The Kia Sportage has become the new winner of the ABC Award for ‘Best Car of the Year 2023’, the industry’s most prestigious award, and is celebrating its 51st anniversary. It is the first time that Kia has won this important award. These results are the result of the sum of the votes awarded by the expert jury consisting of 34 journalists specialized in motorcycle information, ABC’s ‘premium’ subscribers and readers, and ABC readers.
Emilio Herrera, president of Kia Iberia, emphasized that “the new generation of the Kia Sportage has a great acceptance in Spain, with almost 13,000 units sold. The Sportage continues to rise in positions and has become one of the best-selling models in what we already have a year in our country, despite the launch in the month of February”. For his part, for Edward DivarCEO of Kia Iberia “receiving the ABC 2023 Best Car of the Year award is a huge joy for us, it means recognition not only of the quality of our product, but also of the great evolution our brand has made in recent years The Sportage represents this commitment to design, quality, technology and sustainable mobility, as the model has a wide range of efficient engines, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, as well as petrol and diesel. customer”.
It is the continuation of the success of a historic model for Kia in Spain. The Sportage is the brand’s best-selling model in Spain over the past decade and has already more than 160,000 registered units in our country. In addition, it is marketed on our continent, specially designed for the European market and born to become a reference in its segment. It combines an elegant and muscular exterior design with an avant-garde interior, equipped with an integrated curved screen as an interface to the latest developments in connectivity technology.
The fifth part of the Sportage marks a revolution in design, with an avant-garde look that characterizes the new design language of the ‘Opposites United’ brand.
The interior also reveals a fully driver-focused space with bold character, soft textures and the most advanced technological innovations.
At the center of the cabin is the prominent 12.3-inch (31 cm) curved screen and advanced integrated controller, which combine to become a nerve center for both driver and passenger to operate the many functions of connectivity, functionality and usability.
The new Sportage features a range of next-generation hybrid powertrains that significantly reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.
The plug-in hybrid variant (PHEV) offers an emission-free electric range of 70 kilometers, suitable for most daily journeys; and develops 265 hp thanks to the combination of the 1.6 T-GDI engine with an electric drive of 66.9 kW.
The new Kia Sportage also has a 230 hp HEV version, which uses the 1.6 T-GDI engine, albeit this time combined with a 44.2 kW electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-polymer battery.
The Sportage range also offers petrol and diesel versions with MHEV hybridisation technology that reduces emissions and improves fuel economy.
In terms of safety, the new Sportage has won five Euro NCAP stars, with excellent scores.
And it is that the new Sportage is one of the safest SUVs in its class thanks to its new N3 architecture and the range of advanced DriveWise driver assistance systems.
The fifth generation of the Kia Sportage also sets standards with elements such as the new Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS), which ensures superior comfort.
And with a nod to the adventurous nature and off-road capability of the first-generation Kia Sportage, this fifth installment introduces the new Terrain mode, which enhances its ability to conquer the most delicate terrain.
For all these reasons, there is no doubt that it is a deserved winner of such prestigious awards as the ABC Award for ‘Best Car of the Year 2023’.
Source: Marie Claire
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
