2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Review: Quick Take

Recently, we held a massive 2022 AutoGuide Compact SUV Comparison test presented by NRS brakes. We’re now going to take a closer look at one of the entries in that battle royale, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid.

We could accuse the Kia Sportage of being a cold, calculated approach to the segment. It’s one of the longest, it has the most space, its price is low, etc etc. More than a mere numbers game, the Sportage pairs smart, practical features with an efficient hybrid powertrain to make it one of the top choices.

The 2023 edition of the Sportage certainly can’t be accused of blending in. The styling is striking, a squinty front end advancing the Kia’s Tiger Nose styling for a new era. The LED daytime running lights (DRLs) dominate the front end, separating the main headlights from the large grille. The rear-end treatment has hints of the brand’s EV6 electric crossover. A strong rear shoulder and a tapering glass section visually stretch the Sportage’s profile, but make no mistake, at 183.5 inches (4,660 millimeters) long, it’s one of the largest offerings in the class.

Hybrid models are biased towards on-road comfort, which means the attractive 18-inch alloy wheels you see here. (If your tastes skew more rugged, look at the Sportage X-Line or US-only X-Pro.)

It isn’t a look for everyone, but we’re happy to see Kia taking a chance in a segment that’s long been plagued by same-same styling.

Underneath those standout looks is the N3 platform, a longer, wider platform that really moves the Sportage upmarket. Increased use of high strength steel makes this a stiffer, more refined package, isolating the cabin from the worst road noise while keeping curb weight competitive.

Kia offers a trio of engine options in the latest Sportage. The default engine is the brand’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. We drove it at the Sportage launch and found it adequate, but the least impressive part of the package. The hybrid tested here swaps in a smaller 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot, and a six-speed auto instead of eight. Paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor drawing from a 1.49-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Sportage Hybrid puts down 227 hp and 258 lb-ft. AWD is optional in America, but standard in Canada.

There’s also a plug-in Sportage, which subs in a larger battery and more powerful electric motor. Horsepower is 261, and torque is unchanged at 258 lb-ft. Buyers can expect up to 34 miles (55 kilometers) of all-electric range.

As forward-thinking as that exterior is, the Sportage’s cabin design matches it. The dashboard is an angular design, the big air vents serving as sculptural focus points. Material quality is mostly great: in the afore-mentioned comparison, we ranked the Sportage above its platform-mate, the Hyundai Tucson, for interior quality. The worst spots are the rear door panels, which feel a little cheap. The expanse of piano black in the center console is guaranteed to stay clean for about 0.06 seconds, too.

If you’re going hybrid, the standard seating is black cloth. There are no less than three synthetic leather options in the US, including a great navy-and-white combo (like the one we experienced in the Sorento PHEV). Sorry Canada: it’s black and red only for you.

Front passengers enjoy plenty of room, and a large panoramic moonroof lets lots of light in. The second row is one of the more spacious in the class, matching the front’s available headroom (37.8 inches / 960 mm) and giving up just a tenth of an inch for legroom (41.3 in / 1,049 mm). This top-trim tester features heated seats in both rows, and ventilation up front.

That growth spurt has dramatically improved cargo space, too. Pop the powered liftgate and there’s 39.6 cubic feet (1,121 liters) back there; drop the rear seats and that expands to 74.1 cubes (2,098 L).

The curved, twin-screen setup in the Sportage wows. The central 12.3-inch screen covers main infotainment duties, while the configurable panel in front of the driver handles the instrument panel. The latter is easy to read, and offers a good amount of pertinent info at a glance. We don’t have many qualms with the current Kia infotainment system, though the main menu logos can be hard to read without pulling your eyes off the road. The color scheme looks cool, but it’s not the most practical.

While the swappable climate/audio control panel is confusing at first, at least it has physical rotary knobs. The Sportage earns bonus points for its smart USB-C ports, located on the front seat backs for easier access.

Kia hasn’t forgotten about safety, either. In addition to the usual passive safety features, the Sportage includes automated emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist, which handles stop-and-go traffic. A rear-seat monitor is also included, as is Kia’s clever Blind-Spot View Monitor, which replaces a digital dial with a live camera feed from the side mirror when a turn signal is active. This is one of the most useful features when you’re driving in the busy city.

There’s a grown-up feel to how the Sportage moves down the road, swallowing up bumps while maintaining a flat stance. While comfortable, the Sportage has enough handling chops to feel positive and composed down a twisting road. It’s no sports car, of course, but the Sportage sits much closer to the likes of the Mazda CX-5 than the class average. Steering feel is light, as expected.

The positive feelings continue with the hybrid powertrain. The 1.6-liter turbo-four and electric motor combine for an above-average 227 horsepower, plus a thick slug of instant-access torque right down low. The result is a car that feels genuinely quick when you ask it to be, and a quiet, efficient ride in the city. We’re talking an even 38 mpg across all measures with the AWD model. American buyers even have the option of sticking to front-drive, which ekes out a few more precious mpgs.

FAQs

How much does the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid cost?

The entry point for the hybrid model is $28,585 for the front-drive LX trim in the US. In Canada the lineup starts with the higher EX trim, and includes standard AWD, which explains its $38,645 CAD sticker. Sticking to purely gas, the front-drive Kia Sportage LX is $27,245 ($30,295 CAD).

How fuel efficient is the Kia Sportage Hybrid?

The AWD Hybrid scores an even 38 mpg across the board (6.2 L/100 km combined in Canada).

Does the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid have a third row?

No it does not. Check out its larger sibling, the Kia Sorento Hybrid.