The Sportage has been a mainstay of Kia’s lineup since the mid-1990s. For the 2023 model year, this popular sporty crossover SUV features an appealing redesign of the body and the addition of a hybrid powertrain. Let’s see what the all-new Sportage Hybrid has to offer.
Exterior and Trim Levels
Photo by Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash
The 2023 Kia Sportage is a looker, encompassing what the automaker dubs an “opposites united” approach to design. This philosophy, as applied to the Sportage Hybrid, leads to futuristic boomerang-style daytime running lights and angular fenders, a shoulder line that appears crisp toward the front and muscular toward the rear, a unique “tiger nose” grille, and a gently curved hood that carries Kia’s updated logo. The overall effect is both gentle and bold.
For the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) version of the Sportage Hybrid, you can choose from three different trims:
- LX.
- EX.
- SX Prestige.
All three measure 183.5 inches in length and 73.4 inches in width. The base LX model is slightly shorter than the others, standing at 65.4 inches tall without roof rails, compared to the 66.1-inch height of the EX and SX Prestige. If you opt for roof rails, you will gain an additional 1.2 inches of height.
Kia will also introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, which is available in two trims:
- X-Line.
- X-Line Prestige.
On the exterior, the PHEVs are largely identical to the HEVs, except they are even taller, standing at 66.9 inches.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood of the 2023 Kia Sportage HEV is a 1.6 turbo GDI engine paired with a single permanent magnet synchronous motor. With a six-speed automatic transmission, these vehicles are capable of generating 227 total system horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The all-wheel-drive-only PHEV is powered by a 1.6-liter turbo plug-in hybrid engine and a 66.9 kW electric motor for a combined output of 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Like the HEV, the powertrain pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission.
When it comes to towing capacity, the 2023 Sportage Hybrid is a decent contender for its class. Both the HEV and PHEV models, across all trim levels, have a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs with trailer brakes, which decreases to 1,653 lbs without the brakes. In both cases, the vehicle has sufficient power to handle a variety of recreational trailers.
Interior and Features
With the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, you get a well-designed interior regardless of the specific powertrain and trim you choose. This four-door SUV has seating for five people and provides 104 to 109 cubic feet of passenger volume. Legroom is ample no matter where you’re sitting. Both the HEV and the PHEV models measure 41.4 inches in the front row. In the rear, you get a generous 41.3 inches with the former and 39.5 inches with the latter.
The Sportage doesn’t skimp on the cargo space either. Its dual-level cargo floor provides additional height in the cargo area when necessary. With the floor placed at its default level, you get 34.5 inches of cargo space behind the second row, which is expandable to over 65 inches when you fold down the rear row. Lowering the floor increases the amount of space to 39.5 and over 73 inches, respectively.
In terms of design quality, the Sportage Hybrid displays a high-end appearance. Depending on your trim options, you get high-quality cloth or SynTex upholstery. Even the plastic components look premium and uphold the generally luxurious aesthetic. Front and rear USB Type-C chargers are standard for most trims, as are integrated coat hangers on the headrests (only the LX HEV does not include these features as standard).
The touch screen in the center stack measures 12.3 inches for higher-end trims (8 inches for the LX HEV). Integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard. The number of driver-assistance features is extensive, and all Sportage Hybrids come standard with:
- A driver attention warning system.
- Forward-collision avoidance assist.
- High-beam assist.
- Lane-following and lane-keep assist.
- Rear parking distance warning.
For higher-end trims, you also get the following:
- Rear blind-spot collision avoidance assist.
- Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.
- Smart cruise control.
- Highway driving assist.
- Forward parking distance warning.
- Rear parking collision avoidance.
- Safe exit warning.
- Remote smart parking assist.
- Surround-view monitor.
- Blind-view monitor.
Fuel Economy
Supplemented with an electric motor, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid achieves impressive mileage per gallon. The HEV models vary slightly across trim levels. The base LX is the most fuel-efficient, achieving 42 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway for a combined economy of 43 mpg. The upper-level trims achieve approximately 38 mpg in both city and highway scenarios.
As for the PHEV Sportage, the numbers are impressive. The vehicle has an all-electric range of 34 miles at both trim levels. The EPA estimates for its fuel economy are 35 mpg and 84 MPGe. Altogether, you can enjoy a total driving range of 430 miles before you need to refuel. With that, you could drive from McKinney to Oklahoma City and back on a single tank and charge.
Price
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid starts at $27,290 for the base LX trim. From there, the MSRPs for the HEV models increase incrementally up to $30,990 for the EX and $36,190 for the SX Prestige.
Official pricing information for the PHEV is not yet available. However, industry experts expect the plug-ins to be generally pricier than the HEVs, starting at approximately $35,000.
If you’d like to learn more about the 2023 Kia Sportage or any of the other great models in our new or used inventory, let us know. Call us on 469-525-4400 to speak directly with an associate. Alternatively, submit an online contact form with your name, contact information, and message, and a representative will contact you at your earliest convenience.
You’re also more than welcome to stop by our dealership on 1201 N. Central Expressway in McKinney, Texas. We’re open Monday through Saturday, with sales hours from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. We look forward to helping you find the vehicle you want, with financing options that are right for you.