underpins several of Kia’s best performers in global safety tests, and the brand’s ongoing investment in smarter structural design appears to be paying dividends.

TSP vs. TSP+

The IIHS currently hands out two tiers of recognition—Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+). To qualify for the basic TSP, a vehicle needs “Good” ratings in the small overlap and updated side tests and at least “Acceptable” in the updated moderate overlap front test, along with pedestrian crash prevention and adequate headlights. The “Plus” distinction requires the top rating in all major categories and good performance across trim levels.

The 2026 Sportage managed “Good” ratings across the board, giving it the edge over several popular competitors that fell short under the stricter 2025 testing regime.

Safe and Sound

For Kia, this isn’t just a feather in its cap—it’s another proof point in a steady march toward credibility and consistency. With the new Sportage earning IIHS’s highest honor, the brand continues to solidify its position among mainstream automakers delivering premium-level safety and engineering at accessible prices.

And while crash tests aren’t exactly thrilling, knowing the Sportage can take a hit—literally—might make that next highway merge just a little more relaxing.

Source: KIA

News

Kia Doubles Down on Awards: EV3 and Sportage Take Top Honors at 2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards

Kia just added more silverware to its already crowded trophy cabinet. At the 2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards, the Korean brand’s newest EV, the Kia EV3, was named Best Electric Small SUV, while the ever-popular Kia Sportage took home Best Used Hybrid Family SUV.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because these aren’t the first nods this pair has received this year. Back in January, the same duo grabbed wins at the broader 2025 What Car? Awards—with the EV3 crowned Best Small Electric SUV and the Sportage celebrated as Best Family SUV.

Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia UK Limited, summed up the brand’s momentum: “It is a great honor to receive yet more recognition for the EV3 and Sportage from What Car? … What Car?’s great reputation as an independent, influential and respected publication for car buyers gives these awards more meaning.”

EV3: The Electric Small SUV to Beat

The EV3 has been nothing short of a breakout hit. It’s already Kia’s fastest-selling EV of all time and the UK’s retail best-selling EV of 2025. Not bad for a compact SUV that only hit the market this year.

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford praised its refinement: “The EV3 is a relaxing car to drive, because its ride is downright plush, while wind, road and motor noise are kept to a minimum … even the smaller of the two batteries on offer delivers an impressive range, so the EV3 offers excellent value.”

The EV3 isn’t just a category winner—it’s the reigning UK Car of the Year and World Car of the Year. That’s a back-to-back global win for Kia, which snagged the same honors in 2024 with the larger EV9.

Sportage: The Family SUV That Won’t Quit

On the other side of the lineup, the Kia Sportage continues to do what it’s done best for decades: dominate the family SUV space. It remains Kia’s top-selling model worldwide, and in the UK it’s currently the second best-selling vehicle overall.

The fifth-gen Sportage, launched in 2021, brought hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains to the table for the first time. Huntingford highlighted the PHEV version’s everyday appeal: “Like any Sportage, the PHEV version combines impressive ride comfort with a smart, spacious and user-friendly interior. Plus, you get the added bonus of a 43-mile electric range. The fact that your used Sportage will still be covered by the original manufacturer warranty also makes it very appealing.”

For 2025, Kia has given the Sportage a mid-cycle refresh, borrowing some styling cues and tech innovations from its newer EV siblings (EV3, EV6, EV9).

Kia’s Bigger Picture

The EV3’s instant success and the Sportage’s enduring popularity illustrate Kia’s two-pronged strategy: sell cutting-edge EVs while keeping electrified hybrids relevant and competitive in the used market. With a lineup that spans everything from compact crossovers to three-row electric flagships, Kia has firmly positioned itself as one of the most influential brands in the industry.

And with awards piling up, it seems buyers and critics alike are buying what Kia’s selling.

Source: Kia

News

Chery Tiggo 7 Targets Europe’s Family SUV Market with Plug-In Power and Value

The European SUV market is about to welcome a bold new competitor. The Chery Tiggo 7, a compact family SUV from China’s leading vehicle exporter, is preparing for its debut on the continent — and it’s coming in hot. With a sharp focus on value, technology, and electrified efficiency, the Tiggo 7 aims to challenge both mainstream favorites like the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, as well as budget-oriented rivals such as the MG HS and the upcoming Dacia Bigster.

A Strategic Price Point

With a projected starting price of around €29,500 on the British market, the Tiggo 7 positions itself as a value-packed alternative to established names. This aggressive pricing could extend to EU markets, potentially shaking up the status quo in the highly competitive C-SUV segment.

Though Chery might not be a household name in Europe just yet, it’s no stranger to the global stage. The brand has been China’s top vehicle exporter for 22 consecutive years and has already gained traction across Europe through its sub-brands Omoda and Jaecoo. Now, the parent brand steps into the spotlight under its own name.

Dimensions and Drivetrains

Measuring 4.5 meters in length, the Tiggo 7 comfortably slots into the compact SUV category. Two powertrain options will be available:

  • A 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 145 hp.
  • A plug-in hybrid dubbed the “Super Hybrid”, which looks set to be the star of the lineup.

The PHEV system pairs a 1.5-liter turbo engine, electric motor, and an 18.3 kWh battery, delivering an electric-only range of up to 90 km and a combined range of 1,200 km. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is achieved in 8.5 seconds, and CO₂ emissions are a mere 23 g/km — figures that should prove especially attractive to fleet and business buyers.

Charging is practical and quick: the battery can be replenished from 30 to 80% in just 20 minutes via fast charging, or even recharged on the go by the petrol engine. The driver can select from Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes to suit different conditions.

Trim Levels and Features

European buyers will have a choice between two trim levels: Aspire and Summit.

The entry-level Aspire trim already boasts a generous array of standard features, including:

  • Dual 12.3-inch digital displays for infotainment and instrumentation
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • LED headlights
  • 540-degree camera system with underbody view
  • Sony six-speaker audio
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Cooled wireless smartphone charging

Stepping up to the Summit trim enhances the premium feel with extras like:

  • An eight-speaker Sony system
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Hands-free electric tailgate
  • Ground lighting from door mirrors

Warranty and Future Plans

The Tiggo 7 comes with a seven-year/160,000 km warranty, with unlimited mileage for the first three years, and includes roadside assistance. The hybrid battery is separately covered for eight years, ensuring peace of mind for early adopters.

Looking ahead, Chery has confirmed plans to bring a larger, seven-seat SUV — the Tiggo 8 — to Europe as well. It will share the same plug-in hybrid system as the Tiggo 7 and target rivals like the Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento. Pricing for the Tiggo 8 is yet to be announced.

Source: Chery International