There’s now only one diesel powered medium sized SUV on the market and fortunately it will be here for a while – the 2025 Kia Sportage remains the last medium SUV with diesel power proving the most popular powertrain in the Sportage SUV line-up. Diesel power currently represents 36 per cent of Sportage sales growing from 30 per cent for most of last year. And despite the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard penalties coming into effect on July 1 Kia suggests the diesel option will remain for some time, the company able to offset penalties by achieving credits from its popular EV3 and EV5 models as well as a growing number of hybrids. The current 2.0-litre turbo diesel remains popular with its 416Nm of torque giving it a very relaxed performance – well suited to the four-wheel drive only diesel range.

IMAGE CREDIT / Kia Australia

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