Nice find, Gecko.
That "corporate" grill in front, in Kia-speak, is known as a "Tiger" grill, and, yes, it is now more or less standard equipment on all new Kias. I agree it doesn't look particularly good with those specific sweep-back headlights. Lexus, BTW, used an almost identical headlight shape on the superb 4Gen ES300/330.
The former version may be a little dated, but my brother picked up an end-of-model-year 2015 Sportage LX (bought it on the last day of June, as good deals often come at the end of the month with manufacturer-to-dealer payments), and he loves it. (the same design will be carried forward for 2016 until this new 2017 is introduced next summer). The real test, though, of my brothers 2015 and its AWD will come this winter when he has to commute with it in snow and ice.