Updated Toyota RAV4 rival breaks cover: 2025 Kia Sportage family SUV revealed in Korea before heading to Australia to fight the Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson

Kia has taken the covers off its updated Sportage mid-size SUV in Korea.

The Sportage is the brand’s best selling model in Australia and is only behind the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander in its class.

Kia hasn’t messed with a winning formula and has made some mild cosmetic tweaks to bring the Sportage into line with its more recent vehicles.

A new black grille is paired with fresh vertical hook-style headlights seen on the EV9.

A redesigned front bumper adds some road presence and toughens up the SUV’s image.

Inside, a freshly shaped steering wheel holds centre stage and the curved dual-screens remain, with one for the multimedia and the other for the driver’s display.

It also features the brand’s latest software that allows for over the air updates.

2025 Kia Sportage.

There is also a head-up display available, which is likely to be on the top of the range variant.

The biggest news is Kia has ditched the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission paired to the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a conventional eight-speed torque converter auto.

The dual-clutch was often glitchy and hesitant at lower speeds and when asked to accelerate off the mark. The new auto should smooth out the drive experience.

The engine line-up remains the same, kicking off with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that makes 115kW and 192Nm in the current version.

2025 Kia Sportage.

Next-up is the 1.6-litre turbo petrol that makes 132kW and 265Nm in the current vehicle.

The hybrid uses the same turbo petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a small battery that makes 169kW and 350Nm combined. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

There is no word on a diesel variant in Korea, but the fuel isn’t as popular there as here so don’t count it out for Australia just yet.

Kia also sells its base versions with a manual transmission, and it is expected to remain.

2025 Kia Sportage.

There is no word on local prices, but expect a modest price rise over the current version that starts at $32,995 (before on-road costs) and $45,950 for the hybrid.

Aussie customers can expect to see the updated Sportage in showrooms in the second quarter of next year.