Kia Sportage: North America’s longest-running Kia model gets its most comprehensive makeover in 2023. It enters the fifth generation with new technology, two new hybrid powertrains, and more significant proportions inside and out.
In the same market as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape, it is still a two-row, five-seat compact crossover, but the Sportage has grown 7 inches over its predecessor and added 3.4 inches to its wheelbase. Its total length of 183.5 inches places it directly between the CR-V and the RAV4. This new, bigger Sportage is firmer, safer, and quieter on the road since it is built on the same N3 chassis that supports the Hyundai Tucson.
There are three different powerplant options for the Sportage. A new 8-speed automatic is paired with a 4-cylinder gas engine that produces base power. The Plug-In Hybrid utilizes the same 1.6-litre engine with a 66.9-kilowatt motor and a 13.8-kWh lithium battery that Kia claims can achieve full charge in around two hours on Level 2 power. A gas-electric hybrid combines a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with a 44-kilowatt electric motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission. AWD is an option on the hybrid and gasoline models; on the plug-in hybrid, it comes standard.
The Sportage has eight trim levels, going from the entry-level gas-powered LX to the EX, SX, and SX Prestige. All-terrain tires are added to the feigned-rugged X-Pro (and the costlier X-Pro Prestige), while the X-Line trim mirrors the off-road aesthetic cues while sticking with standard street tires. Only the LX, EX, and SX Prestige trim levels are available for the Sportage Hybrid, and only two are available for the Plug-In: X-Line or X-Line Prestige.
The Sportage can now compete against the plug-in Toyota RAV4 Prime, as well as the PHEV versions of the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Mitsubishi Outlander—as well as Kia’s own Niro and the Subaru Crosstrek for buyers who are also considering subcompacts—even though there are relatively few models in the compact-crossover segment that can be ordered as plug-ins.
The Kia Sportage is a worthy rival to these similarly attractive crossovers thanks to its high-end interior feel, refined driving manners, and ample space for cargo and passengers. However, it beats out most rivals on price thanks to its affordable starting price of just over $27,000 and under $40K for a plug-in hybrid with AWD. Despite being cheap, it boasts many features, with popular must-haves like heated seats and wireless charging coming as standard on most models.
Performance: Kia Sportage
The base engine is a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder with naturally aspirated compression that produces 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Even in its default sport setting, the engine is sluggish for a car of its size. The Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6L turbo engine produces 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the Plug-In Hybrid’s more potent electric motor boosts that output to 261 horsepower. The electrified versions of the Sportages are much more powerful than the gas-powered versions; however, the typical hybrid may still feel sluggish off the mark due to the way the throttle is tuned and the enormous weight of the car.
With an ultra-smooth, well-isolated ride and calm handling that gives it the sense of a more expensive crossover, the Sportage’s road manners are rather impressive for the class. Although its size prevents it from offering the same driving pleasure as some German or Japanese rivals, the Sportage’s quick steering and rooted feel make it a desirable companion for short journeys inside cities and extended travels on highways.
Although the Sportage hasn’t often been considered an off-road vehicle, it has a few characteristics that will help it navigate rough terrain. Any grade may have AWD added to it (X-Line and X-Pro come standard), and it has an “AWD lock” feature that shares the torque 50/50 between the front and rear to help it get out of tight spots. AWD variants have a ground clearance of 8.3 inches, 1.5 inches higher than the previous Sportage and on pace with the AWD CR-V.
However, the X versions are unavailable with the additional off-road capabilities that come with Subaru’s Wilderness or Jeep’s Trailhawk packages. Instead, they are primarily concerned with aesthetics and do not include any more off-roading equipment beyond re-calibrated driving modes, roof rails, and the X-Pro’s very mild set of terrain tires.
Fuel efficiency: Kia Sportage
Despite its lackluster performance, the gas engine only achieves average fuel efficiency; the FWD’s projected 28 combined mpg is lower than the 30 mpg of the standard RAV4 and Escape. Furthermore, the Sportage loses significantly in fuel economy because of its AWD, dropping to 25 mpg combined (compared to 28 for the AWD Escape and RAV4).
The Sportage Hybrid performs better, with the FWD model’s 43 mpg above its closest rivals. However, it suffers once again when AWD is included, resulting in a rating of only 38 mpg for the AWD Sportage Hybrid, with actual driving putting it closer to the low 30s and considerably below the 40 mpg of the hybrid RAV4 and Escape. The Plug-In Hybrid’s 84 mpg is also much lower than the 105 of the Escape, even though the latter is only offered in FWD and lower than the 94 of the RAV4 Prime. However, Sportage makes up some ground by offering hybrid models, especially plug-ins, which are still uncommon in the market.
Safety and driving assistance:
Every Sportage has a standard active-safety package that includes auto-high lights, lane-keep assistance, forward-collision assistance with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, and lane-departure warning. The EX and trim above add the blindspot warning, safe-exit aid, and cross-traffic detection and braking as standard equipment. In contrast, higher-level trims only get features like adaptive cruise control, highway driving assistance, and a blindspot view monitor.
The 2023 Sportage was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, but only for the SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige models, which come standard with LED projector headlights. The new Sportage has not yet been subjected to an NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) evaluation. Nevertheless, the Hyundai Tucson, which shares the same corporate platform, received five stars overall in FWD but only four stars in AWD, with the latter’s 4-star rollover rating weighing down the entire result. Whether the Sportage will bridge this gap and get a better rating is still up in the air.
Room and Comfort: Kia Sportage
Thanks to an increase in total dimensions that has shifted the Sportage to the bigger end of the compact crossover range, there is space to spread out in both rows. The front seats are roomy yet well-bolstered and powered on both sides; the driver’s seat has ten motorized adjustments, including lumbar support, while the passenger’s seat has eight, which is unique. All trims save the basic come equipped with heated front seats; however, only the two Prestige levels include seat ventilation.
Passengers in the rear seats have 41.3 inches more legroom than those in the front. These back seats recline pretty far, but at least the hybrids don’t seem to slide. The sun shines thanks to the optional giant panoramic sunroof, although heated back seats like those in the top-tier Chevy Equinox are not offered here.
Infotainment: Kia Sportage
The infotainment system stands out among the wealth of helpful technology in Sportage. Only the basic LX receives an 8-inch touchscreen; all other models have a bright 12.3-inch screen with navigation and Sirius XM support. All trims come with one of the two conventional digital instrument displays, which connect to the main display to give the impression of being one continuous screen. Additional screen space is available below, where a temperature control panel composed of real and virtual buttons transforms into a set of audio controls when a virtual toggle is hit.
Overall, there is a considerable amount of screen, and although the images are clear and the menus are well-designed, it may take some effort to go to the desired location quickly. The bottom panel appears to be set to climate when you need to change the radio station quickly. There is a default “quiet screen” that has to be avoided after every restart. However, the more advanced technology is worth the learning curve. For example, a “blindspot view monitor” beams a view from the side of the car directly into the gauge cluster when the turn signal is activated, and a handy shortcut button in the center console allows for an interactive 3D multi-view 360-degree camera. Kia also has a remote forward-and-back capability that makes it possible to move your Sportage from a confined garage or outdoor parking space. But despite all of this, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are perplexingly not wireless, even though the wireless version has been available on other models for years.
Storage and cargo space
The Sportage is huge all the way around, with a hold that claims best-in-class cargo space of 39.6 cubic feet with the back seats in place. It doesn’t steal its luggage to make extra room for people. The Honda CR-V has a slightly larger luggage space with the seats folded down (76.5 cubes compared to 74.1 cubes for the Sportage). At the same time, the Plug-In’s charging technology decreases overall cargo capacity to 65.5 cu ft on that model alone. Managing goods is more straightforward, with a two-level rear luggage floor and remote flipper handle to fold down the seats.
Small-item storage on the Sportage is done neatly. The central console is thin but quite deep, and the front cupholders include deployable pop-outs that encircle the base of the cup to accommodate different-sized drinking cups. The Sportage owner will never be out of creative places to store and arrange their belongings thanks to various cutting-edge features embedded into the rear of the front seat, including USB connections and a sculpted coat rack.
Style and Design Kia Sportage
The Sportage features the aesthetics for which the word “polarizing” was developed because of a design concept Kia calls “Opposites United.” However, it has a similar style to the bold, futuristic designs that Kia and Hyundai have been producing lately. This sleek new Sportage is the antithesis of an “anonymous crossover” with its sculpted body, various textures and finishes, and brilliant LED highlights. The Sportage’s optional Shadow Matte Gray satin-metallic paint gives it an exotic look, and I noticed that more people were rubbernecking this crossover than any other I’ve recently driven.
Although it forgoes crazy style in favor of a more upscale atmosphere, the inside is no less remarkable. The sizeable continuous screen dominates the dash on everything except the base. At the same time, the center console’s few tiny buttons, which are color-matched to their piano-black backgrounds, add to the minimalist, smooth vibe. The only negative aspects are the obtrusive dial shifter (found exclusively on hybrid models) and the excess of piano black, which attracts lint. But altogether, this cabin seems authentically high-end thanks to its well-stitched-together feel and lack of evident cost-cutting.
The Kia Sportage 2023: Is It Worth It?
Sportage LX with FWD at the basic trim level begins at $27,285, including delivery. This is a staggering $5,070 less than the least expensive CR-V and $1,395 less than the Escape’s most economical model. The beginning prices for hybrid vehicles are equally appealing, with the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid starting at $39,785 and the Sportage Hybrid starting at $28,585 (compared to the starting prices for the Toyota RAV4 Prime at $41,635 and the CR-V Hybrid at $33,255, respectively). The Ford Escape Plug-In is less expensive, coming in at $37,595, but it lacks the rivals’ standard AWD.
The Sportage continues to be amazingly affordable for what you receive as you go up the grades. Only $2,000 separates the second-from-base EX from the LX. Still, it adds pushbutton and remote start as standard features, heated and powered side mirrors with LED turn signals, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, a larger central touchscreen with navigation, and heated front seats with 10-way power for the driver. For purchasers who aren’t interested in going hybrid, it’s a simple decision.
Upgrade to one of the hybrid models to eliminate the clunky basic engine. If you forego the high-maintenance matte paint, a fully equipped Hybrid SX Prestige costs $37,485 and comes with standard AWD and all the technological features discussed above. That’s a few thousand less than the RAV4 Hybrid, which, although more powerful and fuel-efficient, demands you pay even more for the optional panoramic roof and certain tech features. Even though the Sportage Hybrid may be the best value among its rivals, the superior Plug-In’s sub-$40,000 price tag makes it alluring.
How much will insurance for a 2023 Kia Sportage cost?
A typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record may anticipate an average yearly premium of $1,850 for gasoline-powered vehicles and more than $1,970 for the plug-in hybrid variations; however, this moderate covers all 50 states. For the standard model and the Escape PHEV, a Ford Escape owner could spend roughly $1,853 and $1,915, respectively. Although not a plug-in, the Honda CR-V comes in at around $1750 for the gasoline-powered variants and $1,972 for the hybrid.
Verdict
Kia’s revamped Sportage is well-positioned to stand out in the congested compact crossover sector thanks to its contemporary aesthetics, plush interior, and stunning new screens. But the Sportage differentiates itself with handy new technology and a pair of economical hybrid powertrains, so it’s more than flash and sizzle. It is also much more extensive than its predecessor, both inside and out, taking it from the category of a shrimpy crossover and elevating it to that of a comfortable people-mover with good cargo capacity. The Sportage is still one of the most reasonably priced small crossovers on the market, even after adding many high-tech features and upscale touches.
