its present lineup, it’s exhausting to consider Kia was as soon as a byword for cheapness. The truth is, the one nameplate remaining from these unhealthy previous days is the Kia Sportage. Since its launch in 1993, the Sportage has advanced from a curiosity to a real mainstream crossover SUV. But it surely was nonetheless lacking one thing.
The previous-generation Sportage was a strong contender, however with some many automobiles to select from on this crowded market section, Kia wanted to do extra to face out. To that finish, the redesigned 2023 Kia Sportage provides a first-ever hybrid powertrain. Kia is pretty late to the hybrid crossover sport, nonetheless, as hybrid variations of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 have already been on sale for a while, whereas Kia guardian Hyundai launched its Tucson Hybrid for the 2022 mannequin 12 months.
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid launches in LX, EX, and SX-Status trim ranges. Pricing begins at $28,545 for a base front-wheel drive LX mannequin — a $1,300 premium over the non-hybrid mannequin. The mid-level EX and prime SX-Status trim ranges get commonplace all-wheel drive, and begin at $32,245 and $37,445, respectively. Our check automotive was an SX-Status mannequin with the dearer Shadow Matte Grey paint and a Carmine Crimson inside, which introduced the as-tested worth to $38,155.
Inbuilt Gwangju, South Korea, the Sportage Hybrid will hit dealerships later this 12 months. A plug-in hybrid model is on the best way as nicely.
Design and inside
It’s straightforward to identify a 2023 Sportage because of a radical new entrance fascia with blade-like LED daytime operating lights encapsulating triangular headlights. The way in which the lights mix into the grille offers the Sportage a considerably alien look. The remainder of the outside styling is pretty typical, nonetheless, which implies anybody approaching this automotive from behind is in for a shock after they see that entrance finish. Regardless, it’s good to see Kia taking some aesthetic dangers, particularly in a market section that doesn’t normally emphasize model.
The 2023 Sportage relies on the identical N3 platform because the Kia Sorento. The redesign elevated measurement in all dimensions, however significantly size. The brand new Sportage is about an inch taller and half an inch wider than the previous-generation mannequin, however 7.1 inches longer. That features a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, which usually pays dividends in passenger house. The hybrid mannequin has barely much less headroom and cargo house than the non-hybrid Sportage.
Anybody approaching this automotive from behind is in for a shock.
The Sportage Hybrid can be carefully associated to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, that means their inside dimensions are just about similar. The pair of two-row, five-seat Korean fashions are additionally pretty near rival automobiles in headroom and legroom throughout each rows, exhibiting simply how aggressive this market section is.
Not like its Hyundai sibling, nonetheless, the Sportage will get a dual-level cargo ground. At its decrease peak, it creates 39.5 cubic ft of cargo house with the rear seats in place. That’s greater than the Hyundai — and all different equally sized hybrid crossovers. The Sportage hybrid’s most 73.7 cubic ft of cargo house with the rear seats folded is barely behind the Tucson hybrid, however nonetheless forward of hybrid variations of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.
Our SX-Status check automotive had SynTex synthetic leather-based, which Kia is now selling as a sustainable design characteristic as a result of it’s animal-free. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless the identical faux leather-based Kia and different automakers have been utilizing for years to save lots of prices, and it feels that means. You’ll by no means mistake this for actual leather-based upholstery. Different inside supplies have been pretty good for a mainstream car, although.
Tech, infotainment, and driver help
All 2023 Sportage fashions profit from a significant infotainment improve. Kia now gives a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen positioned facet by facet to make one lengthy curved show, one thing beforehand seen on solely on luxurious vehicles from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Nonetheless, that setup is simply accessible on the highest SX-Status mannequin. The LX and EX fashions get 8.0-inch and 12.3-inch touchscreens, respectively, with a stand-alone instrument cluster. A touch-control panel sits under the primary touchscreen, and might change between audio and local weather controls relying on which perform is required.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be found, however solely with the smaller touchscreen. As with different Kia fashions, upgrading to the bigger display screen means downgrading to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi scorching spot can assist as much as 5 units, and 4 USB-C ports are commonplace. Greater trim ranges add two rear USB-C ports, wi-fi telephone charging, and a Harman Kardon audio system.
Our SX-Status check automotive had the top-of-the-line curved show, and it regarded fairly slick. We additionally discovered the touchscreen to be fairly responsive, and appreciated the graphics, together with a digital clock-style typeface for the speedometer. Nonetheless, Android Auto gained’t show throughout your complete touchscreen, and you must change to the Sport driving mode to get a tachometer studying within the instrument cluster. These are pretty minor quibbles with an general well-executed infotainment system, nonetheless.
Customary driver-assist options embrace ahead collision warning (with car, pedestrian, and bike owner detection), lane-keep help, lane-departure warning, automated excessive beams, and a driver-attention monitor. The EX mannequin provides blind-spot collision avoidance help and safe-exit warning, whereas the SX-Status provides adaptive cruise management (with stop-and-go performance), Distant Good Parking Help, a 360-degree digicam system, blind-spot-view digicam, and Freeway Driving Help, which provides automated lane centering to the adaptive cruise management.
Driving expertise
The Sportage Hybrid’s powertrain consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automated transmission assisted by a single electrical motor. Whole system output is 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The bottom LX mannequin will get commonplace front-wheel drive and optionally available all-wheel drive, whereas the EX and SX-Status are all-wheel drive solely.
That is basically the identical powertrain used within the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, however the Kia makes an additional 1 hp. Each Korean fashions provide extra horsepower than the 200-hp Ford Escape Hybrid, 212-hp Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 219-hp Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, however these manufactures don’t quote torque outputs for his or her hybrids.
In comparison with its rivals, the Sportage Hybrid additionally drives extra like a non-hybrid automotive. The mix of gasoline and electrical energy was seamless, and the six-speed automated transmission supplied fast shifts. That made for a linear utility of energy in contrast to different hybrid techniques. And whereas small turbocharged engines will be caught out when their turbos aren’t on top of things, we had no points with this one.
In comparison with its rivals, the Sportage Hybrid drives extra like a non-hybrid automotive.
This powertrain isn’t simply good for a hybrid car. We really suppose the hybrid is nicer to drive than the non-hybrid Sportage. That model solely will get 187 hp and a slow-shifting transmission.
Whereas it’s extra highly effective and responsive than rivals, the Sportage wasn’t designed for efficiency. Past the powertrain, its greatest attributes are a remarkably quiet inside and comfy journey. The suspension stored the automotive composed and occupants in place throughout cornering, nevertheless it didn’t encourage us to assault every nook. The steering was unremarkable, and had an off-putting synthetic heft in Sport mode.
Enthusiastic driving isn’t what this automotive is about, although. It’s simply an unusual crossover designed for on a regular basis transportation. Whereas some crossovers will attempt to humor driving fans, the Sportage doesn’t faux to be one thing it’s not.
Gasoline mileage and security
The Sportage Hybrid is rated at an unrivalled 43 mpg mixed (42 mpg metropolis, 44 mpg freeway), however that’s solely with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive fashions are rated at 38 mpg in all three classes, erasing the Kia’s fuel-economy benefit. The all-wheel drive Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are rated at 40 mpg mixed, whereas the Honda CR-V Hybrid matches the Kia at 38 mpg mixed.
Crash-test scores from the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) and Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) weren’t accessible on the time of publication. That’s as a result of the Sportage Hybrid is a brand new mannequin that solely went on sale not too long ago.
Like different Kia and Hyundai fashions, the Sportage Hybrid will get a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee and five-year, 60,000-mile restricted guarantee that outclass different automakers’ protection.
How DT would configure this automotive
If tech is the precedence, the highest SX-Status mannequin is the apparent selection. The SX-Status will get probably the most commonplace driver-assist tech, together with the Freeway Driving Help and Distant Good Parking Help techniques. It additionally will get the dashboard-spanning curved show, which is the Sportage’s standout tech characteristic, in our opinion. Getting these options means paying a major premium over the bottom Sportage Hybrid LX, however almost each automaker requires clients to pay further for optimum tech.
Our take
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid delivers precisely what it wanted. It’s aggressive with hybrid variations of the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV4 within the all-important gas economic system class, however gives extra horsepower and higher drivability. Whereas the Kia’s Hyundai Tucson Hybrid cousin gives basically the identical powertrain, it doesn’t have the identical curved show.
The Sportage Hybrid can be a great crossover SUV, providing comparable inside house to different automobiles in its section. Kia is now not making an attempt to undercut opponents in worth, the Sportage Hybrid’s pricing is near different hybrid crossovers.
No car is ideal for everybody. Whereas Kia’s selections have been comprehensible, we want the Sportage Hybrid was a bit extra entertaining to drive. The styling will not be for everybody, both. However the Sportage Hybrid ticks all the bins that actually matter, exhibiting Kia’s typically missed power in hybrid automobiles.
Do you have to get one?
Sure. The Sportage could also be new to the hybrid sport, nevertheless it’s a robust contender out of the gate.
Editors’ Alternative
