2023 Kia Sportage

Overview

The 2023 Kia Sportage separates itself from the throng of compact crossovers with its extroverted styling. The Kia’s unconventional face features a set of alien-looking headlights and a distinct grille design. Its bolder bodywork is also dimensionally bigger than before, which translates to more cargo space and a roomier interior. Inside, the new Sportage is both attractive and packed with tech that includes a massive dash-mounted screen. Motivation comes from a 187-hp four-cylinder, a 226-hp hybrid powertrain, or a more powerful plug-in-hybrid model with an estimated electric range of 34 miles. Competition is tough from segment stalwarts such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V, but the 2023 Sportage proves it has more to offer than just a wild-looking exterior.

What’s New for 2023?

The Sportage enters a new generation for the 2023 model year and offers newly available hybrid and plug-in-hybrid powertrains. The latter addition gives the Kia a competitor to plug-in alternatives such as the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 Prime.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

LX

$27,615

LX Hybrid

$28,815

EX

$29,615

X-Line

$32,415

$32,515

SX

$33,115

SX Prestige

$35,115

X-Pro

$36,615

SX Prestige Hybrid

$37,715

X-Pro Prestige

$38,415

X Line Hybrid

$40,015

X Line Prestige Hybrid

$44,515

We’d suggest the optional hybrid powertrain, as it feels more responsive on the road and offers improved fuel economy as a bonus. The mid-range EX hybrid appears to offer the most value here, adding desirable features such as the larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone charging, and heated front seats. The Premium package may also be of interest to some buyers, as it adds a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, and a power liftgate.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Sportage’s default powertrain is a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder that mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid variant mixes a turbocharged 1.6-liter four with a single electric motor that generates a combined 226 horses. Either powertrain can be paired with front- or all-wheel drive. There’s also an all-wheel-drive-only plug-in hybrid that shares its gasoline engine with the regular hybrid but adds a more powerful electric motor and a bigger battery pack. We sampled both the base four-cylinder and the hybrid powertrain during our initial test drive and were more satisfied with the latter than the former. The hybrid’s extra power and low-end push from the electric motor make it feel much more responsive. When we tested the plug-in hybrid model, it zipped to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds at our test track. The Sportage rides on a new platform with a longer wheelbase and ride comfort is improved as a result. The introduction of rugged-looking trims such as the X-Line gives the compact ute an off-road vibe, but the X-Pro actually has some equipment to help tackle the rough stuff. It rides on black 17-inch rims and all-terrain tires, and features a selection of drive modes.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

According to the EPA, the PHEV model can go 34 miles on electricity alone before the gasoline engine will need to fire up to keep the Sportage moving. It uses the same setup as the plug-in hybrid variant of the Hyundai Tucson and features a 13.8-kWh battery pack and 261 combined horsepower.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Sportage with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder is rated for 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway when equipped with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive models are rated for 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway by the EPA. The front-drive hybrid is rated for up to 42 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. The EPA has rated the plug-in-hybrid model for 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. An all-wheel-drive Sportage Hybrid achieved 31 mpg, on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is 7 mpg short of its EPA rating. For more information about the Sportage’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Sportage makes an impression with a snazzy design highlighted by a huge digital display on the dashboard and other various eye-catching details. The interior is available in an attractive two-tone color scheme as an option, but if you prefer an all-black cabin that’s available too. The center console boasts a rotary shift knob, a push-to-start button, and a myriad of other controls that blend into the piano-black bezel. Thanks to bigger dimensions overall as well as a longer wheelbase, the Sportage has more rear-seat legroom and 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat. There’s also a dual-level cargo floor for even more versatility.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

On the infotainment front, the Sportage comes standard with desirable features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.0-inch infotainment display is standard and all models come with a digital gauge display, too. We’d suggest upgrading to the larger infotainment display, though, which measures 12.3 inches in diameter and provides more connectivity and crisper graphics. There are also neat touch-sensitive controls below the infotainment interface that alternate between the climate system and the stereo. An upgraded Harman/Kardon unit is available as well as a wireless phone charger and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The new Sportage features a variety of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. The roster includes everything from navigation-based adaptive cruise control and a remote parking feature that’s essentially the same as Hyundai’s Smart Park system. For more information about the Sportage’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Available blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Kia boasts one of the best warranty plans out there, with the longest powertrain warranty in the industry. However, it lacks the complimentary maintenance of competitors such as Toyota and even its corporate sibling, Hyundai.

Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications

2023 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige AWD

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE

Base/As Tested: $44,285/$44,680

Options: Dawning Red premium paint, $395

POWERTRAIN

Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 177 hp, 195 lb-ft + 1 AC motor, 90 hp, 224 lb-ft (combined output: 261 hp, 258 lb-ft; 13.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 7.2-kW onboard charger)

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

CHASSIS

Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink

Brakes, F/R: 12.6-in vented disc/11.9-in disc

Tires: Michelin Primacy A/S

235/55R-19 101V M+S

DIMENSIONS


Passenger Volume: 100 ft3

Cargo Volume: 35 ft3

Curb Weight: 4250 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 6.9 sec

1/4-Mile: 15.2 sec @ 93 mph

100 mph: 17.5 sec

Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.

Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.1 sec

Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.3 sec

Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec

Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.84 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 31 MPGe

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/City/Highway: 35/36/35mpg

Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 84 MPGe

EV Range: 34 mi

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine and -motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $37,715 /$38,310
Options: Matte paint, $595

POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, 177 hp, 195 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 17 and 59 hp, 32 and 195 lb-ft (combined output: 227 hp, 258 lb-ft; 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission: 6-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Tires: Goodyear Assurance Finesse
235/60R-18 103H M+S C11L

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.5 in
Length: 183.5 in
Width: 73.4 in
Height: 66.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/50 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 74/40 ft3
Curb Weight: 3905 lb

C/D  TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.6 sec @ 90 mph
100 mph: 19.9 sec
120 mph: 36.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 124 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Driving: 31 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 420 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 38/38/38 mpg

C/D Testing Explained 

More Features and Specs