Lucky Motor Corporation Limited (LMCL) has officially introduced the Kia Sportage ‘Black Limited Edition’ in Pakistan. The HS was first introduced by the company in late 2019.
Sportage has been a favourite among crossover SUV customers in Pakistan since its introduction. The slick new ‘Black Edition’ wants to capitalise on the trend and compete with premium crossovers.
At this pricing bracket, the Sportage Black Edition faces two direct competitors: the Hyundai Tucson Ultimate and the MG HS Essence. So, does the Sportage Black Edition have what it takes to dominate its competitors? Let us investigate:
Exterior
Kia Sportage Black Edition
Pakistanis have become accustomed to Sportage’s eccentric appearance over the years. The Black Edition, on the other hand, takes the game to a whole new level.
The same LED headlights with quad-DRLs, Kia’s iconic tiger-nose grille, and a radical front bumper design can be found on the front end. Although everything, including the insignia, has been blackened out, giving the SUV a demonic appearance.
The SUV has 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels, which are an inch larger than the FWD and AWD models. Furthermore, everything on the side has been completely blacked out, including the door sashes, handles, mouldings, and roof rails.
The rear end retains the same basic look, but with darkened Kia, Sportage, and AWD logos and a gloss black rear scuff plate.
To summarise, the Sportage’s unusual appearance hasn’t aged as horribly as the following SUV on this list. Furthermore, the ‘blackening’ of the exterior has improved its overall appearance.
Hyundai Tucson Ultimate
Tucson, while delicate and attractive, is becoming stale. It boasts a big slatted hexagonal grille, sharp headlamps, a sleek hood, and a noisy bumper design.
The side profile is clean and simple, with silver roof rails, body-colored door handles, and a pair of sharp alloy wheels.
The back has lengthened taillights, two bottom reflectors, a boot lid that slopes forward, and a shark-fin antenna. Tucson appears antiquated in comparison to other SUVs, especially since the international premiere of a new model.
MG HS Essence
The MG HS is still one of Pakistan’s best-looking crossover SUVs two years after its debut. It has the perfect combination of classic good looks and modern stylistic cues.
The front headlights are understated but eye-catching, with projector lighting and prominent DRLs that also double as turn signals. The star-patterned front grille, which has a huge MG emblem in the centre, is surrounded by a chrome trim piece.
The SUV’s side shape is standard, but the 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome side-impact strips, brushed aluminium roof rails, and chrome strips surrounding the A, B, and C pillars give it a glamorous appearance.
The taillights are reminiscent of the third-generation BMW X3. An exquisite rear fascia is comprised of them, as well as sharp reflectors, dual exhausts, and a scuff-plate-like trim below.
Overall, HS Essence outperforms its opponent in terms of design. It’s a shame that MG only offers the SUV in black or white.
Interior
Sportage Black Edition
The interior of the new Sportage is substantially the same as the conventional models, save from the change from beige and brown to black and grey.
Although the design is simple and effective, there are other SUVs on the market with more modern interiors.
It boasts leatherette seats and a wide and comfy cabin that can comfortably seat five persons. A panoramic sunroof and reclining back seats complement the interior.
All of these elements come together to provide a slightly dated but passable family SUV.
Tucson Ultimate
Hyundai Tucson features nearly the same design flaws as the Sportage. The cockpit is more modern than the Sportage’s, with a more angular and sophisticated dash design.
It boasts a 10′′ infotainment screen, a soft-touch dashboard, an instrument panel with an additional digital screen for information, leatherette seats, and a spacious and pleasant cabin area.
Tucson also has a great interior, but it is beginning to show its age.
HS Essence
One of the key reasons for the MG HS’s popularity is the luxurious look and feel of the inside.
Stitched leather seats, soft-touch door panels and dashboard, and brushed aluminium trim pieces are featured throughout the cabin.
In comparison to its competitors, HS’s cabin is the most spacious. It can comfortably seat four adult people on prolonged excursions. The HS is a functional and elegant SUV that seats five people
Measurements
The following are the dimensions of all three SUVs:
| Measurements | HS Essence | Sportage Black Edition | Tucson Ultimate |
| Overall Length | 4,574 mm | 4,485 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,876 mm | 1,855 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Overall Height | 1,685 mm | 1,635 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,722 mm | 2,670 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 175 mm | 172 mm | 172 mm |
| Luggage Capacity | 463 Liters | 491 liters | 491 liters |
| Max. Curb Weight | 1,550 KG | 1,544 kg | 1,500 kg
|
Performance
Sportage and Tucson (Same Powertrain and Other Mechanical Components)
Both the Kia Sportage Black Edition and the Hyundai Tucson Ultimate share the same powertrains and mechanical components, including a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 155 horsepower and 196 Nm of torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
Both SUVs are equipped with McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link coil spring suspension in the rear. They also include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, EBD, and BA technology.
According to owner reports on numerous forums, the Tucson and Sportage both have a fuel efficiency of 10-12 km per litre.
MG HS Essence
The HS is powered by a 1.5 Litre turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engine that produces 160 horsepower (hp) and 250 Newton metres (Nm) of torque via a 7-speed automated gearbox.
It has McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link coil spring suspension in the rear. In addition, the car includes disc brakes on all four tyres, as well as ABS, EBD, and BA technology.
The MG HS has a claimed fuel economy of 10 to 14 km/liter, which, considering the vehicle’s size and weight, appears to be an ambitious figure.
Features
The specifications and features of all three vehicles are as follows:
| Specs and Features | Sportage Black Edition | Tucson Ultimate | |
| Safety | |||
| Central Power Doorlocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Contact Sensing Doorlocks and Windows | Yes | Yes | |
| Immobilizer System & Burglar Alarm | Yes | Yes | |
| Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes | |
| Camera | Rear Only | Rear Only | |
| All-Wheel Drive | Yes | Yes | |
| Hill Start and Descent Brake Assist | Yes | Yes | |
| Electronic Parking Brake | Yes | Yes | |
| Speed Sensing Auto Doorlock | Yes | Yes | |
| Parking Assist | Yes | Yes | |
| Lane Departure Warning | No | No | |
| Forward Collision Warning | No | No | |
| Automatic Headlights | Yes | Yes | |
| Blind Spot Detection System | No | No | |
| Lane Keep Assist | No | No | |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | No | No | |
| Traction and Stability Control | Yes | Yes | |
| Cruise Control | Normal | Normal | |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 | |
| Convenience | |||
| Power Tailgate | Yes | Yes | |
| Infotainment System w/ Android Auto and Apple Carplay | No | Yes | |
| Gauge Cluster with TFT Screen | Yes | Yes | |
| Multiple Driving Modes | Yes | Yes | |
| Wireless Phone Charger | No | Yes | |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | Yes | Yes | |
| Auto defogging system | Yes | Yes | |
| Outside Rear View Mirror Electric Folding and Heating Function | Yes | Yes | |
| Puddle lamp | Yes | Yes | |
| Ambient Lighting | No | No | |
| Cooled Glove Box | No | Yes | |
| Keyless entry and go | Yes | Yes | |
| Adjustable steering wheel | Yes | Yes | |
| Electronically Adjustable Front Seats | Yes | Yes | |
| Heated Front Seats | No | No | |
| Reclinable rear seats | Yes | Yes | |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors | Yes | Yes | |
| Rear USB Connectivity | Yes | Yes | |
| Auto Rain Sensing Windshield Viper | Yes | Yes | |
Price
The following are the pricing for all variations of these SUVs:
| Model | Price (Rs.) |
| MG HS Essence | 8,800,000 |
| Hyundai Tucson Ultimate | 8,859,000 |
| Kia Sportage Black Edition | 9,050,000 |
Verdict
In terms of automobile category, the comparison reveals that the Kia Sportage Black Edition competes with the MG HS Essence and the Tucson GLS Ultimate, but not in terms of value for money.
Tucson Ultimate and HS Essence are both less expensive than Sportage Black Edition. The former has nearly identical features, but the latter has better features than the new Sportage.
The only thing new about the Sportage Black Edition is its appearance. Time will tell whether this update is sufficient to keep the Sportage relevant in Pakistan.
