The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV, a plug-in hybrid version of the automaker’s small SUV with a planned electric-only range of 32 miles, will add one more electrified car to Kia’s lineup.
Late last year, Kia unveiled its fifth-generation Sportage, which was soon followed by a Sportage Hybrid model. The Sportage PHEV joins the range and offers plug-in power and a larger battery pack.
A 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and a 66.9-kW electric motor are combined under the hood to power the SUV. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. That means the conventional hybrid variant has a stronger e-motor but less combustion power. Since the total system output hasn’t been specified and hybrid math is never as straightforward as addition, we’ll be on the lookout for more detailed specifications as we get closer to the Sportage PHEV’s debut.
Before the combustion engine kicks in, Kia has stated that it aims to achieve 32 miles of electric range with a 2-hour recharge at a level 2 home or public charger. At the J1772 plug’s business end, the plug-in Sportage will have a 7.2 kW high-efficiency onboard charger that will supply power to a 13.8 kWh lithium polymer battery. If the Sportage PHEV’s 39.5-inch rear legroom (1.8 inches shorter than the non-PHEV) and 34.5-cubic-foot load space (down 2.1 cubes) are to be believed, the battery may also marginally encroach into the interior.
The Sportage PHEV will come in two models, the X-Line and X-Line Prestige, both of which should be outfitted with features like the dual 12.3-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, as well as optional extras like a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Both trims come with Downhill Brake Control, configurable drive modes, and standard all-wheel drive. Additionally, according to Kia, the PHEV’s Integrated Electronic Brake system can combine hydraulic and regenerative braking for a better energy recovery rate than its rivals. This should extend the range of the electric motor and improve fuel economy in general.
The estimated efficiency and price will be revealed closer to the third quarter of this year’s launch of the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV variants.
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Is the Kia Sportage electrified in 2022?
According to Kia, the latest fifth-generation Sportage SUV’s plug-in hybrid model can travel up to 43 miles on electric power alone. Competitor vehicles like the Nissan Qashqai, Citroen C5 Aircross, Ford Kuga, and Vauxhall Grandland may also achieve fuel efficiency ratings of up to 252 mpg and CO2 emissions of 25 g/km.
The first Kia Sportage PHEV consequently earns a very low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company-car tax rate of 8% during the 20222023 fiscal year, which is less than one-fourth of the rate for diesel models. It will be crucial to consider these possible savings when making a purchase because, while the entry-level Sportage starts at just under 27,000 and goes up to 33,245 for the full-hybrid, costs for the plug-in version range from 38,395 to 43,795 depending on trim level.
In addition to being the first Sportage PHEV introduction by Kia, this is also a version of the family SUV designed specifically for the European market. The appearance and interior are mostly carried over from the international version, although it is more compact and has a slightly shorter wheelbase, making it more suitable for European roads.
We have only driven a prototype of the Sportage PHEV so far, but we have already driven the Sportage Hybrid in the UK (see our complete impressions here). In April 2022, the first client deliveries will start.
The 2023 Kia Sportage is electric, right?
Efficiency and Performance Every 2023 Sportage PHEV is anticipated to come with a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 177 horsepower in addition to an electric motor. AWD is standard, and a six-speed automatic transmission will be used to transfer power. Kia aims for a 32-mile all-electric driving range.
The Kia Sportage 2023: Is it a plug-in hybrid?
The revised 2023 Kia Sportage has just begun to arrive at dealerships, and I’ve got good news if you’re seeking for a little extra efficiency to go along with this crossover’s cutting looks. The new Sportage Hybrid has the same flamboyant exterior styling as the conventional SUV and is priced reasonably for all the technology and efficiency it offers.
LX, EX, and SX Prestige trim levels are available for Kia’s Sportage Hybrid. All-wheel drive is the only option for the other models; front-wheel drive is only offered on the LX. No of the drivetrain, all Sportage Hybrids use a 44-kilowatt electric motor and a 1.6-liter turbocharged I4 engine. The car has a modest 1.5-kWh battery, but since it’s a regular hybrid rather than a plug-in hybrid, there isn’t any reasonable expectation of an all-electric driving range. If a Sportage PHEV with a 32-mile electric range appeals to you more, Kia will soon offer one.)
Most driving tasks are handled by the turbocharged gas engine, but when extra chutzpah is needed, the electric motor easily switches in. The Sportage Hybrid produces a respectable 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque when everything is combined. When in Eco mode, the Sportage Hybrid is strong and effective, but when in Sport mode, the performance becomes substantially more aggressive.
This gasoline-electric drivetrain is paired by Kia with a standard six-speed automatic transmission. In the default Eco setting, downshifting is a little sluggish, but Sport speeds up the shift timing considerably; there are even paddle shifters if you prefer to manually change gears. All in all, a challenging hill climb west of Palm Springs, California, is easily conquered by the Sportage Hybrid. Although there is a reasonable degree of body roll, the Sportage feels assured and composed when traveling at a high speed.
Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the Sportage Hybrid with front-wheel drive will achieve 42 mpg in the city, 44 mpg on the highway, and 43 mpg on the combined road. All-wheel drive, though, lowers those numbers to an average of 38 mpg. That’s unfortunate because all-wheel-drive models of the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 hybrids achieve combined fuel economy of 40 mpg.
The new Sportage X-Pro, which sadly cannot be matched with the hybrid powertrain, should be mentioned before I continue. Instead, you get the 187 horsepower 2.5-liter naturally aspirated I4 from Kia. The 29-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tires on this tough Sportage have a moderately aggressive tread pattern and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. To cater for the various tires, the X-drive Pro’s modes and all-wheel drive system have been slightly modified. Although the X-approach, Pro’s departure, and breakover angles (at 18.9, 26.6, and 19.3 degrees, respectively) aren’t very noteworthy, this Sportage can nevertheless lift a wheel and continue to go ahead.
No of the model, the Sportage has a well-designed interior with plush seats that may be upholstered in SynTex faux leather or cloth. Although there are a few harsh plastic parts here and there, they are all textured to give the cabin a more expensive appearance overall. Additionally, because the new Sportage is 7 inches longer than the outgoing model, there is more room for both rows of passengers to stretch out as well as extra cargo space: 39.5 cubic feet behind the back seats.
Inside the Sportage, there are some nice extras like USB ports incorporated into the seat backs and hooks for hanging bags on the back of each headrest. My top-tier Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige has all the bells and whistles, including a nice, built-in blindspot camera on the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
The Sportage, like other new Kia vehicles, comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, upgrading to the bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen necessitates a wired smartphone connection. Although Kia claims to be actively addressing this issue, the carmaker is still unsure of when wireless connectivity will be functional with the larger display. The Kia Connect system is reliable and simple to use, with rapid reaction times and bright, clear images, even if you decide against using smartphone mirroring.
Driving aids including lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning are standard on base Sportages. When you choose the top model, you get all of that and more, including Kia’s Highway Drive Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and is a true stress-reliever. Even without being inside the car, you can maneuver the Sportage into and out of confined spots with the help of remote parking assistance.
The base price of the 2023 Kia Sportage is $27,245 plus $1,255 for destination, but the least expensive Sportage Hybrid is $28,545. That is less expensive than comparable hybrid models from Ford, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota, but adding options will inevitably drive up the MSRP. The top-of-the-line SX Prestige costs $37,445, but that’s still less than what a new car costs on average these days, and given all you receive for the money, it feels like a more than fair amount.
Is there a hybrid Sportage from Kia?
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.
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.