Compact SUVs continue to be the most popular vehicles on the market, but considering the sky-high gas prices of today, the hybrid segment of these vehicles may be even more popular. At a time when other manufacturers have already introduced hybrid versions of their compact crossovers, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid debuts on the market. However, the Sportage Hybrid stands out from the competition thanks to its aggressive appearance, best-in-class front-drive fuel economy, and cheaper starting price.
The Sportage Hybrid is superior to the conventional model, producing greater power and using less petrol for only a little cost of between $900 and $1,300. Opting for all-wheel drive will raise the price and reduce the mpg statistics.
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Why You Should Buy the Sportage Hybrid
As if obtaining more power and improved fuel economy weren’t enough, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid asks for almost no concessions. The top-of-the-line SX-Prestige trim, which costs $37,545, comes standard with all-wheel drive and starts at $28,545, but we spent time driving it. The quality of the materials and added technologies are noticeable in the not insignificant price difference, but any model in the Sportage Hybrid portfolio will meet your needs. And those costs are competitive with those of comparable small hybrid SUVs.
No matter the specification, the Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6-liter turbo-four engine and 44-kW electric motor combine to provide 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While the all-wheel-drive systems on the EX and SX-Prestige trims can split the power between the front and rear axles when necessary, the base LX trim sends all of that power to the front wheels.
Because of its front-drive configuration, the LX achieves EPA ratings of 42/44/43 mpg in city/highway/combined driving, as we previously said. Since the EX and SX-Prestige models are rated for 38/38/38 mpg, they aren’t too far off. The AWD figures are competitive even though they are not class-leading.
Overall, this is precisely the case for choosing the Sportage Hybrid over the standard model. You’ll be able to offset the price premium at the pump and benefit from greater performance while driving.
How Does it Drive?
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid accelerates quickly and smoothly, with the electric motor supplying immediate torque that is rapidly supplemented by the power of the turbo. When rolling from a halt, the effect is a strong punch.
The Sportage seems more potent in practice even though its 0-60 mph pace of 7.2 seconds and quarter-mile time of 15.5 seconds at 90.3 mph aren’t particularly impressive. Chris Walton, editor of Road Test, remarked that there was a lot of dive and roll during our skidpad test but praised the acceleration as being “outstanding with very seamless shifts.” The 3,902 curb weight of the Sportage doesn’t help much, especially because nearly 60% of it is on the front axle. Compact SUVs aren’t recognized for having excellent body and dive control.
The suspension does a fair job of isolating vibrations from the cabin, but on badly damaged pavement, things start to feel a little uneasy. The Sportage is a comfy cruiser, nevertheless, on softer roads and highways. Even at high speeds, the cabin is quiet, and the ride is tranquil overall.
The steering of an SUV in this market is exactly what we would anticipate.
Although it is accurate and linear, we find it to be too light. Even with the weight added by sport mode, it still falls short of being considered athletic. This is a minor complaint, though, and the majority of customers will be content with the way the Sportage hybrid steers.
How’s the Interior?
It’s good news that the new Sportage is significantly wider and longer than the previous model. Adults may fit comfortably in the front or back seats, and there is plenty of cargo capacity. The cargo floor may be modified between two heights, and the rear seats can be folded from the cargo area or via a lever next to the seats.
The Sportage’s interior design is spectacular in addition to the increased space and improved packaging. We’re used to seeing this level of attention to detail in a premium SUV, not a $38,000 mainstream crossover. We did have the top-trim model, but the EX offers an even greater deal because it offers the majority of the features and technologies found in the SX-Prestige at a much lesser cost. The two 12.3-inch curved screens appear to have been adapted from a Mercedes-Benz product, while the stylish door handles and air vents provide style to otherwise purely practical parts. We enjoy the large storage in the center stack and the premium appearance of the dashboard.
The new capacitive touch switchgear for the radio and climate control, which is located under the central air vents, isn’t all great, either. To switch between these features, which also affects the two knobs flanking the screen, you must push a button on the screen. The driver’s temperature and volume are controlled by the same knob. This is very aggravating since, as we experienced repeatedly during our test, trying to lower the volume can actually cause you to lower the temperature.
Aside from that, the interior is a pleasant spot to hang out. The leatherette on the steering wheel and seats seems classy, but some of the plastics on the door panels don’t fit the overall upscale mood. Everything you need in terms of technology is available, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, if you want to use those smartphone mirroring features, the infotainment system doesn’t enable wireless connectivity, so you’ll need to connect your device with a cable.
Is the Sportage Hybrid Worth It?
The Sportage to purchase is the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. It offers more power and mpg for only a small price premium, which is a nice trade-off. The hybrid SUV handles the road with comfort thanks to the punchy powerplant. Although not particularly impressive, its handling is at least on line with that of the other compact SUVs on the market. Additionally, the fact that this is the first Sportage Hybrid makes its perfection all the more remarkable. Expect it to swiftly gain traction in the market for eco-friendly compact SUVs, which is growing in popularity.
The Kia Sportage 2023: Is it a plug-in hybrid?
The new five-passenger small SUV for 2023 is the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. It joins other electrified Kias like the Niro, Sorento, and EV6 that have either an all-electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain and share the same platform as the midsize SUV Sorento.
Which models of Kia are hybrids?
Kia provides two different hybrid car models. Full Parallel Hybrid technology powers the Kia Niro and Sorento Hybrid vehicles. A motorized electric drive unit is connected to the Kia Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engine. Depending on your driving conditions, both motors can operate cooperatively or independently to give the perfect power to achieve the highest levels of fuel efficiency. Regenerative braking is another ingenious feature of the Full Parallel Hybrid system. The electric traction motor absorbs kinetic energy as it slows down and stores it in the battery. Kia hybrid vehicles include benefits such as lower emissions, fewer trips to the gas station, and smooth power delivery.
Electric vehicles, also referred to as EVs or plug-in hybrids, only use electricity as a source of power. The exciting all-electric Kia EV6 and the nimble Kia Niro EV are two examples of this kind of vehicle. Simply connect the car to a 240V or 480V Direct-Current Fast Charge station or a regular household outlet to begin charging.
Does Kia make hybrid SUV?
The second-largest SUV and biggest hybrid vehicle produced by Kia is the three-row Sorento Hybrid. Its starting price falls between the lineup’s new Sorento Plug-in Hybrid and the less costly non-hybrid Sorento. The brand’s other hybrid SUV is the considerably smaller Niro.
How far can a hybrid Kia Sportage go?
All Sportage PHEV variants come with all-wheel drive and emit 25g/km of CO2. According to Kia, the vehicle has a city electric range of up to 48 miles and can score 252 mpg on the highway. A 7.2kW charger can recharge the car’s 13.8kWh battery in less than two hours.
How does the hybrid Sportage operate?
A hybrid vehicle combines the power of both an electric motor and a combustion engine, unlike a traditional gas-powered vehicle, which is driven by its combustion engine.
It makes use of the combustion engine or collaborates with the electric motor to reduce fuel consumption, store energy, and in some circumstances even recover energy while driving (e.g. starting, cruising, braking, stopping, etc.).
Fuel efficiency as a result is significantly improved. Particularly for erratic city driving.
Are Kia hybrids trustworthy?
Is the hybrid Kia Sorento dependable? The estimated dependability rating for the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is 77 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
What distinguishes a hybrid from a plug-in hybrid?
When you drive a standard hybrid car, the batteries are constantly being charged by the gas engine. Standard hybrid vehicles increase fuel efficiency by switching back and forth between their gas and electric motors. Plug-in hybrids have a bigger battery that is charged in your Tampa house using a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet.
Where is the hybrid Kia Sportage produced in 2023?
This spring saw the debut of the first-ever Kia Sportage Hybrid in American showrooms. In contrast to its sister equipped with an internal combustion engine, which Kia now makes at its West Point, Georgia, production facility, the carmaker constructs the Sportage Hybrid and PHEV in Gwangju, South Korea. Later in 2022, the Sportage PHEV will arrive on sale.
There are only three trim levels available for the Sportage Hybrid: LX, EX, and SX-Premium. The entry-level LX is front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive being an option (AWD). The only AWD grades are the EX and SX-Prestige. The Sportage Hybrid’s powertrain consists of a high-output 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a turbocharged 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine, and a 44 kW electric motor. 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque are produced collectively. An automatic six-speed transmission is the norm.
The base LX FWD Sportage Hybrid costs $28,545 (plus $1,255 in destination charges). Configurations with all-wheel drive will cost an additional $1,800. The starting price for the mid-range EX trim is $32,245 while the price for the top-of-the-line SX-Prestige is $37,445.
I tried a Sportage Hybrid SX-Premium for this evaluation. Additional choices included carpeted floor mats ($155) and premium Shadow Matte Gray paint ($595). The complete MSRP came at $38,155.
Is buying a hybrid worth it?
Savings: You will frequently save on fuel prices because hybrid vehicles help you save on gas. There are still other potential savings though! You’ll ultimately save more money because to the tax breaks that many jurisdictions provide to people who drive electric or hybrid cars.