Thabisa Mkhwanazi, Absa Managing Executive Marketing and Communications (Everyday Banking and Product Solutions) and Kia South Africa’s Head of Digital Operations & Marketing, Barend Smit
Image: Supplied, Kia South Africa
So it appears as if it’s not only their Kimchi that’s good for your body, and their dramas that are good for your soul. Now their cars have proven to be one of the best.
Korea’s Kia Sportage extended its local awards streak last week by clinching the top spot in the ‘Family Car’ category at the 2025 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. This after, in 2024, the Kia South Africa made history as the first Korean product to win an award in the competition, with its Sportage 1.6 CRDi EX variant receiving the honor.
This year, beating its nearest rival by 4.7%, the Sportage 1.6CRDi GT Line Plus variant successfully defended its title at the awards ceremony held at Waterfall City Park at Mall of Africa in Johannesburg last week.
The judges' scores for the 39 finalists accounted for 50% of the final standings, while the remaining 50% was based on the rankings each vehicle brand received in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey, which interviewed nearly 5,000 car owners.
"Securing this award once again reinforces that the Sportage is not just the ultimate urban SUV, but also delivers unmatched value in a fiercely competitive segment, connecting with today’s consumers," says Paul Turnbull, CEO of Kia South Africa.
"The Sportage is undeniably the best family car on the market today. Its blend of cutting-edge technology, advanced safety features, and stylish design makes it the perfect choice for modern families. We’re proud to see it continue to lead the way in both performance and customer satisfaction, setting new standards in the SUV category.”
The fifth-generation Kia Sportage was launched in South Africa in September 2022. With a feature-packed design and impressive performance powered by Kia’s renowned 1.6-litre turbocharged GDI engine, the range quickly gained praise from both fans and critics.
Bolstered in May 2023 with the addition of an equally punchy yet superbly frugal 1.6-litre turbodiesel powerplant, the nameplate celebrated its 30th anniversary.
The addition of a diesel powertrain further cemented Sportage’s unique positioning in its segment: in a market that has traditionally favoured diesel engines in SUVs, the availability of such engines have become the exception to the rule.