Looking at its current lineup, it’s hard to believe Kia was once a byword for cheapness. In fact, the only nameplate remaining from those bad old days is the Kia Sportage. Since its launch in 1993, the Sportage has evolved from a curiosity to a true mainstream crossover SUV. But it was still missing something.
The previous-generation Sportage was a solid contender, but with some many vehicles to choose from in this crowded market segment, Kia needed to do more to stand out. To that end, the redesigned 2023 Kia Sportage adds a first-ever hybrid powertrain. Kia is fairly late to the hybrid crossover game, however, as hybrid versions of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 have already been on sale for some time, while Kia parent Hyundai launched its Tucson Hybrid for the 2022 model year.
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid launches in LX, EX, and SX-Prestige trim levels. Pricing starts at $28,545 for a base front-wheel drive LX model — a $1,300 premium over the non-hybrid model. The mid-level EX and top SX-Prestige trim levels get standard all-wheel drive, and start at $32,245 and $37,445, respectively. Our test car was an SX-Prestige model with the more expensive Shadow Matte Gray paint and a Carmine Red interior, which brought the as-tested price to $38,155.
Built in Gwangju, South Korea, the Sportage Hybrid will hit dealerships later this year. A plug-in hybrid version is on the way as well.
Design and interior
It’s easy to spot a 2023 Sportage thanks to a radical new front fascia with blade-like LED daytime running lights encapsulating triangular headlights. The way the lights blend into the grille gives the Sportage a somewhat alien appearance. The rest of the exterior styling is fairly conventional, however, which means anyone approaching this car from behind is in for a shock when they see that front end. Regardless, it’s good to see Kia taking some aesthetic risks, especially in a market segment that doesn’t usually emphasize style.
The 2023 Sportage is based on the same N3 platform as the Kia Sorento. The redesign increased size in all dimensions, but particularly length. The new Sportage is about an inch taller and half an inch wider than the previous-generation model, but 7.1 inches longer. That includes a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, which generally pays dividends in passenger space. The hybrid model has slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid Sportage.
Anyone approaching this car from behind is in for a shock.
The Sportage Hybrid is also closely related to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, meaning their interior dimensions are virtually identical. The pair of two-row, five-seat Korean models are also fairly close to rival vehicles in headroom and legroom across both rows, showing just how competitive this market segment is.
Unlike its Hyundai sibling, however, the Sportage gets a dual-level cargo floor. At its lower height, it creates 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place. That’s more than the Hyundai — and all other similarly sized hybrid crossovers. The Sportage hybrid’s maximum 73.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded is slightly behind the Tucson hybrid, but still ahead of hybrid versions of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.
Our SX-Prestige test car had SynTex artificial leather, which Kia is now promoting as a sustainable design feature because it’s animal-free. However, it’s still the same fake leather Kia and other automakers have been using for years to save costs, and it feels that way. You’ll never mistake this for real leather upholstery. Other interior materials were fairly good for a mainstream vehicle, though.
