Kia Sportage Third generation Sportage (Type SL) 

(2010–2015) 

Production	2010 to 2015
Body style	4-door Crossover
Engine	1.6 L I4 GDI petrol 2.0 L I4 petrol 164hp 2.0 L I4 GDI (turbo) 2.4 L I4 petrol 175hp 1.7 L I4 CRDi turbo diesel 2.0 L I4 CRDi turbo diesel
Transmission	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,640 mm (103.9 in)
Length	4,445 mm (175.0 in)
Width	1,855 mm (73.0 in)
Height	1,645 mm (64.8 in)
Designer(s)	Peter Schreyer

The third generation of the Kia Sportage was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. This is technically identical to the Hyundai ix35 , which is why the Sportage also uses its engines in some cases. It is a 120 kW (163 hp) gasoline engine and a 2.0-liter common rail - diesel engine with 100 kW (136 hp). The diesel version has also been available with 135 kW (184 hp) since model year 2011.

Production began in June 2010 at the Kia plant in Žilina , Slovakia , and the market launch took place in early August 2010. Assembly also in Gwangju Plant, Gwangju, South Korea and Žilina Plant, Žilina, Slovakia Jakarta, Indonesia

The new model is longer, wider and flatter than its predecessor, and the wheelbase has also been lengthened. The design is based on the brand's new style with a large, trapezoidal radiator grille, almond-shaped headlights and a more prominent brand logo.

The light edge in the lower door area and an inwardly curved surface above the rear license plate are also typical of the design. Further characteristics are the exhibited fenders, large fog lights, a wide C-pillar as well as an all-round plastic cladding on the lower edge of the body. The contours of the bonnet are particularly emphasized, and the horizontally arranged rear lights extend into the trunk lid. 

In 2011 the Sportage as well as the Kia Optima and the Peugeot 508 I received the red dot design award . 

In spring 2014, the Sportage received a facelift . There were changes to the front design, taillights with LED technology, changes in the interior and on the chassis.

The 2011 Kia Sportage was released in April 2010 to Asian and European markets, followed by North and Central American markets in August. Australian models were released in October 2010. It currently uses a 2.0L CRDi 136 and 184 hp (137 kW) Hyundai R diesel engine. The engine is the same one used in the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T.

In China, the third generation, called the Sportage R, was released by Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia in October 2010, and to be built and marketed alongside the previous generation rather than as a replacement of the existing model.

The 3rd generation Kia Sportage, designed by Peter Schreyer, awarded 'Top Safety Pick' from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States.In the Euro NCAP crash test in November 2010, a full 5 stars the Kia Sportage received 33 points for occupant protection, 42 points for child protection and 18 points for pedestrian protection. According to the institute, this makes it the safest car in its class. 

In 2010 when IIHS added the rollover crash test, which measures roof strength and is twice as stringent as the federal requirement. To pass this test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of three times the vehicle’s weight (acceptable rating). The federal standard requires a roof to hold 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight