Modifications to the Sportage specifications for either MY26 or MY25.5?

[Wordcar]

I visited the Kia website out of curiosity to learn more about the newly introduced "Shadow" grade. I have placed an order for a GT Line MY25 and it is expected to arrive shortly. Upon reviewing the specification page, I saw that it has been updated for all models.

The primary change is the BHP for the Hybrid variant. The initial power output was 226 brake horsepower (bhp), however it was then revised to 212 bhp on my order form. Currently, the reported power output stands at 207 bhp.

[Wordcar]

Upon placing my purchase, I distinctly recall that the GT Line was specified to come with "3 zone air conditioning," leading me to infer that it would have rear air controls, while the 3 grade would have "2 zone" air conditioning. The revised statement clarifies that the GT range no longer includes rear air conditioning.

The whole information may be found at the following link: https://www.kia.com/uk/new-cars/sportage/specification/

It is my hope, as well as the hope of others, that we will get the exact specification we requested. Is this the updated specification for the next model year? Are you able to identify any further alterations?

[HolyRoach]

When you download the specification sheet, it displays the current MY25 specification. Last year, they implemented this action when the MY25 standard was introduced at a later time throughout the year. I am unable to provide an exact date from last year, however the MY25 specification was already out by the time I placed my vehicle purchase in November 2023. Despite the dealer's inability to promise it, we received the MY23 standard as requested in late March 2024.

[Wordcar]

I understand. Hopefully, this implies that I will get the MY25 version rather than the MY26 version. It seems that they are attempting to position the Shadow model as a more affordable alternative to the GT Line S by eliminating some of the features seen in the GT Line. If I were to place an order at this moment, the Shadow seems to be the most advantageous option if you are unable to afford the GT Line S.

[HolyRoach]

If Kia follows its typical pattern, the Sportage Shadow specification will have a brief lifespan and will cease to exist within a few months. Kia has a track record of releasing special versions of the Sportage, including the 'First Edition' (often introduced with a new design), 'GT-Line Edition', 'Platinum Edition', and 'JBL Black Edition'. All of them had a brief lifespan and often occupied a position slightly higher than a GT-Line, but lower than a GT-Line S.

[DolSquirrel]

I acquired a MY25 vehicle on July 2nd, which was clearly shown on the purchase form and confirmed by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The order form further specified the vehicle as model 212.

Upon attempting to cover my automobile, my current insurance provider was unable to locate it using the registration number, despite the fact that it was registered in the DVLA database. Furthermore, their manual search yielded no results for a car with a power output of 212BHP. Their vehicle had a power output of 207 brake horsepower (BHP). When you search for Sportage 207BHP on Google, you will come across several websites that list the vehicle with both 207 and 212 BHP, sometimes even inside the same advertisement. This has caused some confusion. I am bringing up the issue of insurance partly because it is somewhat intimidating to be informed that they are unable to provide coverage for your vehicle due to their inability to locate it.

With a clear sense of anxiety, I reached out to Kia customer services using the chat feature on their homepage to inquire about if I was insuring the correct specifications. They were resolute in their belief that it was 212 brake horsepower (BHP). I inquired about the discrepancy between the two specifications shown on their website: 207BHP on the main page and 212BHP in the e-brochure. The individuals stated their lack of knowledge on the matter and expressed their intention to investigate more. However, they were unable to provide a specific timeframe for when this investigation would occur. I inquired about their plans to update insurers due to the resulting misunderstanding. They said that they will do so as necessary.

[MutanX]

It seems that they have made some errors in implementing recent website modifications. On some sections of the Stonic website, there is inconsistency on the power output of the MHEV variant, with some sources indicating 118bhp and others indicating 99bhp.

[HolyRoach]

Kia excels in one thing - inadequate communication with customers, and maybe even with dealerships!
I hypothesise that the alterations in brake horsepower (bhp) are directly related to the difficulties manufacturers are encountering in meeting their net zero objectives. We are seeing the gradual decline of combustion engines fueled by petrol and the transition towards fully electric vehicles. I am quite pleased to own a bus pass.