Read your manual for the correct bulb type. The ones in the US are an H11b and no one makes anything but a standard version of it. Not sure if this is the same by you though.

 

Thanks WISportageSX.
I looked in the manual but it do not give the bulb spec, it only say that it is 55 watt. After checking the lights today I see that the low beam lights is HID lights, nice and white, but the high beam is a normal 55 watt bulb and yellow in color.

 

HIDs are an option in most global markets, so it doesn't surprise me if the OP has HIDs in Africa. High beams should be an H1.

 

KAI has HID Highbeam, but I'm completely unaware which Sportages they're compatible with. In KAI tradition they don't say or know either. I haven't searched for this info yet, but there's the link, and if anyone happens to know I'd appreciate it.

 

I've HID as low beam, and high beam is the H7 halogen bulb, replaced it with Philips Xtreme Vision, just stock color.

 

So this begs the question, if HID's are available for European (or South African) models, why are people buying kits to convert their halogens? Are these these available as replacements for the halogen and could they be used elsewhere? I would love to get HID's that were KIA oem! I am leery to use a kit and void my warranty.

 

HID on the top UK model to

WD

 

Same in South Africa, HID standard only on top model Petrol and top model Diesel.

 

Legal requirements could make the HL dimensions different everywhere; there's legal issues concerning HID in many areas. I'd like the top-tier Kia-brand headlights, but they may not be available here.

I don't mind non-HID lowbeams. HID highbeams sound fantastic. I love the angel-eyes modification, and I'm not sure if that would work on an SX. Again, I haven't searched this out yet, but any info on headlights is appreciated.

 

My car standard from the factory are fitted with HID on the lowbeams and normal H7 bulbs on the highbeams. Just fitted Phillips Crystal Vision bulbs
on the highbeams and will test the effect tonight. Looked at Phillips after market HID fitment kit as a next option but it is expensive. The fitment centre said that they werk very well. Will see the outcome of my lights tonight.

 

Here is a photo that I took of the group of lights on the left side. The one with the yellow lable is the HID unit.

 

WISporatgeSX: just wait. someday, someone will export the whole headlight assembly so you will be able to swap them out and plug and play for your HID. Then you will have HID and a nice OEM setup. that or the 2013 will have HID on the sx premium package and then you can just go to your parts dealer and order.

 

That's what I am hoping for. As cool as some of the mods are that people have done, I can't bring myself to void out the freakishly awesome warranty we get on Kia's here in the US.

 

You are right, after going back and looking at your pictures, we do have that side part as amber.

The way the fog lights are don't bother me much. Yours looks wider, can't tell what kind of bulb is in them, but they look like they are center more and ours is to the outside more.

As for the skid plate not fitting, I am told the bumpers on the SX are shaped differently so those nice looking skid plates won't fit. Shame because they give a nice look to the front, breaks up the colors etc. nicely.

To your other notes... Chrome looks to be about the same based on your pictures. The SX grill is different though, less on it. But, the rest of the car looks about the same. Not sure on the interior outside of the obvious steering wheel on the other side. The LED DRL's only come on the SX or EX versions (top two models). The base and LX version does not get them. The hood deflector must have been a bug deflector? Its an extra optional item, but not sure how its attached, but guessing it would be from the underside of the hood and not the outside.

I am surprised at all the variances. I would think they would be more standard. I get that there are different regulations from country to country so there are things that have to be different (i.e. lights, signals), but the style differences are very different... interesting to say the least.

Its also interesting how people here want to mod like the Euro style and the Euro side wants to mod like the US/others. You always want what you do have I guess.

 

Turn Signals: The orange tint in the upper, outer corners? No orange tint there except on the lightbulbs according to some other threads.

Fog Lights: The fog lights on other countries models are inverted L shaped for a reason. Those countries have requirements on side-facing lights for illuminating side roads/entrances while turning in to them. There are also two light bulbs in each foglight assembly. Essentially, they illuminate the side road when you have your turn indicator on. I would like to see a US swapout mod.

Skid plate: Probably doesn't fit because there is a different front (and rear) trim for UK/euro/africa vs US. I have noticed that all the euro models use the same lower trim (rocker panel) regardless of engine spec. Euro people, please carefully examine pictures of US EX, LX, or base models vs the SX and notice that the lower trim (all black plastic) is quite different. I find that the non-SX trim (which may be same as in euro models) has a roundness that makes the whole car seem separated from the ground, whereas the us SX trim is back curved to make it seem like it is flush/tangent with the ground (except for the 8 inches of separation). Sorry this is hard to describe, but quite apparent to those that are aware of it.

Some US models do not have the DRL led's, the base model and std configuration of the LX (DRL are an option for the LX). I believe that the DRL in the US vs UK run differently. Both switch off when turn signal is used, but i think the DRL in UK are brighter when the headlights are on vs US. I might be wrong about this, though.

My (OEM) hood deflector is screwed into my "bonnet" or hood. It is attached to little steel hangers, that are in turn self-tapping screwed into factory indicated (via punch indentation) positions. My vehicle came pre-equipped with it and i am not a big fan generally, but i do like the way it helps break up the front end and darken it to let chrome pop more.

My hope is that KIA or someone begins selling some additional accessories and trim pieces. Perhaps as new models come out that are based on the same body/trim, we will see some additional factory accessories. My fingers are crossed for HID's, low-profile aero-style crossbars, skid plates, metal-look pedal and footrest covers, and maybe some flashy bits of chrome trim for the interior (HUD, gearshift base).

 

cloud9utk: I'd like to see those mods/extras too!

Also, the amber part we were referring too is on the outside of the low beam headlight. On our US version it is amber, on the Euro it is white/clear. I haven't figured out how to post a picture here... so look at the front picture WD Pro posted of the headlights. The outside of the light going back to the front doors, on his is white/clear. On the US we have an amber reflector (could be a light, haven't looked at it with the lights on).

 

Finland we also have HID:s in low beams and halogen H7 in high beams on top level models.

HID:s in low beams are great but H7 halogen high beams are absolutely awful.
Original H7 lamp color is very yellow so when you put high beams on you only get small yellowish spot on the center of the road...

I try 2 different set of aftermarket HID:s on high beams but they don't do much difference because reflector of high beam light is small and when you put HID lamp on it light pattern goes all over place... (and very good change to burn body control unit, like I did if you don't use relay harness...)

I´t whole different thing when you change HID:s on low beams in some markets because those are originally projector halogens and they are ideal to be upgraded.

Now I have Osram Nightbreaker plus H7 lamps on high beams and they are better than originals...

I decide that when I had enough of this darkness I install additional HID high beams to do the job, meanwhile i´m happy we have 2-3ft snow now so it´s not as dark as it was in autumn...

 

The camera was out so here a close up of the UK light varient off a KX3 :

WD