By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 21, 2022) With a presence of over 20 years, the Sportage is Kia’s longest running nameplate in the U.S. and for 2023 it’s been completely redesigned inside and out. In addition to a distinct new design and built on Kia’s 7-inch longer N3 platform, the same used by the larger Kia Sorento, making for an overall larger Sportage. For the first time it’s being offered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants alongside the gas-only Sportage.

The Sportage Hybrid tested here is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a single 44kW permanent magnet electric motor, that draws power from a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery combining for a total 227 horsepower delivered via a six-speed automatic transmission. This is the same engine-transmission setup borrowed from Kia’s Hyundai sibling the Tucson that we recently heaped praise upon.

Sportage is a five-passenger compact crossover utility vehicle that competes against marquee names like best-selling Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape as well as the Tucson. All those nameplates offer hybrid variants, so Kia is playing catch-up with its new Sportage Hybrid.

The Sportage Hybrid is offered in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX-Prestige. LX is front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive optional, while the EX and SX Prestige get Kia’s Active AWD system standard which employs electro-hydraulic coupling with a center-locking differential to divide power between front and rear wheels when demanded.

The new Sportage is larger overall which primarily shows up with more rear-seat legroom, more cargo space and an overall roomier feeling interior. We thought the interior while minimalist in design looked exceptionally nice with premium materials, excellent build quality and upscale in appearance compared to other competitors in this class.

Our EX included a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, SynTex (faux leather) seating material, wireless charging pad, rear seat USB charging ports, auto up/down front windows, and rear privacy glass.

There’s 40 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear row seats and 74 cubic feet with the rear seats folded forward. That’s especially roomy for the class with access via the optional hands-free power rear liftgate that’s part of the $1500 optional EX Premium Package that also included a panoramic sunroof, dual illuminated vanity mirrors and LED interior lighting.

There are ample amounts of tech features including the easy-to-use infotainment system, which includes the 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an outstanding eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.



On the road we found the ride and handling of the new Sportage about average for its class. The ride is generally smooth and quiet, handling confident and as expected but know that a sporty driving dynamic is not part of the package. Still, acceleration is peppy and there’s ample power for passing on two-lane highways. Our EX came standard with all-wheel drive, but the Sportage isn’t capable for hard core off-roading duties. It’s more of a family hauler good for snowy road conditions than rugged rock crawling.

Of course, the primary reason to choose the Sportage in a hybrid is improved fuel economy. EPA rated an even 38 MPG for city, highway and combined driving. This is an excellent figure for the compact hybrid SUV class.

Standard driver-assistance features include forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicycle detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure and lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, rear0seat occupant reminder, rearview backup camera and automatic high-beam headlights. Our EX added blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross traffic alert, and safe exit warning all standard.

Overall, we found the new Sportage a significant upgrade from the outgoing model last year. We were especially impressed with its roomy interior, modern interior and exterior designs, refined build quality and premium materials. We think the Sportage Hybrid EX is an excellent bang for the buck and will more than satisfy most buyers in this class. But we were disappointed with the fuel economy for the hybrid as compared to its EPA rating.

Vital Stats
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX

Base Price: $30,990
Price as Tested: $33,860
Engine/Transmission: 227-horsepower 1.7L turbocharged hybrid powertrain paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission
EPA Fuel Economy: 38/38/38 MPG - City/Highway/Combined
Seating: 5

Crash Test Safety Ratings: Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the 2023 Sportage Hybrid.

Where Built: Gwangju, South Korea

Competes With:
Ford Escape Hybrid
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Highs:
Attractive new styling inside and out
Roomy, high-tech interior
Exceptionally roomy

Lows:
New styling may not be for everyone
Handling isn’t sporty, but it is confident