2022 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX 70 MPH Highway MPG Test

Zach takes us on the standardized 70 mph test to verify the efficiency of the new hybrid Kia Sportage!
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#kia #sportage #hybrid

[@realitybites8558]

I've re-reviewed this video and see a couple of major area's (flaws) that are contributing to the supposed poor highway economy. First the test was done on a 100 deg. day with the AC on and set to 68 deg. (I'd freeze my butt off at 68) and the EPA doesn't test that way. AC usage can easily affect MPG by anywhere from 10-25%. Second, the test was done in ECO mode. Per my nearest KIA dealer, that is meant for city driving as the algorithm expects more regen braking. They say Smart mode should be better as it attempts to become more efficient on gas when it "sees" it's not recouping electricity by regen. Heck, he even laughed and said it would probably get better numbers in Sport mode too! Seems like the numbers could be significantly better!

[@ALee-cb6zn]

I think the fact that the Sportage uses regular unleaded gas is worth mentioning

[@Scotty_B123]

I have a 2023 SX Prestige. After driving almost 8k miles I have NEVER got 38 mpg on the highway. If you go over 65 mph it just starts to tank big time BUT I love the car and have zero complaints. I usually average around 32-33 mpg on the highway and can get closer to that 38 in the city. I have noticed better gas mileage using the SMART mode on the highway and ECON in the city.

[@normt430]

Looks like a few on fuelly are getting 38 mpg too!

[@toyanucci]

@@normt430 I'm one of those few but it takes a deliberate effort to achieve those numbers. If I drive "normally" especially on the highway the numbers tank but overall I'm still very happy with this car. And yes, for some reason Smart gives better fuel economy than eco so I switch it to smart every time I drive.

[@unclej3910]

My 2022 Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid XLE gets 44-45 mpg in warm to hot weather. 38 mpg is the lowest i have gotten. Average is about 41-42 so far. I live in the Colorado mountains. I'm sticking with Toyota. 😎

[@normt430]

@@unclej3910 Hybrids like hills! My CT6 2.0E plug-in sees almost 40 mpg in hybrid mode. But sees over 40 miles on EV only with a range. It usually see 200 mpg and 3,000 miles on a tank of gas. Lexus cannot match it!

[@domenicknegri9605]

I have the 2022 Sorento hybrid turbo AWD , it appears my average milage is going to run around 33 MPG . I normally drive with in a 10 mile range . I will try the smart range mode , I normally run in ECO. To be truthful I did not knot know about the smart mode .

[@Funkydood]

NEVER top-off when filling up at the gas station!!! On another subject (although related): I bought my wife a gas-powered, 2.5L, 8-shift Sportage, and we're getting 38-42 mpg, highway! City driving yields 27-30 mpg.

[@DaddyDan77]

About time Out of Spec! I know Kyle loves to review "bleeding edge" electric vehicles but something like this Kia is about 1000 times more likely to show up in the driveway of this Dad of 3.

[@peterblombergmusic]

Oh nice, that is a stretch I do quite often, so it is great to see some data from a similar area. Thanks

[@tnitron9750]

Shell is better gas than generic minimum requirements gas I get about 1 mpg better in my V-8. Great numbers!

[@BhavanaKarusala]

Zach, can you do the range test or a full review of the new 2023 Palisade as well?

[@NewYorksFinest1]

Any updates on the fuel economy? Mine is around 39. Now it had dropped to around 32 32 mpg. It's in eco mode. I keep trying to coast on the freeway and let me foot off the gas so it can drive in ev mode but it doesn't last long in ev mode on the freeway.

[@mrJay-hg6ep]

The best i got with my sportage phev is 106 mpg. What is the purpose of waiting 30 seconds then adding more fuel?

[@cbenson513]

Any chance you can review/test of the Toyota Rav4 Prime? It seems to be one of the best plugin hybrids on the market right now. Really nice full EV range and mode that stays EV even at highway speeds, good economy when using the engine, quick acceleration.

[@NewYorksFinest1]

Have your mileage gone up since youve posted this video?

[@Animeabe]

I was ready to buy one of these but I'm really disappointed in seeing that 32ish is pretty common. I drive the highway to work so I would assume it would be similar.

[@NewYorksFinest1]

I ordered that car from a few dealerships in Colorado. Just waiting for it to come in.

[@davidnielson9139]

Hybrids tend not to have a pressurized gas tank, only the Plug in Hybrids. A PHEV has a pressurized gas tank to keep the fuel "fresh" longer, since so many people may only fill the tank once a year. In a hybrid you don't need the pressurized gas tank since all energy in the car is still created from gasoline (just that it recoups energy through regenerative braking) and, even if you don't drive a lot, you still likely will fill the tank every month or so -- it doesn't have an issue with gas getting old like a PHEV might.

[@wayneschenk5512]

Maybe a test of accurate fuel delivery from that pump as well should be done.

[@MrMasterSpam]

I have a PHEV version on order. Who knows when it will come in.

[@Noneofyourdambusssiness]

This is my next vehicle..saw one upclose and it's nice for the price.

[@CRVgarage]

Yea looks smashing

[@derrickyi7433]

I think you are incorrect about adaptive cruise. The Kia Sportage Hybrid EX has it.

[@noahswarz4914]

There must be something wrong with my LCA, it's not as smooth as in this video

[@timmerred5]

Just curious, was the vehicle running while you were exposing the display, etc.? I wasn’t sur3vif that was edited in later as it would potentially affect the mpg outcome. I’ve always been taught that when doing a mileage test, just fill the fuel to the first click, don’t play around with adding more. Has this particular Sportage been driven past it’s break-in time? That will affect your mileage as well. I would could altitude would affect it too, I’m not familiar with your area though.

[@CDW188]

You can see in the dash during that period of the video that the engine is producing 0.0rpms. So the gas engine is not on. I can also attest that the break in period means nothing for this model. I’m over 6,000 miles on mine and the efficiency is still significantly lower than expected. Especially compared to a RAV4 Hybrid.

[@NewYorksFinest1]

I pick up my Sportage hybrid on the 20th. Any driving tips ?

[@IAMT3XAS]

Yes. Drive it back to the dealership and toss the keys

[@Pendragon501]

EPA rates hwy mpg at 48 mph. So I'd say it did pretty good.

[@rcombs18]

How do you think it would do at slightly lower highway speeds? I commute about 60 mile round trip for work on 2 lane highways ranging from 55-65 mph most of the trip

[@rylans.5365]

I suspect you would get the 42/44 EPA numbers, because those are the speeds they test at

[@Pendragon501]

@@rylans.5365 EPA says they test hwy speed at only 48 mph.

[@tommykelly2375]

Tesla showroom will open in Fayetteville Ga in a soon to close Haverty Furniture store on hwy 85..announce today…good news from Georgia!!

[@af2808]

My wife’s Kia Sportage hybrid auto gets 38 miles a gallon on highway going 70

[@helloSteve79]

It is all expected with hybrid. If you think other hybrids are better in the same condition, you are wrong. I have 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD, and it has the exact same MPG drop in such conditions like high speed over 70, high temperature and even low temperature below 45 or so as well. I added roof top carrier, and it reduces the MPG by 1 or 2. Add 2" tow hitch for bike, it takes another 1 MPG. If you want to enjoy other things (speed, convenience), you lose something (gas). That's how things work in the real world. Please don't get stressed out with MPG. Just enjoy your life! 😅

[@godofdun]

I'm sure part of it is the turbo, but also the EPA tests at a slower speed than 70 IIRC.

[@CDW188]

I think they understand the EPA tests are done at slower speeds. The expectations for better efficiency come from comparing to other similar hybrids on the market. For instance, my RAV4 Hybrid is rated for 39mpg, but I average 43mpg driving 70mph on the highways. My Sportage Hybrid is rated for 38mpg and I average 31mpg.

[@deboraharmstrong8994]

Have the same car without sunroof. I can’t get over 30.5. I have that same car and color you tested. I’m not impressed with the results. I’m not heavy on the pedal. Comfortable and smooth and like the size. I’m very disappointed dissatisfied with the mileage as promised regardless.

[@nevea2be]

My 2022 Tucson Hybrid SEL is rated to average 37 mpg but with it in cruise control 90% of the time I average around 42 with my highest being 45. Something. I have the regular transmission in mine and I think it just needs that one more gear to truly work on the highway. I think if it has it I could closer to 50 mpg.

[@CDW188]

What’s your average speed? Mine averages 31mpg when I use cruise control almost 90% of the time. Almost exclusively highway driving. I also have a very light foot, so I’ve been frustrated to get such poor efficiency.

[@nevea2be]

@@CDW188 when just on the highway at around 65-70 I’ll get around 33-37 MPG depending on the highway and how flat it is. Most of my driving is back roads with a section that’s 50 miles per hour. I always have my cruise control set at 20 miles per hour so as soon as I back my foot off the regen braking kicks in. At 30k on my car my air filter still looks brand new as I’m always using the electric motor to drive.

[@nevea2be]

@@CDW188 when just on the highway at around 65-70 I’ll get around 33-37 MPG depending on the highway and how flat it is. Most of my driving is back roads with a section that’s 50 miles per hour. I always have my cruise control set at 20 miles per hour so as soon as I back my foot off the regen braking kicks in. At 30k on my car my air filter still looks brand new as I’m always using the electric motor to drive.

[@noahswarz4914]

@@CDW188 I do 80% highway driving. The EV doesn't last as much, it works great on city stop go traffic but for highway is not very efficient. I try to get up to speed then a little tap on the brake and it switches to EV but at those speed 65-70mph EV mode doesn't last much because of battery size but it helps. I get about 31-35 average but I've gotten as high as 42 for some trips.

[@tedptasznik953]

You'll never get 38 mpg driving 70 mph On highway it does better in city or 60 mph or less on highway I have a KIA NIRO get up to 55mpg in summer both city and hwy combined

[@realitybites8558]

MPG looks great for 70 mph! You do realize as a reviewer that all of the EPA highway testing is done on a dyno with a preset, automated, simulated drive pattern and the average speed is 48.3 mph! In fact, that test never exceeds 60 mph. Your 70 mile loop provides good insight at realistic highway speeds, but really shouldn't be equivocated to the EPA numbers. Apples and oranges in testing!

[@CDW188]

I think they understand the EPA tests are done at slower speeds. The expectations for better efficiency come from comparing to other similar hybrids on the market. For instance, my RAV4 Hybrid is rated for 39mpg, but I average 43mpg driving 70mph on the highways. My Sportage Hybrid is rated for 38mpg and I average 31mpg.

[@realitybites8558]

@@CDW188 I disagree, they did not mention any other car, only compared to the EPA numbers and disappointed.

[@CDW188]

@@realitybites8558 I agree they didn’t mention any other cars. What I’m saying is that in the hybrid industry of recent, it’s almost expected that the real life fuel economy is at or above the EPA. This is because in reality, the mid to high end hybrids have been living up to and exceeding their EPA estimates. I use the RAV4 Hybrid as a comparison because it is probably the number one vehicle the Sportage Hybrid is being compared to, and I have personal experience with both. It’s very much expected in standard gasoline vehicles to get a real-life fuel economy that’s less than EPA. And in most older hybrids. But over the past few years, hybrids (especially Toyota and some Hondas) have been exceeding EPA estimates in real life. So this would explain the dismay behind the real-life numbers here. This channel has seen many hybrid brands surpass expected fuel economy, but the Kias and Hyundais continue to deliver below their EPA estimates.

[@realitybites8558]

@@CDW188 I understand what you're saying, but I still disagree. 1st there have only been 2 other hybrids on this channel run through their 70 mph highway test (I wouldn't call that "many"). The 2021 Toyota Venza which did surpass EPA and the 2021 Ford F-150 which just met EPA. 2nd - Fuelly has data from 306 Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid owners with over 2.8 million miles of data and the average combined MPG is 37.5 which doesn't even equal EPA. They don't break out city/highway, but we all know highway is going to be less. They do show 81 of those drivers equaling or exceeding the EPA 40 mpg (26%), but I'd suspect those are pretty much city drivers. Third - Consumer Reports testing showed that 55% of hybrids did not meet the EPA combined ratings. DId not break out how many didn't meet the highway ratings, but I suspect it is many more. So your assertion that that it should be expect that they meet or exceed is false. Car & Driver also did a 200 mile highway "economy" loop in the RAV 4 Hybrid and only achieved 37 mpg. There are many others on Reddit that can't get even over 40 on the highway at lower speeds. I personally think you're FOS!

[@CDW188]

@@realitybites8558 just putting it out there, “you’re” means you are, “your” means your.

[@CRVgarage]

Everybody is getting it wrong. Its a performance hybrid. It uses a turbo motor.

[@fenceman53]

Nope plug in or no go and then sell it when warranty about to expire. Two drivetrains =more chance for something to fail $

[@tomtroester6608]

I have the same

[@tsmatthx2]

Epa doesn't do 70mph

[@grantlouw3182]

I think you being overly critical of the gas mileage. Since I live in a metric country I converted and to me 6.7 litres per 100 km is not bad for driving at just over 112 km/h. Trying to compare real world to EPA lab test consumption is not valid. EPA test only serves to enable consumers to compare different vehicles tested to the same laboratory standard and has no other real world value.

[@tomtroester6608]

I have the same vehicle that you tested hybrid EX with the moonroof option with the blue exterior and interior. I do get get 38 MPG driving 63-65 MPH and about 34 MPG driving at 73-75 which is similar to what you got. I do exceed the city ratting of 38 MPG usually 41 or 42 MPG. Overall I am right at 38 MPG. The aerodynamic loading hurts at driving speed over 65 MPH which isn’t the EPA highway cycle.

[@kondoc7853]

Thanks for posting. I am waiting on my EX Hybrid to be made. I drive 100 miles a day to and back from work. And its pretty much half and half. 56 miles on highway at 70MPH and the other 44 miles ranging from 60MPH to 30MPH. Do you think I will be close to the 38MPG that KIA claims the car get? TIA

[@deboraharmstrong8994]

Hard to believe

[@Erigion]

The combination of an old school 6-speed transmission with a small displacement turbo ICE just kills the MPG on the highway.

[@kens97sto171]

Its a 6 spd Dual clutch I believe. Not old school, but they have been using this trans for a while.. Its pretty reliable I believe. With the electric torque to help get you going you don't need a lot of gears.... The NON Hybrid gets an 8 Spd transmission. Hybrid systems do almost NOTHING at highway speeds, your all on the gas engine at that point. The window sticker said 38.. that's combines, but the AWD model gets 38 city and 38 Hwy. So it was a bit under that.. But they dont test highway MPG at 70MPH.. its 65 I think. The FWD version is rated 42 city 44 Hwy. which is weird.. usually hybrids get better city than hwy.

[@kens97sto171]

@Gregg Schulz That's weird, Hyundai Kia group has been using dual clutches in their hybrids for a while now. The sonata and optima use them. Surprised they don't use it in all of them. I know they also used a six-speed regular automatic on their hybrids too. Wonder why they mix and match different transmissions like that? It's got to make manufacturing complicated and a pain in the ass.

[@kens97sto171]

@Gregg Schulz Not really sure, I know I've seen some car reviewers testing the hybrids. Commenting about how the electric motors take the place of the slipping clutch on the dual clutch setup. So they don't have that weird lurching issue that the regular cars with that same transmission have. Maybe they used different ones across different years. Could be a more recent car. Just recently saw somebody do a review on a Kia Hyundai vehicle that was a hybrid that had the dual clutch in it. I don't know. Still seems weird to me that you have different transmissions across the different engine platforms. I can understand on the turbos they make a lot more power maybe it's required. But on the regular hybrids and NA cars I'm surprised they didn't use common transmissions. Could be changes in model years across the different vehicles? Maybe in one vehicle they still were using one transmission but in another vehicle they had upgraded it or updated it. Who knows? GM does the same stuff. All brand new truck completely ground up design frame body interior etc. But it's got the last generation engine and transmission in it. Then two years later they update the engine or transmission or both. You end up with these weird situations where a new model year has some old stuff and some new stuff. Tesla just changes things on the fly regardless of model year. But they tend to be small updates or changes.

[@jeffryperego8295]

You may want to change the title, since KIA did not make a 2022 Sportage Hybrid in the states.

[@toyanucci]

The hybrid was released in Korea and Europe in 2021 as the 2022 model year. In USA and Canada it came here as the 2023 model year.

[@jeffryperego8295]

@@toyanucci I understand that as I sell KIA, however he is talking about a 2023. Sorry I updated my info to the states 😃

[@tsmatthx2]

Isn't highway technically like 50mph?

[@nevea2be]

Most around me are either 55 or 65 with some being as high as 75.

[@tsmatthx2]

@@nevea2be but I think epa classifies roads beyond 50 or 55 ish as not highways any longer, they then become interstates or whatever, to them lol so the word highway, means no faster than 55 or whatever they have it at. They never do 60+mph in their testing so you'll never hit those epa numbers unless slow it down :)

[@nevea2be]

@@tsmatthx2 I never knew they changed the wording on highways. The ones around me have the same speeds and names as they did since I got my license some 35+ years ago. I think other then say the Mass pike most fast roadways where always referred to as highways instead of interstate’s. 🤷‍♀️

[@realitybites8558]

@@tsmatthx2 Correct, the EPA highway test averages 48.3 mph and never exceeds 60 mph and the dyno test only lasts 12.5 minutes!

[@derekox]

Kum and Go is out of gas? WTF?

[@Nwrathburn]

Kum N' Gone

[@tsmatthx2]

2023?

[@arturotolentino7538]

❤ it 👍😎 🇵🇭 🇺🇸

[@jdbmoto]

Having a 2.5 NA 2020 Santa Fe at 75mph fully loaded we can get 28-30mpg. Don’t see the benefit of the added cost of the hybrid system.

[@paulroline]

If we are trying to be precise you'd need to drive a lot further to lessen the impact of variable gas delivery. Here a small change in gas volume measure greatly changes the calculation. If you drove 400 miles and the gas usage is off by a tenth of a gallon, it wouldn't alter the result by much. Great car, poorly designed experiment.

[@IDann1]

Is it just him or an North American thing with the pronunciation of the cars name. 😜

[@ydmf2]

Its pronounced Sport-idge in the USA and Spor-tahj in Canada 🤷.

[@mhsohel47]

Flawed test.

[@johnpoldo8817]

Once I heard ICE, it was turned off.

[@TotallyJoel]

Dont be soo dramatic lol 😆, most people can't afford the nice evs.

[@aniketphatak6797]

Besides in any state other than California , the EV infrastructure network just isn’t there right now. Might take 6-8 years for other states to catch up. Also with hybrid you get around 500-600 miles of true range depending on the vehicle. That’s not the case for EV right now, even the long range Tesla model 3 offers just 360 miles

[@scottmurphy4946]

Show you care buy not buying anything transported to stores by ICE

[@thelastofthehitachi972]

bah, a hybrid, for the undecided

[@marcpelegrin8573]

Not interested in any polluting cars

[@georgefreeman123]

Any car the the public has access to pollutes. 90% the electricity for EV's is generated using fossil fuel.

[@marcpelegrin8573]

@@georgefreeman123 you are wrong. My electricity comes 100% from renewables energy.

[@realitybites8558]

@@marcpelegrin8573 Do you know how much pollution was made digging up the minerals to make those batteries and how much energy was used to build them - which is mostly coal if made in China?