GET ready for an adventure with Kia Malaysia's first locally assembled (CKD) C-segment sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Sporting a new look for the new generation makes it perfect for ushering in the new year. But more so to highlight a layer of twist to your decision.

As revealed at last year's Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) the new 2025 Sportage which is built on the advanced 3rd Generation N3 platform comes in two powertrain options. Finding which of them suits you best is a mini journey of discovery in itself.

Which made it all the more important that we got the chance to try out the multiple variants on offer during the model's media drive session that took place just before the Chinese New Year festive season.

A key highlight of the drive was the different terrain that we got to test the model under - an experience we'll come back to a little later.

On to the more obvious point is how different the 5th gen Sportage looks from a generation ago. The design evolution will not be obvious to most who are not privy to the model's name beforehand.

It is also the sportiest looking among Kia Malaysia's new line-up of models. The arrow-X design is a massive draw for the 2025 Sportage especially if you're looking for something more modern and different.

Another highlight is the 2.0L Smartstream petrol engine or 1.6L turbo Gamma II petrol engine options the model comes with - and depending on the variant you're also looking at a different drivetrain.

The 2.0L engine is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission to deliver a performance of 156hp at 6,200rpm and 192Nm torque, while the the more powerful 1.6L turbo is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission for a 177hp at 5,500rpm and 256Nm of torque output.

Each powertrain setup comes in two variants: 2.0L standard, 2.0L High, 1.6T High and 1.6T High All-Wheel Drive/AWD.

An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a 4.2-inch colour TFT-LCD instrument cluster pairing is native to the 2.0L variants. The 1.6L Turbo variants gets the 12.3-inch digital instrumental cluster and a high-resolution infotainment system. 

All models are compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. 

Only the 1.6L Turbo variants get ambient lighting and only the High AWD option comes with Harman Kardon premium audio system.

Leather furnishing in the cabin is standard for all save for the Standard 2.0L whose seats are fabric.

The Standard 2.0L also misses out on a host of Advanced Safety Technologies such as: High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), and Lane Following Assist (LFA).

Adding the Standard 2.0L's Smart Cruise Control (SCC) is passive while the others come with Stop and Go feature.

From experience Kia never makes it easy to decide which variant makes the most sense for the customer and it is no different here.

Regardless the 1.6T High AWD is the option to go for if you're looking for the optimal package solely for the AWD drivetrain.

Bringing us to the drive experience. Despite the new Sportage's athletic design what caught our attention most was the comfort it delivers.

As with its larger siblings (Carnival and Sorento) the Sportage has ample legroom for all passengers. This paired with very good suspension dampers meant drives are mostly smooth even on rough roads.

And on semi-rough roads is where the model shines brightest. The Sportage performs decently in urban settings or the highway, but because of its suspension you'll get the most out of it when they are put to the task.

Which is why the AWD option helps under these conditions for that extra grip. In addition to a rather low-gear hesitant transmission the SUV's body sway and bounce becomes a lot more prominent at higher drive speeds and the AWD's traction will give you that added reassurance you're looking for.

All of this was on full display during our drive up and down Janda Baik as well our trek through some of the slightly wilder roads of Serendah, Hulu Selangor. 

Instead of speeding model across the highway our time with the Sportage had it best suited to engage various road conditions for it to truly stand on its own - perfect for that weekend getaway or an outdoor picnic excursion. We would advice against roughing it through a 4x4 rugged track though.

Helps that it is one of the more radical looking Kia models to date if you're looking for something that isn't on the road (front design-wise).

That said the two-wheel drive (2WD) option is just as capable and the 2.0L engine also has its charm, and why it could even be the better choice for you, though we'll delve into it more during the in-depth test drive review of the 2025 Sportage.

Locally assembled at the Inokom Assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah, the 2025 Sportage is available in Astra Blue, Meteor Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, and Jet Black.

Variants are priced from RM 145,999 (2.0L), RM 155,999 (2.0L High), RM 175,999 (1.6T High), and RM 185,999 (1.6T High AWD).

Prices include a 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty (up to 100,000 km) and a 5-Year Free Scheduled Maintenance package.