Used 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is an all-new compact crossover SUV with a fuel-efficient hybrid setup. It went on sale in early 2022 as a 2023 model.

It comes in LX, EX, and SX-Prestige trim levels. All-wheel drive is optional in the LX and standard in the two higher trims.

This is the latest variant of an all-new non-hybrid Kia Sportage (reviewed separately) making its debut at the same time. The outgoing Sportage didn’t compare well with its rivals in terms of occupant and cargo space, but this new model is 7.1 inches longer overall, with a wheelbase that’s 3.4 inches longer.

With its assertive styling and unbeatable warranties (10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrains), there’s a good chance that the new Sportage — the hybrid model or otherwise — is going to be yet another Kia success story.

Driving a hybrid can mean sacrificing some performance in exchange for better fuel economy. With the new Kia Sportage Hybrid, that’s not the case.

The turbocharged Sportage Hybrid boasts 227 horsepower compared to only 187 hp in the non-hybrid Sportage. Naturally, the hybrid is much more fuel-efficient, up to 43 combined mpg (front-wheel drive) compared to 28 mpg for the non-hybrid. Adding all-wheel drive comes with a fuel-economy penalty, in this case dropping the EPA combined fuel economy of the Sportage Hybrid to a still impressive 38 mpg.

KBB drove a 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige, a luxurious all-wheel-drive model equipped with only two options: Shadow Matte Gray paint ($595) and carpeted floor mats ($155).

Even though it has a reasonably small 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, the new Sportage Hybrid accelerates reasonably quickly, aided by a 6-speed automatic transmission that delivers power to all four wheels in a refined fashion and never feels like it’s hunting for the right gear. In Sport mode, or when shifting via paddles on the steering wheel, the driving experience can be quite engaging.

You’ll also notice that the new Sportage is longer than before. In fact, it feels like it has moved up a size in class and comfort, but the good overall agility of this Korean-built crossover SUV remains. The 2023 Sportage Hybrid feels planted in turns, with body roll kept well in check.

While we like the quality, quietness, efficiency, style, cargo room, and voluminous back seat of the new Sportage Hybrid, we’re not big fans of the single control panel on the center stack that toggles between the climate and audio. While it’s pretty nifty how the knobs used to set the interior temperature on each side become the respective volume and station dials for the stereo, nobody likes having to call up the correct control panel each time you want to make a quick temperature or station adjustment.

On a positive note, we were thoroughly impressed by the Kia DriveWise driver-assistance tech features. It’s not hard to find features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control at this price point these days, but this is one of the best systems on the market. These features are helpful and never feel intrusive.

Due to the regenerative braking, some hybrid cars and SUVs suffer from an overly sensitive brake pedal feel. While it’s a little noticeable in the Sportage Hybrid, the brakes still deliver a nice and progressive feel that’s only slightly different from a non-hybrid SUV.

Adding all-wheel drive will make the Sportage Hybrid better on snowy roads, especially in the snow driving mode with the center differential locked. Of note, all-wheel-drive (AWD) models have 8.3 inches of ground clearance, an inch more than standard (front-wheel-drive) FWD Sportages.

Every new Sportage Hybrid has a spacious interior made with quality materials. The top SX-Prestige trim has dual 12.3-inch driver information and infotainment displays, integrated to become one unit. Mercedes-Benz offers a similar feature in many of its vehicles. The whole dashboard design in general has a luxury look.

Rear legroom measures 41.3 inches, which is as good as this class gets. The SX-Prestige trim is the exception, with 39.5 inches — still roomy.

Kia claims a similarly expansive luggage area of 39.5 cubic feet behind the 60/40 split/folding rear seats. That’s virtually the same as the new, non-hybrid Sportage. We can assume that the extra hybrid components haven’t created any packaging compromises. Maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded should be about 74 cubic feet.

Taking the innovative design of the K5 sedan to another level, the new Sportage has an undeniable presence. Moving away from the least expensive LX trim, the 2023 Sportage Hybrid EX and SX-Prestige come with 18-inch alloy wheels, integrated LED turn signals in the side mirrors, gloss black grille, roof rack, and a panoramic sunroof.

HYBRID DRIVETRAIN
It isn’t just the fuel economy and lower emissions that makes a hybrid so tempting, it’s also the extra thrust from the electric side. And Kia covers it with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

WIRELESS SMARTPHONE INTEGRATION
We’ve come to expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be standard in most new cars, but the extra convenience of a wireless connection is always welcome. This is standard in the 2023 Sportage Hybrid.

The front-drive LX trim is the most affordable new Sportage Hybrid, coming with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, rear occupant alert, rear parking sensors, and a Walk Away lock.

Safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assistance/lane departure warning, lane-following assistance, and driver attention monitoring.

The infotainment system has wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth, one USB-C port, six speakers, and an 8-inch touchscreen.

All-wheel drive is optional in the LX, along with heated side mirrors and heated front seats. These are all standard in the rest of the 2023 Sportage Hybrid lineup.

The EX model also adds 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, hands-free tailgate operation, keyless entry/start, one-touch up/down power windows, LED interior lighting, simulated leather seating surfaces, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, Safe Exit Warning, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice control, navigation, wireless charging, three USB-C ports in the back, and satellite radio.

SX-Prestige tops the range with LED projection headlights, LED fog lights, tinted/heated windshield, heated wiper nozzles, 12.3-inch panoramic curved driver information display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, ambient cabin lighting, Harman Kardon audio system, junction assistance, Highway Driving Assist, navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, front parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, Blind-Spot View Monitor, self-parking feature, and a 360-degree camera system.

Every new Sportage Hybrid has a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine (running on regular 87-octane) complemented by two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors powered by a lithium-ion battery.

In the LX trim, front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option. The EX and SX-Prestige versions have all-wheel drive as standard. In all cases, the transmission is a 6-speed automatic.

Maximum towing capacity is 2,000 pounds.

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 + two electric motors
226 total horsepower
258 lb-ft of total torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 42 mpg/44 mpg (FWD), 38 mpg/38 mpg (AWD)

More Sportage Hybrid fuel economy information is available at the EPA’s website.

Great Safety Scores

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid earns the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation for its top “Good” rating in every crashworthiness category.

Class-Leading Warranty

The Sportage Hybrid is covered by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That makes it tied with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid for the best warranty coverage in its class.