The 2011 Kia Sportage is set to go for $18,295 ($18,990 with destination), while coming equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, power windows, doorlocks and mirrors, auxillary inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.

Powered by a 2.4L, 176 horsepower 4-cylinder, the Sportage is also set to get the 270 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo motor from the Hyundai corporate stable.

More luxurious LX models will feature LED turn signal indicators, keyless entry and privacy glass. The top of the line model gets 18-inch rims and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Six airbags, four-wheel ABS and electronic stability control are also standard.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

[Source: Kia]

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Kia has just released the first photos of its upcoming 2011 Sportage crossover, which will officially debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. With Kia’s new front grille and a muscular new body, the 2011 Sportage is all-new, inside, outside and under the hood.

With many design cues similar to the new Sorento, the smaller compact crossover Sportage has a more butch look. It also promises to be a big improvement over the outgoing model as we expect it will use the same engine featured in Hyundai’s new 2010 Tucson. That engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that makes 176-hp and 168 ft-lbs of torque, giving it roughly the same power and performance as the old optional V6 while at the same time delivering 20 percent better fuel economy than the old 4-cyl. In the Tucson, this engine gets a fuel economy rating of 23/31 mpg.

In international markets, the new Sportage will also be available with a new diesel engine.

Kia promises a compact crossover that will compete head-on with segment powerhouses like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, thanks in part to a longer and wider body that should deliver more passenger and cargo room..

AutoGuide will bring you live coverage of the 2011 Kia Sportage from the Geneva Auto Show starting March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Sportage

Official release after the jump:

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