Kia revealed a slightly refreshed 2020 Kia Sportage at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. The new compact crossover is only slightly touched up with new details up front and some cool tech inside. However, closer inspection does suggest that Kia designers reimagined numerous design cues on the crossover that grew into a modern compact crossover. Changes inside aren’t as profound, but still, Kia designer team did a bit of TLC and even offered some new features for the beloved Sportage. On the other hand, we have an all-new 2020 Kia Sportage S next to the LX, EX, and SX models.

The Main Changes Kia Introduced With The 2020 Kia Sportage

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If you pay a bit more, you can actually get full LED headlights. These new units go well with the fine gentler front grille and a tad different lower piece of the front bumper. I am sorry to say, but big changes simply aren’t allowed for any crossover, car or whatever that sells as well as the Sportage. That does not mean that Kia cannot provide some treatment to other pieces. Because, of course, it can and of course it did. The taillights are somewhat neater, as is the rear bumper and the exhaust tip. Go to the options lists and you will find a new wheel design along with a new finish hue called the Steel Gray.

Obviously, the changes are somewhat superficial, but then again, Kia is doing good with this design and I am not even mad at the 2020 Sportage for remaining almost the same as before.

Moving inside it seems like Kia intentionally hid all the changes. More important than that, however, is the addition of the 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard. This one gives you access to:

-* Apple CarPlay

-* Android Auto

-* Wireless smartphone charging plate (optional)

Furthermore, Kia added some key active safety features such as:

-* lane keep assist

-* adaptive cruise control (it works down to a stop)

-* forward collision warning

-* high beam assist

-* driver-attention monitor

-*

I believe that most, if not all, safety features on this list are standard.

The 2020 Kia Sportage Has The Same Drivetrain As Before

The 2020 Kia Sportage continues with the 2WD as standard and an AWD option. The entry-level model comes with a 2.4-liter developing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The better option definitely is an optional 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. As expected, both of them are available with the 2WD and AWD setup with a six-speed automatic.


Engine

2.4-liter GDI

2.0-liter turbo GDI

Horsepower

181 HP

240 HP

Torque

175 LB-FT

260 LB-FT

Transmission

six-speed automatic

six-speed automatic


Conclusion

The new 2020 Kia Sportage got a new trim level called the S. According to Kia, the S stands for sporty and that particular one will have far more sporty-looking touches compared to other models. Obviously, you cannot expect anything dramatically different compared to any other Sportage, but if I am correct, this trim level will sit between the LX and EX variants.

All in all, the 2020 Sportage changes seems to be a good example of what a redesign (a facelift) tends to be these days. There are no dramatic changes whatsoever, but with a sum of small refreshments, the new 2020 Kia Sportage most certainly seems better than ever.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Kia Sportage.