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Kia Sportage 2018 Facelift: What Changed on the Fourth Generation
Kia revealed the facelifted fourth-generation Sportage, known internally as QL, on 23 May 2018. European deliveries began in the third quarter of 2018. The update brought new bumpers and lights, a cleaner 1.6 CRDi diesel, a 48-volt mild-hybrid diesel and more driver aids. The car was replaced by the fifth generation in 2021.
Key takeaways
- Fourth generation, not the seventh: the Sportage line began in 1993 and the QL arrived in 2015.
- New 1.6 CRDi "U3" diesel with 85 or 100 kW (115 or 136 PS) replaced the 1.7 CRDi.
- 2.0 CRDi EcoDynamics+ with 48 V mild-hybrid support, cutting CO2 by up to 4% on WLTP.
- Fifth-generation Sportage revealed on 8 June 2021; facelifted again for the 2026 model year.
What Kia changed in 2018
The old 1cars report of November 2018 called the car the seventh generation, which was wrong. The first Sportage appeared in 1993, and the QL shown at Frankfurt in September 2015 was the fourth. The facelift was a mid-life update rather than a new model.
Size at a glance
Hyundai Tucson III
The Kia Sportage NQ5 is 40 mm longer and 16 mm wider than the Hyundai Tucson III.
| Dimensions | Kia Sportage NQ5 | Hyundai Tucson III | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,515 mm177.8 in | 4,475 mm176.2 in | +40 mm+1.6 in |
| Width | 1,865 mm73.4 in | 1,849 mm72.8 in | +16 mm+0.6 in |
| Height | 1,650 mm65.0 in | 1,651 mm65.0 in | −1 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm105.5 in | 2,670 mm105.1 in | +10 mm+0.4 in |
| Boot | 591 L20.9 cu ft | 513 L18.1 cu ft | +78 L+2.8 cu ft |
Nissan Qashqai III
The Kia Sportage NQ5 is 90 mm longer, 30 mm wider and 25 mm taller than the Nissan Qashqai III.
| Dimensions | Kia Sportage NQ5 | Nissan Qashqai III | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,515 mm177.8 in | 4,425 mm174.2 in | +90 mm+3.5 in |
| Width | 1,865 mm73.4 in | 1,835 mm72.2 in | +30 mm+1.2 in |
| Height | 1,650 mm65.0 in | 1,625 mm64.0 in | +25 mm+1.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm105.5 in | 2,665 mm104.9 in | +15 mm+0.6 in |
| Boot | 591 L20.9 cu ft | 504 L17.8 cu ft | +87 L+3.1 cu ft |
Kia Sportage QL
The Kia Sportage NQ5 is 35 mm longer, 10 mm wider and 15 mm taller than the Kia Sportage QL.
| Dimensions | Kia Sportage NQ5 | Kia Sportage QL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,515 mm177.8 in | 4,480 mm176.4 in | +35 mm+1.4 in |
| Width | 1,865 mm73.4 in | 1,855 mm73.0 in | +10 mm+0.4 in |
| Height | 1,650 mm65.0 in | 1,635 mm64.4 in | +15 mm+0.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm105.5 in | 2,670 mm105.1 in | +10 mm+0.4 in |
| Boot | 591 L20.9 cu ft | 503 L17.8 cu ft | +88 L+3.1 cu ft |
Outside, the car gained new front and rear bumpers, reshaped headlights and tail lamps, new 16, 17 and 19-inch wheels and five new paint colours. GT-Line versions got a gloss black grille. Inside there was a new steering wheel, a revised instrument cluster and either a 7-inch touchscreen or a frameless 8-inch unit. Kia added smart cruise control with stop-and-go, Driver Attention Warning and a 360-degree Around View Monitor.
Kia Sportage QL facelift engines
The table shows the main European engines after the update.
| Engine | Power | Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 GDI petrol | 97 kW (132 PS) | 161 Nm | Entry engine |
| 1.6 T-GDI petrol | 130 kW (177 PS) | 265 Nm | Optional 7-speed dual-clutch |
| 1.6 CRDi "U3" diesel | 85 kW (115 PS) | - | Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive |
| 1.6 CRDi "U3" diesel | 100 kW (136 PS) | - | Optional AWD and 7-speed dual-clutch |
| 2.0 CRDi diesel, EcoDynamics+ 48 V | 135 kW (184 PS) | 400 Nm | Mild-hybrid starter-generator |
Kia called the U3 its cleanest diesel so far. All facelifted versions met the WLTP test regime. For a running-cost comparison of the petrol and diesel versions, the fuel cost comparison tool helps.
Why the update mattered for Kia
The Sportage was Kia's most important car in Europe. In 2017 Kia sold about 131,000 there, roughly a quarter of its European volume. Worldwide it overtook the Rio in 2016 to become Kia's best seller, with 515,067 sales that year.
The main rivals were the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Nissan Qashqai and its sister car, the Hyundai Tucson. The mild-hybrid diesel was Kia's answer to tighter CO2 rules. The full fourth-generation story is in Kia Sportage QL.
From QL facelift to fifth generation
| Year | Event | Sales in Europe |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Facelift revealed in May, deliveries from Q3 | 121,197 |
| 2019 | First full year of the facelift; North American update follows in mid-2019 | 110,514 |
| 2020 | Pandemic year | 69,016 |
| 2021 | Fifth generation revealed on 8 June; QL production ends | 85,509 |
| November 2024 | Fifth generation facelifted for the 2026 model year | - |
The fifth generation, covered in Kia Sportage NQ5, added hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The European plug-in uses a 1.6 T-GDI and a 13.8 kWh battery for 195 kW (265 PS) in total.
Status in 2026 and buying advice
In October 2026 a 2019–2021 facelifted QL is a popular used choice. The 1.6 T-GDI suits buyers who want performance, while the 1.6 CRDi suits high-mileage drivers. The 48 V diesel was built for the lowest CO2 in the range. Check the dual-clutch gearbox for smooth shifts on test drives.
The current fifth generation is the better pick for a new car. Compare the Sportage with a rival in the Sportage vs Outlander comparison or browse the Kia catalogue.
FAQ
Which generation is the 2019 Kia Sportage?
It is the fourth generation, code QL, launched in 2015 and facelifted in 2018. The old claim that it was the seventh generation is wrong: Kia has built five Sportage generations since 1993.
What changed in the 2018 Kia Sportage facelift?
New bumpers, headlights and tail lamps, new wheels and colours, a new steering wheel and screens of up to 8 inches. The 1.7 CRDi diesel gave way to a 1.6 CRDi, and a 48-volt mild-hybrid 2.0 diesel was added.
Is the 2019 Kia Sportage a hybrid?
Only the 2.0 CRDi EcoDynamics+ version has a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which helps the diesel and lowers CO2 by up to 4%. Full hybrid and plug-in hybrid Sportages arrived with the fifth generation in 2021.
When was the fourth-generation Sportage replaced?
Kia revealed the fifth-generation Sportage on 8 June 2021, and it reached Europe later that year in a shorter version. The fifth generation was facelifted in November 2024 for the 2026 model year.
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