2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Review: Thrifty Drivers Take Note

Hybrid vehicles make sense for the shopper who isn’t quite ready to embrace electrification but is also looking to save at the pumps. That’s why the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid has entered a growing segment of gas-electric SUVs led by the likes of the segment-leading Toyota RAV4.
While the conventional hybrid RAV4 has the edge over this Sportage in at least a couple important areas, it’s the bang-for-the-buck Kia has long been known for that closes the gap between them considerably.
AutoTrader.ca Road Test Editor Dan Ilika reviews the hybrid version of Kia's compact crossover. With a bounty of technology and amenities, the Sportage presents a good value, but how thrifty is it at the pumps?
Read the full review on AutoTrader.ca:
www.autotrader.ca/editorial/2...
00:00 Intro
00:57 Gas, hybrid, or PHEV? The choice is yours
01:35 Powertrain and Specs
03:43 Fuel economy
05:34 Ride quality and Handling
07:07 Exterior styling and Practicality
08:30 Pricing and Value
11:22 Interior design and User-friendliness
14:27 Pros and Cons
14:44 Conclusion

[@Aforgamon]

Kind of annoying to see multiple reviews lately of hybrids where the reviewer talks about it being a good option for people "not ready to embrace electriffication" when electric cars remain more expensive and harder to find for most people. It's not so much a question of whether people are ready for them, as whether the companies will sell at the same price as a gas/hybrid vehicle (they won't) or whether factories can meet the demand. (they can't)

[@danilika9420]

Two days after I filmed this review, I had three separate conversations at a party with people who said, in one way or another, that they were interested in getting into something more efficient but were wary of going all-electric for various reasons (taking long road trips, etc.). It’s not as if that sentiment is one I pulled out of thin air - it’s very real. Yes, EVs are still expensive - but that’s because the technology is still expensive. They are, however, getting more affordable with time. Supply issues notwithstanding, the base Kia EV6 is only a few thousand dollars more than the Sportage Hybrid tested here. Add in available tax rebates, and the EV6 would conceivably cost less. Sure, they’re different vehicles in terms of size and space; but the point is simply that cost-competitive options are starting to arrive. Thanks for watching!

[@victorradu9645]

Great review. I like the way you point out the main points about the car

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

Toyota wish they can make a cool vehicle like this! I love the look of the new Sportage. It's not a cookie cutter SUV. It looks premium than what it is. The technology is off the charts. And the OPTIONS! I can get matte paint option, if I want. Not available on the Rav4. And it's best in class in interior and cargo room. Something about the Rav4, it just has a complacent feeling to it. The interior is just too dated looking, imo.

[@dannytomei160]

Thanks for the review - very thorough if a little nit picking! LOL! I'm actively looking into PHEV's as a step into the electric car market. I actually do love the Toyota Prime mainly due to it's power and 0-60 times but then I priced it and I was floored. The Prime's price point puts it into competition with more premium vehicles. Case in point, compared to the Kia you reviewed, I do find it hard to compare, let alone recommend, the Toyota Prime (plug in) as it costs, fully loaded (comparably to Kia), over $67k (Ontario tax in)!! That's literally $15k more expensive than the Kia/Hyundai twins and completely unjustifiable in terms of fuel savings. At the Toyota's cost, you're edging into the entry offerings of the premium auto makers. I see this mistake constantly with reviewers assuming ICE comparisons across vehicles are the same with their PHEV's. The cost of the vehicle must factor into both comparisons and recommendations. Otherwise, I enjoyed your review.

[@TelosBudo]

Great vid

[@danilika9420]

Thanks for watching, and for the kind words!

[@bho6486]

I will interested to see the long term reliability of the hybrid/turbo engine combination. Also, when pushed, a turbo engine will use more gas. So do they (turbo/hybrid) work against each other? Great review Dan. I always really appreciate your honesty and unique reviews. Thank you.

[@danilika9420]

Thanks for the kind words! I think the turbo and hybrid setup can be complimentary, particularly when you’re looking for passing power, since the electric motor can fill in with low-end torque to make up for the minimal turbo lag this motor has.

[@csguak]

Correct. The motor is supposed to negate some of the turbo lag during acceleration. You won't be passing dual motor or dual clutch cars anytime soon, but you will beat most of the other V4 regular commute vehicles on the road. People love this SUV, because if you wanna say fk the fuel economy, I'm gonna road rage, you can do that to a certain extent. You will definitely feel the improvement of acceleration compared to CVT cars. Don't buy a CVT car if you want a car that feels very responsive as far as acceleration is concerned.

[@DavidD073]

I agree 💯 on all the gloss black! I wish all manufacturers would get rid of it.

[@danilika9420]

It's absolutely the worst trend in automotive interior design! Textured materials look better, and hide scratches and fingerprints/smudges!

[@tothemoon6471]

Hum interesting. A lot of the other reviewers commented that their real life fuel efficiency with Sportage was actually better that what it says on the paper. 🤔 Anyway great review!

[@lilpops30]

What you talking about sx has power liftgate

[@ericschmitz357]

Downsides: Made in Canada like the Honda Crv Hybrid? Sells at or below MSRP like the Honda CRV Hybrid? KIA Warranty as reviewed by customers as good as Honda? Why is the 5 year cost to own so much lower for the Honda Hybrid? Depreciation?

[@katiemunro7017]

I cant disagree with you enough on this sportage’s styling. I think its the nicest looking vehicle on the market right now. I absolutely LOVE the tail end of this vehicle, the lights are also another favourite part of mine. This is a gorgeous vehicle- and also, a lot of fun to drive!

[@dash-ryan]

The main reason to get this over the RAV4 is the wait list for a RAV4 hybrid is over a year. The dealership I was at said they have 700 people waiting for one. However, I'm being told good luck getting any hybrid in under 10 months. In my opinion, don't by new. Wait until the used car bubble bursts any day now and then buy used from AutoTrader. I think anyone who buys new right now is throwing their money away because my Acura dealer is saying the shortages are actually going to force price increases! Not enough journalists are helping consumers with advice around this and, surprisingly, you'd think AutoTrader would be motivated to provide more used car alternative recommendations in their reviews.

[@danilika9420]

I can certainly appreciate your point, but the reason we don't suggest used alternatives in our reviews is because of the way the market fluctuates. The current climate is actually a great example of why it doesn't make sense to do so, as a $30,000 used crossover today is going to look much different than it will in, say, six months.

[@dash-ryan]

@@danilika9420 Thanks. IMHO I think anyone who buys any car, new or used, in todays market is going to be in serious financial trouble in a year from now. Interest rates are going up, people can't pay their mortgages, gas prices are at an all time high and there is no sign of help. Trust me, if you buy now - new or used - you'll pay for it dearly very soon. I think Canadians, who are one of the most highly leveraged people in world, are heading for bankruptcy in record numbers. The ones who are smart enough to save and wait, will have the pick of the litter - from homes to cars.

[@percytse2370]

Does the SX trim projector headlight make a big different?

[@danilika9420]

I've not driven any other trim, so I'm not sure about the Sportage specifically; but generally speaking, projectors are noticeably better.

[@percytse2370]

@@danilika9420 Thanks

[@kalanaliyanage1905]

Nobody talk about tax system for some countries.we can literally take two sportage for the price of rav 4. Because some 3 rd world countries tax based on cc

[@stephenwinter8892]

According to kia canada the hyundai is 230hp and 260 ft lbs of torque and the kia sister suv

[@danilika9420]

Having trouble following what you're saying here, Stephen, but both Kia Canada and Hyundai Canada list the net output of the hybrid powertrain at 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Cheers!

[@Ryan-um8ug]

To bad they didn't focus more on fuel economy for their hybrid model. Since that's why u are buying a hybrid.

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from oakville Ontario my sister is considering the 2023 chevy blazer ev 2LT because gasoline is 28 cents a litre more than here she lives in surrey bc $56600 740 km/ charge and i have connections with gm Oshawa lucky for her and me

[@rightlanehog3151]

Dan, Your review was certainly efficient!

[@danilika9420]

Shortest one I’ve done in years! :D

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@danilika9420 Concise is the word I would use.

[@billshoe22191]

So ugly. Can't get over how bad it looks. That said, Dan should have mentioned this hybrid has real awd (can send power from the engine and electric motor rearward) system which is why its not as efficient as the Rav4 Hybrid which only has the electric power to the rear axle which is like 37 hp. The Shortage Hybrid will be superior in bad weather and off road. Kia ruined the Sport age for me with it's awful looks and the axing of the 2L Turbo engine

[@danilika9420]

Toyota’s approach to hybrid all-wheel drive - using a separate electric motor for the rear wheels - is just as “real” as the mechanical setup here. It responds just as quickly to conditions, with the instantaneous nature of electric torque arguably more beneficial when extra traction is required. That electric all-wheel drive undoubtedly helps make the RAV4 Hybrid more efficient than this Sportage, but it’s also worthy of note that the Ford Escape Hybrid, which uses mechanical all-wheel drive, is more efficient than both the Sportage and the RAV4.

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

I don't think it's ugly at all. It's modern and fresh. Doesn't look like the rest of its competition. I guarantee you, put both SUVs side by side. And let a child to choose between the two. I bet the Sportage will be a winner over the Rav4.

[@billyrock8305]

Gross 🤮

[@rajindernijjer]

Don't buy a Kia 2 year old car and the engines scrap the dealers don't want to know Kia UK doesn't do anything still have to pay for a car I don't have. Warning don't buy a Kia.