Kia has sold more cars in Europe in 2023 than ever. And it has also set an annual sales record around the world. Likewise, in our market, it has been the second best-selling brand for the second consecutive year. Currently, in the automotive industry, especially in Europe, things have to be done very well for results to follow. And we have examples of the complete opposite. This is not the case of Kia, which has been able to create a modern, well-designed range of automobiles taking into account the tastes of a tremendously demanding European public. And the Sportage is an excellent example of what the Korean brand represents today.
On the other hand, at Kia they are very clear that it is not just about selling cars, but about becoming a provider of sustainable and connected mobility services in which the electric vehicle is one of the many factors involved. The short-term future strategy focuses on mobility, electrification, connectivity and autonomous vehicles. Kia already offers drivers mobility services through Wible Drive, connectivity services with applications such as Kia Connect Store and charging services for electric vehicles with Kia Charge.
With the full range of engines and electrification as a goal, the Kia Sportage is the brand's sales leader in Spain. It's not a coincidence either. Thus, the fifth generation Sportage has very appropriate dimensions to become a family car. It is large and suitable for everyday use and, naturally, for weekend or vacation trips.
It has a length of 4.51 meters and a trunk capacity of 587 liters, usable and easy to access. The habitability is remarkable, both in the front and rear seats. Even tall people, over 1.80 meters, will feel comfortable due to the space available for legs and head.
Kia includes remote folding of the rear seats and a practical double bottom in the trunk to store objects or clothes that we do not need, but that we want to have in the car.
The Sportage is available with six different technologies: petrol, petrol with mild hybridisation MHEV, diesel, diesel with mild hybridisation MHEV, petrol with conventional hybridisation HEV and petrol with plug-in hybridisation PHEV. And it is complemented with 4x2 or 4x4 traction versions, 6-speed manual transmission or 6- or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Certainly, it is difficult not to find a version that suits our needs.
The Sportage HEV, a conventional non-plug-in hybrid with a six-speed dual-clutch DCT automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, is an excellent option for dynamic drivers who want to enjoy the versatility of this SUV at the same time. With the advantages of the DGT ECO label, it has a 4-cylinder gasoline engine, the 1.6 T-GDI with 180 HP. Being a classic hybrid, it includes a 60 HP electric motor, powered by a 1.4 kWh battery. The final result of this combination is a power of 230 HP and a maximum torque of 350 Nm.
The operation of the Sportage HEV is comfortable, simple and very pleasant. In terms of efficiency, like all conventional hybrids, it works very well around the city. This is because the car always starts in 100% electric mode. There is no specific button to force electric driving as in other hybrids. In the city, if we drive gently, in an ecological way, we can travel several kilometers (between 3 and 4) in electric mode. Without consuming gasoline or emitting CO2. Once the battery is depleted, on the road more frequently, the system is capable of self-recharging it quite quickly. It does this regeneratively during braking and through the thermal engine itself.
On the road, the contribution of the electric motor is much less. In fact, on the highway at 120 km/h the electrical contribution is almost zero. In any case, the 230 HP Sportage HEV is efficient, with consumption around 8 liters on a route that combines road and highway. And with the 52-liter tank, the range exceeds 730 km.
The 230 HP of the Sportage HEV goes a long way on long journeys. It is a very solvent car in the dynamic aspect and its features are really good. Accelerate briskly if we want it, especially with the Sport driving mode. And it has a noble and predictable behavior, with a balanced suspension that takes care of the passenger, but does not allow body oscillations. The dual-clutch DCT transmission is a great ally to make it fun to drive. Either in fully automatic mode or sequentially through the steering wheel paddles. And in addition to the Sport mode, we have the ECO mode that is connected by default when you start driving.
The Sportage HEV also incorporates a good number of driving aids, such as the involuntary lane change assistant with cameras that project lateral vision on the control panel. Or the rear traffic alert, the emergency braking assistant with pedestrian and cyclist detection or the adaptive cruise control. And the connectivity is fully up to date, with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay systems or the Kia Connect application to control a multitude of functions from our smartphone.
