New Kia Sportage JBL Black Edition launched

• Based on ‘3’ trim
• Available to order now
• Priced from £28,545

The Kia Sportage SUV has gained a special JBL Black Edition trim level, with an upgraded audio system and a darkened colour scheme. You can order the new model now, with prices starting from £28,545.

The name of this new trim level is certainly literal; all cars get a Phantom Black paint finish, and the 17-inch alloy wheels are finished in black too. All the external Kia badges are darkened along with matching black boot badging. Look closely and you’ll notice some other trim pieces also feature a black finish, including the roof rails, side sills, fog lamp surrounds and skid plates.

A JBL stereo system is the other notable addition over the standard car. It features eight speakers and an external amplifier. Buyers can also get their hands on a complimentary JBL Flip 5 handheld speaker.

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As it’s based on the ‘3’ trim, the Kia Sportage JBL Black Edition comes with quite an extensive equipment list. Standard features include a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, heated front and outer rear seats, and a 360-degree monitor. An eight-inch touchscreen boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility plus online connectivity functions, while standard safety kit includes lane-keeping assist and auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Kia’s 1.6-litre petrol and mild-hybrid diesel engines are available with the JBL Black Edition. The petrol produces 174bhp, while the diesel offers 134bhp, and both can be specified with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. All cars are front-wheel drive, but other Sportage trim levels offer grippy four-wheel drive if you need it.

With a manual gearbox, the petrol costs £28,545, and the diesel starts at £29,130. In each case, the automatic gearbox is £1,215 more expensive. Compared to a diesel car in ‘3’ trim, the JBL Black Edition adds about £700 to the price.

See where the Kia Sportage lands on our list of the best used family cars.