10 Jul 2008
2009 Kia Sportage gets minor facelift
The 2009 Kia Sportage will be the recipient of a minor facelift. It is due to be launched soon, unless it is already in local showrooms and we were not told about it. Incidentally, this new version has already been on sale in China for a while now.
Most noticeable, if at all, is the new front end. Engines and options are expected to remain the same as the current Sportage.
We also expect the incredibly-low Dhs 50,000 base price and incredibly-high 5-year warranty to remain.
by Murf, on July 14 2008 @ 4:30 am
incredible price indeed!
dont even get a normal car for that these days..
by Amoon, on July 18 2008 @ 9:05 pm
really incrideble car i like it the shape is so cute & the price is acceptible & good
by Boris(K-sport), on July 31 2008 @ 2:51 pm
This model is already in Kia UAE’s holding yards but not yet for sale in showrooms. This model was launched in S. Korea and China in 2007 as a 2008 model and the rest of the world will get it in 2008 as a 2009 model [by the end of this year]. Here, In UAE, It should launch between August to mid October cuz it was launched in Canada last month. Its also got USB and AUX jacks to connect your MP3s. About the price: HKAG [Hyundai-Kia Auto. Group] have bee forced to raise their car prices from Aug or Sept due to the rise in steel prices. Dont blame them. steel prices are increasing all the time but HKAG still kept the prices down but right now, They have no option. Here’s a quote from an article:
“Kia announced it would raise all car prices for the local market by an average of 2.03 percent and lift prices for overseas markets by an average of 2.5 percent from August, next month.”
by Boris(K-sport), on July 31 2008 @ 2:56 pm
Here is the article:
Continuous rises in steel materials and logistics costs this year, has forced Kia Motors to increase the prices of its new cars. Kia announced it would raise all car prices for the local market by an average of 2.03 percent and lift prices for overseas markets by an average of 2.5 percent from August, next month.
Kia has no other choice but to raise prices as it can not endure recent changes in the business environment. In the first five months, prices of steel plates have increased more than 60 percent, while logistic costs have gained up 27 percent the company said, adding that raw material prices are expected to raise further during the year.
[Source: Reuters via Kia-World.net]
but hey, the warranty is gonna be the same competetive 5 yrs/100,000km warranty. Mohave and Opirus get a 5yr unlimited km warranty.
by vivek, on August 8 2008 @ 6:55 am
hey boris..does the sportage have low-range gearing??
by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, on August 8 2008 @ 5:05 pm
Nope.
by vivek, on August 10 2008 @ 12:12 am
hey mash..after lots of brainstorming, i’ve finally brought down my list to only two cars..the Honda Accord 2.4 top of the line and the Mazda 6 2.5L top of the range..the former costs 94,600aed while the latter is a l’il more costlier wit itz tag at 95,800aed..i visited the showrooms and saw both the cars..mazda has a long list of features for the price compared to the accord which includes an 8-speaker Bose audio system, a 5-speed auto gearbox with tiptronic functions and paddle shifters, dynamic vehicle stability controls, xenon headlamps, LED taillamps etc..but the accord has an incredible interior space compared to the 6, n sadly notin more; mebbe apart from the resale value..the accord dealers say the car churns out 178 hp (which is obv the gross rating) and mazda sits at 170 hp (not sure if itz net or gross)..the seats in the mazda are way tooo comfortable than the accord..the comparison makes me lean towards the mazda 6…but i need a final opinion from sumone who is an expert; n tatz u
..what do you think abt the reliability of mazda 6?? n can it reach the comfort, ride quality, quietness and handling levels of the accord?? the dealers are useless I heard; but trading enterprises never managed to completely satisfy my honda friends anyway..whtz ur say bro?
by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, on August 11 2008 @ 1:30 am
I can’t compare since I haven’t driven the Mazda, and don’t plan to approach the small-time dealer. I assume it handles a bit better than the Accord, but I can’t comment on noise and ride. The Mazda sounds like the better deal. Real specs of the new models and reliability for the older models are in the guide.
by vivek, on August 13 2008 @ 12:54 am
hey mash..thnx a lot..i’ve decided on the mazda 6 and have already booked for the 2.5L top of the range
…tried the base 2.0L mazda 6; ride was a bit firm; and engine noise was heard under hard throttle tho it is muffled well enuf…nywayz, thnx again..n i wont be eatin ur head until i sell this off after 2 - 3 years 
..