2023 Kia Sportage | Review & Road Test
202,600
Published 2022-08-08
www.kbb.com/kia/sportage/
The Sportage is Kia’s longest lasting nameplate. This newest version comes with three powertrain options. The gas engine option receives a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline 4 (graphics: 187 hp). Estimated EPA numbers are solid even for this option (FWD: 25 city/32 hwy AWD: 23 city/28 hwy). There are two hybrid options available on the Sportage, a standard hybrid that gets (graphic: 227 hp combined; EPA: FWD – 42 city/44 hwy AWD: 38 city/38 hwy) an 44kW permanent magnetic motor and more than 500 miles of range per tank of gas. And you can get a plug-in hybrid that comes with a 66.9-kw motor and a 13.8-kw hour battery and can run up to 32 miles on pure electric range.
Okay, that’s out of the way, now let’s talk more about the exterior of the Sportage. First thing you might notice, because it’s very noticeable is that the Sportage is now dramatically larger, 7.1-inches longer to be exact with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. We’ll get to why that’s significant in a bit.
So, does that put the Sportage into a different segment? I say, yes. The subcompact space is now being occupied by the Soul and the Seltos. That puts the all-new Niro and slightly larger Sportage in a compact spot with the Sorrento in a smaller mid-size space and the Telluride in the larger midsize slot.
If you’re cross-shopping, the Sportage is now going to line up with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Forester and Ford Escape. Well, that is some stiff competition.
Magically, there is a ton more space in the second row now. Legroom, headroom, galore. This is a truly comfortable place to sit. And there is more cargo space for your stuff. (69.3 cu-ft/36.6 cu-ft)
When you get into the driver’s seat you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised at how much work Kia’s done with the interior of the Sportage.
The cockpit is very driver oriented. The big news is the big screens. Nearly 25 inches stretch from the driver’s side A-pilar to the middle of the car.
That’s a 12.3-inch digital gauge screen and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. (Standard on EX trim and above) It’s nicely integrated, so nothing looks like an iPad slapped on your dash. It’s well thought out and looks great. And most importantly, the interface is intuitive as are all Kia products.
The seats are comfortable; you’ll get cloth only on the base LX and SynTex artificial leather on everything above, the stitching makes it look great, again, only on the base LX model is the stitching molded and not actual stitching, and there’s padding for elbows on surfaces.
Safety equipment takes a front seat in the Sportage with Kia making some pretty advanced features standard including lane-following assist, lane-keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and a driver attention warning.
More big news from the Sportage comes in some additional trim levels in the X-Line and X-Pro. Yes, Kia is embracing the rugged trend in crossovers and I’m not opposed.
The X-Line is more of an appearance package, which is fine, but it doesn’t really do anything by way of more capability. You will get an AWD system that does a good job of sending traction to where you need it most, so that’s something. But you will get trim specific front and rear bumpers, gloss black side mirrors, roof rack and window surrounds as well as 19-inch wheels. That wheel size alone should tell you it’s not super off-road capable.
The X-Pro goes a few steps further with 17-inch off-road wheels, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires that give you some great traction.
Helping with that capability are extra drive modes with a snow mode that helps prevent slippage maximizing traction and downhill braking.
The Sportage is based on the new Sorento platform, which is a stiffer structure making the Sportage feel more stable even given it’s increased length. It turns with confidence, even in the hybrid when you’re giving it an extra punch with that increase horsepower. A huge improvement in the driving dynamics.
The base LX starts at just under $26,000 and the AWD X-Pro Prestige model, which is the top of the line tops out at just under $37,000. Those prices don’t include Kia’s $1255 destination fee. In between those two extremes you can get the EX, SX, SX-Prestige and X-Line as well as the X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige. That’s a pretty wide array of options for an $11,000 spread in price.
That the Sportage is bigger, drives better, can be more off-road capable, has better fuel economy, more standard features, and looks way better than its predecessor. Welcome to the big kids table, Sportage.
00:00 2023 Kia Sportage
0:40 Engine Options
1:13 Exterior
1:51 Competitors
6:41 Driving Impressions
All Comments (21)
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What are you all thinking about the Sportage's bigger size? Do you think SUVs are getting too big in general?
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Really nice review! i think the Hybrid should be considered a very different vehicle from the gas-version. not only is it better in fuel economy but the performance upgrade with more hp and immediate torque from the EV portion is a huge upgrade! the safety/tech is borderline luxury level. well done Kia!
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KBB killing it with casual great reviews by great hosts
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Yet another amazing review! Digging the new Sportage, I have a couple year old Forte in the garage, this may replace it!
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I've owned and driven Sportages for almost 10 years now ... a 2014 FWD and now a 2017 SX Turbo AWD. Super happy, best all around most value vehicles I've ever owned. They keep getting better and better and this new generation looks awesome ... might have to go for a 3peat! 🔥
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Really enjoy your videos. I've had my SX HEV for a couple of months now, and am loving it. It doesn't handle as well as my previous 2018 SX Turbo, but has a much nicer ride for day to day driving. The interior punches way above it's price point.
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Love it! Everytime I see one on the road it's instantly recognizable.
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Great review! I took my '13 Optima in to my local dealer for an oil change earlier this summer when I saw my first '23 Sportage. I didn't know I needed a new vehicle but it was love at first sight. I spent the rest of the summer researching the new Sportage and looking into dealers I wanted to work with. Finally in mid August I found the SXP (gas) that I wanted in the exact color with the exact options. I couldn't be happier. The dealer was wonderful, my trade in value was more than I expected (even with research), my insurance went down because of all the safety features and I have been enjoying my Sportage ever since. Ps. I love the new bigger size, I never would have considered the Sportage with it's previous size.
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I agree, the Sportage and is' fraternal Hyundai twin are very good offerings across the board. It will be interesting to see how they stack against the new CRV in a comparison when it debuts later this year. You guys are great. Thanks Lynn!
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The vehicles are impressive. Dealership mark ups is why I got my kid a Honda. Kia needs to control their dealers.
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I just purchased a 2023 Kia Sportage SX-Prestige FWD yesterday. Where I live, there are usually no Sportages available for immediate delivery. I’ve been searching for Hybrids or something with good gas mileage for a couple of months. I needed something that could fit my Rollator walker. I had been renting a car for a couple of months, while trying to find something that met my needs. I was very fortunate to find one available on the lot. Long story short, someone had preordered this vehicle, waited for 2.5 months, and had just decided that they wanted a third row. The dealer, only 5.5 miles from my home, called me to say they had this, and I purchased it. I couldn’t be happier!!! I have no complaints. It rides so smoothly and has so many great features. I don’t mind using a cable for Apple CarPlay, and do not mind the the switchable climate control and audio toggle. And the rear storage compartment is so huge, it easily fits my Rollator walker with plenty of space to put much more in that space. Funny that your KBB review popped up today. I liked it so much, I subscribed to your channel , after watching the quick review. Thank you!!!
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I am currently driving Kia Sportage Diesel in Vietnam and yes even though parking sometime is a bit of troublesome, but on the other hand rocking on the 19 inch Michelin Primacy 4s, is perfectly for the road condition especially here in Ho Chi Minh City
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Just bought my SX on presale. $10k down. Not bad compared to my old 2014 Rogue I am trading in. Talked the dealer down to a 10% markup from 25%. I pick it up next month. 🥳
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Love the size and love the car. Picked up an LX AWD and it is quite loaded for a base model. So far so good!
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Kia doesnt make reliable engines, but when Lyn presents, I click like
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I'm thinking about getting this vehicle, great review!
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Been waiting for this review since the first drive! 😊But we just got our Sportage SX Prestige last week and it's been great so far. Since it wasn't the exact trim and color we were looking for though, we somehow got a pretty good deal with the dealer chopping off a chunk of the markup to "just" $2000 (still too much of course but definitely better than the $7000 for other Kia dealerships in our area) and a good deal on the maintenance package. That matte gray though looks amazing. If it were available on the gas model, we probably would've waited for it or gone looking around.
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Nice review 👍
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Merry Christmas and happy New year
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Fantastic video!
