Promising figures for 2016 Kia Sportage

Good news if you were put off the old Kia Sportage by its CO2 emissions – figures for the new version due out this year show several company car-friendly options.

Unsurprisingly it’s the diesel line-up that emits the lowest CO2, with the two-wheel drive 1.7-litre unit the real BIK rate hero.

This unit promises 119g/km of CO2 and a combined fuel economy of 61mpg (with a manual gearbox and start/stop system fitted) meaning it’ll slot into a 23 percent BIK tax band for the 2016/17 tax year. It develops 113bhp and is good for a 11.5 second 0-62mph time.

If you want efficiency and all-wheel drive then the 2-litre diesel is the place to look, it comes in two different tunes offering 134bhp and 182bhp.

The lower-powered version is rated at 139g/km (slotting into a 27 percent tax band for the 2016/17 tax year) and achieved 54mpg combined during its official tests (in manual mode).

Upgrade to the higher output, which is all-wheel drive only, and it’ll emit 154g/km (30 percent BIK for 2016/17) and claims 48mpg combined in manual configuration and 166g/km (33 percent BIK for 2016/17) and 45mpg with an automatic box.

As well as the diesels mentioned above, there is a standard 1.6-litre petrol producing 131bhp, plus there’s a new 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol unit fitted exclusively to the new GT Line trim, making 175bhp and available with Kia’s new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Kia Sportage refreshed inside and out

A more aerodynamic body promises to make the new Kia Sportage even more efficient than the outgoing car, it’s also grown in length and offers more interior and boot space than before (503 litres as opposed to the last car’s 465), making it an even more practical choice for the fleet driver.

Thanks to an additional 30mm added between the axles, front and rear passengers benefit from more head and legroom.

Changes to the suspension means the Sportage should ride and handle better than the old car too, with less understeer and better damping over poor road surfaces.

New technology and safety equipment

The Sportage can be specified with a seven- or eight-inch touchscreen, which takes care of infotainment, satellite navigation and the option of DAB digital radio.

Free for seven years after purchase are Kia’s Connected Services, powered by TomTom, giving a range of up-to-date information, including live traffic updates, speed camera locations and alerts and weather forecasts.

The bodyshell is strong thanks to ultra-high tensile steel, plus you get a range of active and autonomous hazard avoidance technology.

This includes Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Stability Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking , Lane Departure Warning System, Lane Keeping Assist System, High Beam Assist, Speed Limit Information Function, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The new Kia Sportage will be on sale later this year. Pricing will follow soon.

To read our full review of the current Kia Sportage click here