The Kia Sportage 2.0D GT Line is a compact crossover that competes with the likes of Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi ASX and Subaru XV. Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles offers this model in two variants.

It was during the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) that Kia unveiled their 4th generation Kia Sportage with the first variant being the 2.0 EX and the second being the 2.0D GT Line. They are priced at RM 123,480 and RM 139,888, respectively.

The Kia Sportage 2.0D GT Line stands at a length of 4,480 mm, width of 1,866 mm, height of 1,655 mm, wheelbase of 2,670 mm and weighs 1,499 kg.

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line exudes a front look that is brute-like and masculine looking with its large gloss black grille and large lower air vent. Paired with ice-cube shaped LED fog lights in black trim finish, which is positioned at both ends of the front bumper. This alongside the new chrome trim pieces that run from the fog lamp enclosures towards the number plate holder, really gives the front of the vehicle a solid finish.

The rear of the car exhibits a robust but sleek layout. The reverse lights and rear reflectors are now stacked on top of one another within a reshaped bumper, accompanied by a chrome finished dual exhaust system with a silver diffuser to match. The top of the rear gets a roof edge spoiler that really accentuates a sporty outlook.

The headlamps are in a sharply shaped oval design that comes with full LED units and is paired with four-point LED daytime running lights within them. It also has the auto and adjustable headlamp functions.

The tail lamps are LED type combination lamps. It’s in a slim rectangular shape with a light bar in the middle that connects them. 

It is power adjusted and power folded, with turn-indicator that is finished in a sleek gloss black coating. 

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line is equipped with a set of 19-inch five-multi spoke, two toned alloy rims with 245/45 tyres. 

The dashboard gets an all-black look with silver trims as a finishing detail around the air-conditioning vents and the spokes of the new flat-bottom type steering wheel which is leather wrapped. Overall it has a minimalist inspired style and the cockpit layout is elegantly and logically designed to ensure a better driving experience.

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line gets a 4.2-inch electroluminescent analogue TFT-LCD multi-info instrument cluster.

The seats are upholstered with dual-tone full leather in a sandy-brown color with fairly thick black detailing as an outline on the side bolsters. It also has an 8-way electric power adjustable function with lumbar support and heated seats for both driver and passenger.

Front and rear occupants have no issues with space as the Sportage 2.0D GT Line has generous headroom, leg room and shoulder room.

It has practical little spaces like a center console storage box, medium sized glove box, front seatback pockets and front and rear door storage. 

There are 4 cup holders. 2 in the front centre console and 2 in the rear seat armrest. As for bottle holders, it has 2 and is located at the front door side panels.

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line gets two 12-volt power sockets with one located in the front and one in the rear center console. It also has a wireless charging pad and 3 USB ports, one is located in the front center console and two in the rear center console. 

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line gets 466 litres of boot space and with the 60:40 split folding rear seats and dual level luggage board that offers extra space, more and bigger luggage can be stored without there being any hassle. Apart from that it also has a cargo screen storage compartment with retractable function that can be conveniently stowed away in a partitioned-off space under the floorboard.

The Kia Sportage 2.0D GT Line features Cruise Control, Hill Start Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW), Parking Distance Warning-Forward (PDW-F), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), rear view camera with dynamic guidelines and ABS and EBD with brake assist.

Passive safety includes seat belt reminders with graphical indicator and seat belt pre-tensioners for all seats. As for airbags, the whole cabin is covered with 6 airbags in total, dual front, dual side, driver and passenger, front and side impact beams, door ajar warning, front and rear parking sensors and there is also an ISOFIX child seat attachment points on the outer rear seats.   

Three drive modes available with the Drive Mode Select (DMS) system - Normal, Eco and sport.  

The cruise control system sets and maintains the vehicle at a constant speed and to disengage simply step on the brake or accelerator. With this the driving will be less fatigue and long distance travels will be less of a burden for the driver.  

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line is installed with a wide 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with many features for audio, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation and control system. It also supports Apple Carplay and Android Auto with voice control.

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line is powered by a 2.0-litre, turbocharged R CRDi, 4-Cylinder 16 Valve Diesel Engine which produces 185 hp of power at 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,750 rpm.

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line has an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. 

Power is sent to the front wheels. 

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line can go from 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 201 km/h.

It has a fuel tank capacity of 62-Litres and a fuel consumption of 7.9-litres for every 100 km. 

It has dual-zone electronic climate control system, keyless-entry with push-to-start button, rain sensor wipers, auto defogging function, Park assist front and rear, rear view Camera, automatic light control, welcome and follow-me home light functionality, tilt & telescopic steering wheel adjustment, auto dimming rear-view mirror, remote power operated tailgate, glove box illumination and a wireless charging pad.

There’s a rear air vent located at the centre, behind the front occupant’s arm rest.

The Sportage 2.0D GT Line feels flexible on all kinds of terrains. The overall suspension set-up of the crossover is arranged in a manner to keep it stiffer as well as provide complete stability and grip to the driver. 

It has good sound insulation, with very good NVH aspects, the ride is quiet, more refined and the road noise is mostly muted.