Included in a total redesign of the Sportage nameplate, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid (HEV) is the third leg of the Sportage stool.
Rounding out the Sportage models are the gasoline-only Sportage and the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV). We detail each separately elsewhere.
In addition to its fresh styling, larger size, and advanced technology, there are two major takeaways. First, it has more than 500 miles of driving range. Second, the EPA says it will deliver up to 43 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.
Kia based the Sportage’s hybrid powertrain on that of the Hyundai Tucson. It consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine mated with a 44kW electric motor. A lithium-ion battery stores the juice.
This engine-motor collaboration produces a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters feeds the front wheels. With an extra 40 horsepower compared to the non-hybrid Sportage, the Sportage Hybrid delivers a surprising fun-to-drive factor, and the transmission manages that power nicely. The ride is comfortable and quiet, even on the highway.
Kia makes all-wheel drive (AWD) optional on the base trim and standard on the upper grades.
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is rated by the EPA at 42 mpg city/44 mpg highway/43 mpg combined with front-wheel drive (FWD), or 38 mpg city/38 mpg highway/38 mpg combined with all-wheel drive (AWD).
Kia pegs maximum towing for the Sportage HEV at 2,000 pounds.
In addition to the Tucson Hybrid, key Sportage rivals include the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Honda CR-V Hybrid.
There is plenty to like about the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. Obviously, it projects compelling curb appeal. It provides impressive rear legroom and cargo space. We also like its curved display screens (SX-Prestige).
Kia separates the Sportage Hybrid into three grades: LX, EX, and SX-Prestige.
Sportage Hybrid LX
Starts at $27,490 | See listings
- FWD with optional AWD
- Woven cloth upholstery
- 12.2-inch digital instrument panel
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 6-speaker audio
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Forward Collision Avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- See more
Sportage Hybrid EX
Starts at $31,190 | See listings
- AWD with locking center differential
- Syntex upholstery
- Power driver’s seat
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation
- SiriusXM
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Smart key with push-button start
- Blind-spot collision avoidance
- Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance
- See more
Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Starts at $36,390 | See listings
- AWD with locking center differential
- Premium Syntex upholstery
- Power front passenger seat
- Heated and vented front seats
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Panoramic sunroof
- Surround View Monitor
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Smart power tailgate
- Highway Driving Assist
- Navigation-based smart cruise control
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
- Junction Turning Detection
- See more
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX: $27,490
Seventeen-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lights (auto on-off headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights), and front-rear skid plates are included.
Other features include a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a 12.2-inch digital cluster, a 4.2-inch driver-information display, and cloth seating.
Remote keyless entry, hill-start assist, and cruise control are also standard.
The infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen, a 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and one USB port.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also included.
The driver aids are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist.
Rear-park assist, high-beam assist, and driver-attention warning are also standard.
Opting for AWD brings heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, and a locking center differential.
Adding the $1,325 destination fee to the LX Hybrid base price brings the total to $28,815. If you put $0 down and financed for 60 months at 5% interest, it works out to about $544 per month. See 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX includes:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – A set-it-and-forget-it system, it divides the vehicle into left and right regions. It provides separate temperature settings for each region. Once set, it automatically maintains the preset temperatures.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Not only can you access the music on your phone, but you can also send messages, receive messages, make calls, and so forth through your vehicle’s media system.
- Driver aids – They include rear-park assist, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-following assist.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX: $31,190
We could live quite happily with the EX Hybrid. It has a comprehensive standard features list but is still affordable.
The EX adds the LX options plus 18-inch alloy wheels, power outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a roof rack.
Also included are faux-leather seating, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
Also standard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, HD radio, voice recognition, wireless phone charging, and keyless entry with push-button start.
Added driver aids are blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Opting for the EX Premium Package adds a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power liftgate, and LED interior lighting.
Adding the $1,325 destination fee to Hybrid EX base price totals $32,515. Financing with $0 down for 60 months at 5% interest works out to a monthly payment of about $614. See 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX includes:
- Available hands-free power liftgate – The hatch opens automatically if it senses the key fob in the immediate vicinity for more than three seconds.
- 10-way power driver’s seat – This power-adjustable seat lets the driver set it for an ideal driving position.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen – This large display provides controls for several convenience systems and the navigation system.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige: $36,390
Building on the EX, the SX Prestige adds projection LED headlights, LED fog lights, a heated tinted windshield, and heated windshield-wiper nozzles.
Also standard are a 12.3-inch TFT curved digital cluster, upgraded faux-leather seating, and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat.
Ventilated front seats, a curved 12.3-inch touchscreen, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system are also included.
Additional driver-aid features include front-park assist, rear-park assist with braking, and a surround-view monitor.
Kia also includes its Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous driving aid and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.
Kia doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for the SX-Prestige Hybrid.
Adding the $1,325 destination fee to the SX Prestige base price equals $37,715. With $0 down, financing for 60 months at 5% interest works out to about $712 per month. See 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige models for sale near you
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige includes:
- Navigation-based adaptive cruise control – This highly advanced system factors road curves and other data to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead.
- Surround-view monitor – It provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view around the vehicle.
- Highway Driving Assist – This is Kia’s semi-autonomous driver-assist. Under certain conditions, it can accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle.
