10 things you need to know about the Kia Sportage Hybrid
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is one of the best models money can buy in this category and there are several reasons. The all-new fifth generation of the popular compact SUV returns with a striking design language, a long feature list of technology and gadgets, and improved performance, now putting it far ahead of its outright rivals. The main addition to this new generation is the hybrid powertrain, which Kia offers in three configurations.
Coming to market with a base MSRP of $27,290, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offers all the good things about the regular Sportage and makes it more economical than its gasoline-powered counterparts. It is also great value for money when compared to its competitors like Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, etc. Here we take a look at 10 things you should know about the new 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid.
Data was sourced from Kia, EPA, and other reputable publications like Car and Driver and Edmunds.
1 The Sportage Hybrid produces up to 227 horsepower
The Sportage Hybrid comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 44-kilowatt electric motor, and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-polymer battery. The combined power of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is also available. The compact SUV has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a 0-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds.
Kia Sportage Hybrid specifications
|
Engine type |
1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine |
|
displacement |
1,598 cc |
|
Combined horsepower |
227 horsepower |
|
Joint torque |
258 ft. lbs |
|
0-60 mph |
7.6 seconds |
|
maximum speed |
130 mph |
|
Driving line layout |
Front wheel drive system |
(Specifications sourced from Kia)
The Kia Sportage Hybrid delivers performance worthy of its price. It has enough power, silence and comfort for almost any road condition. The tires absorb bumps well, but some road noise reaches the cabin.
2 Excellent combination of safety technology
For a family SUV, Kia impresses by offering most safety and driver assistance features as standard in the 2023 Sportage Hybrid. This includes:
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Forward collision warning
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Automated emergency braking
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Lane departure warning
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Help keep track
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Driver monitoring system
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Blind spot monitoring
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Air vision camera
Some premium features are only available on higher trims such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear automatic braking, and highway driving assist that are standard with the top SX Prestige Hybrid trims. Solid build quality at the top of these long lists of safety features is sure to attract the attention of the Sportage Hybrid.
3 Elegant and luxurious interior design
Kia has always impressed when it comes to premium interior quality and the 2023 Sportage Hybrid does not disappoint here. This all-new interior smartly takes its cues from its more premium siblings like the Telluride and Stinger. It certainly feels more luxurious than its predecessor, and the thick leather-wrapped steering wheel and perforated SynTex upholstery and beautiful quilted top trim make it feel luxurious inside.
Interior dimensions of the Kia Sportage Hybrid
|
Total passenger volume |
105.1 cubic feet |
|
Height (front/back) |
39.6/39.1 inches |
|
Shoulder room (front/rear) |
57.5/55.6 inches |
|
Hip room (front/rear) |
54.8/53.4 inches |
|
Leg room (front/rear) |
41.4/41.3 inches |
(Specifications sourced from Kia)
The interior feels upscale and quiet in motion, with highly supportive seats complemented by a smooth ride. The combination of red and beige upholstery looks great, and the lower trims come in different color options. The smart infotainment system, a heavy dose of leather, soft-touch plastics, and subtle piano black elements make the cabin stand out more than the CR-V and Escape. A huge panoramic sunroof is also available, adding a feeling of spaciousness to the cabin.
4 Stunningly bold look
Kia has completely revolutionized the design of the new Sportage and the results are stunning. It looks otherworldly, featuring boom-shaped headlights, a raked roofline, and a bold grille design.
Deeply cut shoulders, muscular limbs, and a horizontal front and rear bumper give it a much wider appearance. Although it lacks the sharp creases on the Tucson’s body side, the Sportage’s curves rise and fall attractively to break up the side view and make it stand out.
Dimensions of the Kia Sportage Hybrid
|
Length |
183.5 inches |
|
an offer |
73.4 inches |
|
to rise |
65.4 inches |
|
Wheelbase |
108.5 inches |
|
Land clearance |
7.1 inches |
|
Curb weight |
4,751 lbs |
(Specifications sourced from Kia)
It is also longer and wider than its predecessor, and the extended wheelbase helps provide more space inside the cabin for passengers. The side profile features new 18-inch wheels, black A-pillars, body cladding and best-in-class length. The LED taillights, angular box design and hidden rear wiper round out the design really well.
5 One of the most spacious in its class
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is comfortably larger than its predecessor and current competitors, which translates to more cabin space for its passengers. The front and back rows offer adequate head and legroom, and tall people have no problem sitting here. The stylish and modern interior is a departure from previous Sportage models and aims to provide a futuristic driving experience.
There’s class-leading cargo and interior space, and getting in is easy thanks to crossover-like ground clearance and high doors. The rear row of seats can easily accommodate three passengers, making it ideal for long trips. Its 41.2 inches of legroom tops the charts, with no major transmission tunnel. The wide armrest, charging ports and soft upholstery add to the plus points. The upper trims get a surround view camera.
6 Impressive infotainment system
Lower versions of the Sportage Hybrid come standard with 8-inch infotainment touchscreens. However, the 12.3-inch UVO touchscreen infotainment system that comes on the top two models takes the cake. The menu layout is very clear and intuitive, and the learning curve is minimal.
All the goodies like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, navigation, UVO technology, voice recognition, USB, Bluetooth, and eight-speaker Harman Kardon units come standard with the SX Prestige model. Audiophiles will like the system compared to those found in the Escape Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid.
7 Provides some smart storage options
The Sportage Hybrid cleverly adds to the versatility by providing ample under-armrest storage space, multiple cup holders, and a large glove box. The cup holders are adjustable to secure beverage containers of different sizes. It also includes a deep center console, seatback coat hangers integrated into the headrests, and shopping bag hooks. Rear passengers get dual cup holders and seatback pockets.
Kia Sportage Hybrid cargo and towing capacity
|
Maximum towing capacity (lbs) |
2500 |
|
Cargo Capacity – Second Row Folded (in cubic feet) |
74.1 |
|
Cargo Capacity – Second Row Up (cubic feet) |
39.6 |
(Specifications sourced from Kia)
The thoughtfulness continues in the cargo area, with spring-loaded handles to release and fold the rear seatbacks and a two-level cargo floor that helps secure small items. Overall, the Sportage Hybrid offers 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, or 74.1 cubic feet with the 60/40-split second row, which is excellent for a compact SUV.
8 It received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA
The NHTSA conducts annual testing on these cars, and the 2023 Sportage Hybrid performed well here. The crash testing process includes three parts: frontal crash tests, side crash tests, and rollover tests. There was only a partial NHTSA safety review for the 2023 Sportage Hybrid, with a full five stars for frontal crash and four stars for rollover testing.
The Kia Sportage impressed the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with the organization awarding the SUV a “TOP SAFETY PICK” award. That means it received good ratings in six IIHS crashworthiness ratings, including driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, roof strength, head restraint tests, etc.
9 The Sportage Hybrid AWD model returns 38 mpg combined
The all-new Kia Sportage Hybrid stays ahead of its competitors by providing the best fuel economy statistics in its range. This would certainly make the compact SUV a compelling proposition for this segment, especially for family car buyers. The Sportage Hybrid manages 38 mpg city and highway, thanks in part to the 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack.
With a 13.7-gallon fuel tank, the 2023 Sportage Hybrid was able to travel 520 miles on a full tank of fuel. However, front-wheel-drive models, equipped with a larger fuel tank, can go up to 589 miles on a full tank. This is much better than any other gasoline model at the same price.
10 Pricing for the Kia Sportage Hybrid starts at $27,490
Starting from the modest range of the base, front-wheel-drive LX, the Sportage Hybrid is competitively priced. This includes a wide range of safety and convenience features, making it an impressive choice. Both the CR-V and RAV4 Hybrid come standard with all-wheel drive, but even when you add all-wheel drive for $1,800, the Sportage Hybrid costs significantly less than its competition.
For the price range, it is more reasonable compared to competitors in the same category. The HEV range starts at $27,490 and goes up to $43,190. All of these prices are MSRP and do not include the $1,325 destination charge. It ends up being much quicker than a gas-powered Sportage, and it delivers excellent fuel efficiency as well, giving the Kia Sportage Hybrid a great value.
