The 2011 Kia Sportage was released in April 2010 to Asian and European market, with North and Central American market release on 8 August, 2010. Australian market release debuted in late October. It currently uses a 2.0L CRDi 136 and 184 hp (137 kW) Hyundai R diesel engine, although Kia has announced that a 2.0L straight-4 Turbo (260 hp (194 kW) 269 lb·ft (365 N·m)) gasoline direct injection turbo engine will also be released in 2011. The engine is the same one used in the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T.
In China, the third generation, called Sportage R, was released by Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia in October 2010, and to be built and marketed alongside—rather than as 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. Earning the award became tougher 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.
In China, the third generation, called Sportage R, was released by Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia in October 2010, and to be built and marketed alongside—rather than as 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. Earning the award became tougher 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.