The powertrain
To make it go, the Sportage HEV uses a 1.6L 4-cylinder turbo engine as well as an electric motor, with combined output reaching 227 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque as managed by a 6-speed auto transmission (not a CVT, importantly). Upper trims also get a locking centre differential with the AWD system, which is standard with the hybrid powertrain).
The instant torque provided by the electric motor and the input of the turbocharger on the ICE (and yes, the absence of a CVT) ensure both quick movement off the line and no-fuss-no-muss highway passing and cruising. And while there are some hybrid vehicles that announce their shifting back and forth between and electric and gas-fed propulsion, this is not one of them; the transitions are seamless if not completely unnoticeable and new owners will probably forget all about them before too long.
Kia also did good work including new and improved sound-deadening materials that help produce a quiet ride worthy of a premium people-moving SUV. Given that mandate, the suspension is also skewed to comfort over sportiness, and the steering is crisp if not resistant and communicative more than it needs to be.
Better than the "regular" Sportage?
In a word, yes. Frankly, other than price of entry, it’s hard to come up with an argument for choosing the non-hybrid Sportage over the hybrid one. Essentially, you lose nothing by going for the latter (except the enjoyment of the extra visual add-ons and upgrades offered by the X-Line trim, not available for the HEV), and gain performance that’s a little more dynamic and, more importantly, money in your pocket from re-fueling quite a bit less often.
To wit, in our week of driving the Sportage HEV in mixed city/highway driving, we registered an average fuel consumption figure of 6.7L/100 km. On our springtime one-day jaunt across rainy Vancouver Island in the regular ICE version, we’d averaged 9.2L/100 km. Over time, that kind of improvement will make itself felt on the pocketbook. Official figures for the Sportage HEV, by the way, are: 6.1/6.3/6.2L/100 km (city/highway/combined).
Note that the hybrid-powertrain 2023 Sportage can be had in either EX version (MSRP: $35,995) or SX trim ($42,695).
Specifications sheet of 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX
Specifications sheet of 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX
Specifications sheet of 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid 2023 SX AWD w/Red Interior
We like
Fuel economy, especially given the size of the new Sportage
Exterior styling
Lots of cargo space
Modern, well-designed interior
Reasonable pricing
Standard AWD with hybrid version
We like less
Lack of wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity
Dual-function buttons for audio/climate control
Slightly less trunk space (though still a lot)
No X-Line possible with hybrid powertrain
The competition
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Escape / Bronco Sport
GMC Terrain
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Cherokee
Mazda CX-5 / CX-50
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan
