The fourth-generation Kia Sportage debuted during the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Kia Sportage gets a fresh and attractive redesign thanks to Kia chief designer, Peter Schreyer, whose designs have been featured since the 2011 Kia Optima sedan.

The sporty crossover gets a "more imposing appearance and a more stable-looking stance," according to Kia. The design has a premium look with its sharp and chiseled edges and smooth surfaces.

While the vehicle underwent a significant redesign, there are still some design notes left over from its predecessor. The reflectors, side window profile, placement of rear license plate and thin lighting units are still the same.

The crossover's front fascia is now significantly different. The new look features Kia's signature "Tiger-Nose" front-end design. The swept-back headlights sit higher and near the hood. The front grille is more prominent and is anchored by large quad-LED "ice cube" driving lights on both sides. The wheelbase is also 30 mm longer and 40 mm lower, which gives more legroom.

The roof tapers toward the rear and the wheels are stretched further apart. The wheel arches also seem more pronounced. A chrome strip also joins the LED taillamps.

The Sportage is an all-wheel-drive with either a 1.2-liter or a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylindrical GDI engine that gives up to 177 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It has a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission but with an option for a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The new gearbox offers lower fuel consumption. It gives a sporty driving feel when in manual mode and a smooth and comfortable feel when in automatic mode.

The interiors have also been given a high-quality and refined redesign. The interiors have soft touch materials blended with a metal trim. The horizontal dashboard is clean and simple. It features wireless phone charging, ambient lighting and a 7-inch infotainment screen featuring Kia's UVO system.

The vehicle's safety features include lane departure prevention, forward pre-collision braking, active high beams, blind spot monitoring and a rear cross traffic alert. A standard rear camera also provides dynamic guidelines for the driver.

The all-new Kia Sportage will go on sale in European markets by early 2016 while it will reach the North American market in 2017 with different engines under the hood.