2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports

On this episode, we discuss the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. Find out how the Sportage Hybrid compares to the gasoline Sportage we tested, and why hybrid versions of small SUVs often improve a model overall. We also answer a question about all-wheel drive and determine whether it can be considered a safety feature or convenience feature.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - 11:48 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
11:50 - 20:34 Question: Is all-wheel drive a safety feature, a nice-to-have-perk, or over-hyped?
LINKS:
2023 Kia Sportage Is Long on Style and Room, Short on Verve: www.consumerreports.org/suvs/...
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[@FakeAccount-df7ny]

Gabe really came through on this episode. I've been using his advice about just turning the car off instead of hitting Park and and keeping the climate knobs as they are and adjusting things by the steering wheel control for the stereo

[@deanlee8150]

FYI: winter tires are mandatory in Quebec in the winter, but not all of Canada.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Sad but true

[@JakeRoot]

@@rightlanehog3151 is it though? Places like Vancouver or Victoria see, at best, sporadic snowfall. Requiring M+S tires there seems unnecessary. Though in fairness to BC, they are required throughout the rest of the province during the winter.

[@markhattrup5494]

Give me a break the toggle between functions is not a big deal at least not worth as much airtime as it is given.

[@quixomega]

Yeah, we don't have mandated snow tires in most of Canada, just Quebec. But I think it might be an idea for the rest of Canada because it seems like it's always the least competent drivers who don't have snow tires and it might reduce insurance rates. I drive an AWD vehicle and I also have winter tires.

[@shopwithaaron]

Thanks ya'll! Got my stinger RWD gt-line in 7-21 and knew I would need snow tires for our mild winter. Bought Conti Vikings and our trip from Reno to CO in February was pretty easy! 1900 miles and got 32 MPGs !! Safety first!

[@mikec9077]

Why didn’t you buy a 90k msrp used Audi for 30k?

[@hereigoagain5050]

For a few years I drove a Mustang (RWD) with winter tires in Michigan. It excelled at going up icy hills. No go in heavy snow due to low ground clearance.

[@snakerb]

AWD with winter tyres is better than FWD in winter with the same tyres. FWD owners always tried that “in the ditch” comment when I had my Subaru, and I always pointed out that I had summer and winter wheels. Best of both worlds.

[@hconf]

Do you have to change winter tires to standard tires in the spring or can you use them all year round?

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

Dedicated snow tires are certainly the best way to go in snowy/icy conditions, and for most people FWD with good tires is all you really need to get through a tough winter. However, if you put snow tires on an AWD vehicle, then that will perform even better. ALSO, worth noting that there's a newer generation of "3 peak mountain snowflake rated" tires that you can leave on ALL YEAR. All WEATHER (not to be confused with "all season") tires like the Michelin Cross Climate2s might actually be a better choice for those who get slush and or rain more than blankets of thick snow. A lot of snow tires are actually not great in wet conditions! My Vredestein Quatracs are AMAZING in the rain and still stay sticky/soft in the cold. Finally, pick up trucks just don't handle all that well due to mostly empty/light rear ends. They look tough and capable, but unless I'm towing, this is not the vehicle I want to drive at high speeds in slippery conditions.

[@timmerred5]

I’ve dug out many cars that have gone off the road a bit, or just gotten stuck. I would say most were FWD, but not all. The AWD were able to get out much quicker and easier than the FWD. So many times we had the back wheels clear, but without the AWD there was nothing to be done.

[@sansin6250]

Any update on engine fire on the Kia Sportage Hybrid?

[@Potato0t2]

Thanks so much for taking my prickly question on AWD! For context, I was considering a new PHEV and was down to choosing between the Rav4 Prime (with AWD) and the Escape PHEV (no AWD), and had several friends telling me to not even consider the Escape because it didn't have AWD, which should be on my must-have list. Anyway, I've got an Escape PHEV on order now!

[@normt430]

If you can commute mostly in EV mode without the engine coming on, you'll love the PHEV and it's frugality. The federal tax incentive is icing on the cake not available on the Toyota.

[@loden888]

This is a great question and one I've always thought about. AWD is added weight and friction for a MPG penalty. But with EVs that can turn AWD on an off on the fly, the penality will be minimal. However AWD does make the vehicle more versatile, so you will not be limited to paved, level roads only. Let's say you are on a camping trip and you get lost. AWD does give you the peace of mind, in case you ever need it even if you have winter tires. Once I unwillingly got a Subaru Outback for trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. If I did not have the AWD for the trip back to the airport at 4AM during a massive snow storm, I'd be a nervous wreck and perhaps even miss my flight.

[@RicktechCambo2375]

Bought one and loving it....extra HPs comparing to non hybrid😊

[@cesartrujillo4190]

If only there were a volume knob on the steering wheel! Where we really need a volume knob is in the rear seat and one in the trunk. Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaase Kia, help us out!

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Regarding AWD all I have ever needed is snow tires until I moved to a 650 foot mountain. Then I ran into trouble with snow tires on my FWD cars. I could not get home as the FWD Honda Accord and to a lesser degree but still a problem, the FWD Saab 9-3 would conk out with a powertrain failure as traction control could not get me home. I would get a warning on the dashboard and the car would not move. Now I own a Subaru and Buick AWD with snow tires, and getting home is not a problem. Even if I use all-weather tires (not all season) I can get home with snow on the mountain. Gabe gave the right answer - snow tires with FWD is not enough on a mountain climb.

[@SalManila1]

How hard is it to set a dial to Drive and Park?

[@inourspace]

AWD won’t make you not need winter tires. It only helps you put power down. It won’t help you brake or corner better. Braking distance will be slightly longer due to the added weight which is a bigger concern than putting down more power as far as snowy road safety goes.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

I have a car to go not to stop. If I wanted to do the latter I’d just stay in bed.

[@chrisedward7575]

I’ve lived in Maine all my life and have not mounted snow tires since I sold my 1969 Firebird in 1988. Any AWD or 4wd will get around fine with street tires.

[@LionRunner]

@11:50 for AWD question: I can give my input (as a user, not an expert) where in addition to using 3PMSF rated tires (here in CO during winter time we get many days over 46’F so don’t like to use winter tires) I have noticed 4WD feels better / more control than AWD. Especially on corners, down hills and turns. I feel like AWD works like a FWD vehicle when the foot is off the gas vs when I’m in 4WD even though my foot is off the gas I get balanced power / more controlled power so ABS doesn’t have to work overtime to control free spinning wheels. I don’t know how, but not only my part time 4wd vehicle even the torsen center diff 4wd vehicle out perform going uphill on my uncleaned drive way better than AWD vehicles even the 2021 Subaru Acsent we used (Jan-April) 2-3 months in winter snow days. I feel like the Subaru cuts off a lot vs the 4wd constantly pushing forward.

[@LionRunner]

@16:30 I don't think I would buy a Toyota Hybrid that uses electrical motor to power rear wheels (e-AWD system). I would much prefer Toyota Hybrid system that uses the electric motor/generator in front of the transmission where the 4wd system is fully mechanical, so if the battery is exhausted there is no impact to the 4wd system.

[@labornurse]

All manufacturers use different awd systems with different front to rear bias, some are fulltime, some parttime.

[@prideperformaceproductions]

The latest updated side impact crash results have come out for the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, and which I believe they performed poor according to the IIHS. Are these crash test ratings impacting the scoring and rating of the Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.

[@usafa13n]

How does the calibration feel? Drivability? Smooth?

[@anotheran]

If you’re an appliance driver and love understeer, like those who drive a Prius, fwd is perfectly fine with a set of good tires.

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thank you

[@benjaminpage4288]

Good episode, where are the hybrid HP numbers? .PS: Go to work, the zoom thing sucks. The rest of us are working live, except Canadian Parliament of course.

[@nm1000]

The AWD Q&A caught my attention because not having it would save money in this MSRP+ car market.

[@Vailwine]

you can't take the difference on money with you!

[@VeganRod]

You didn’t give the MPG ratings.

[@nickolastiguan]

The front sort of looks like the CITROËN C5 X

[@chaso4937]

WOW JEN!! YOU LET YOUR HAIR GROW OUT A LITTLE; I THINK IT LOOKS VERY NICE!! I THINK THAT'S THE LONGEST I'VE SEEN IT SINCE YOU STARTED DOING THIS SHOW!! ( I think it makes you look younger, too!! )

[@mrios723]

You can’t find the Hybrid anywhere though and dealers are really padding the fees due to the supply and demand.

[@michaelflude9334]

I live in uk ,I understand kia sportage is very popular, kia have sold many, & everything I see is positive about sportage.but now I'm hearing of mechanical issues with 2023 sportage, is it true they are prone to problems. My order is for gts full hev my25 model. Should I worry

[@jazmenmartin1548]

I admire the dual volume and temperature nobs. To me it allows for a more sleek look for the dashboard. Less buttons, less nob clutter and a clean look/finish.

[@mementomori29231]

Exactly, it works great after a brief usage period. No issues at all.

[@willsherman3527]

The temperature versus volume switch, can be easily solved. We use the mode button and the star button on the steering wheel to control the media when driving. Works great! You can change all that in the settings under button on the big screen. And you can set the default to temperature and climate for the panel. I used the star button to turn off media. Simple option. Did you guys really try these cars out?

[@labornurse]

Awd helps in the rain as well, no matter the season

[@rustywilliamson7140]

Sunds like an interesting car, but how the heck can you get one, and if you somehow find one the MSRP markup is thousands.

[@kippaseo8027]

Why doesn't Consumer Reports mention very much about the car's reliability?

[@toronado455]

I think CR has to keep some things behind their paywall.

[@rinbine2713]

Kia is J.D. power No.1 in 2021.

[@KickinItWithMyHomies]

it's a brand new design/model so there is only "predicted reliability" which is really just based on the brand's track record and total guess. that's why it's important that Kia has such a good warranty compared to other similar brands to give some piece of mind.

[@husq48]

When are you going to test the Dodge Hornet???

[@DoorisJ]

Another big reason Hybrids & EVs are going dual motor is for regenerative-braking capturing more

[@MF-tv5hi]

What about reliability and dependability? Please advise!!

[@penvon]

Well I’d still park it outside like Kia/Hyundai said,just in case the engine catches on fire…Also heard that insurance companies might be charging more because of the fire issue if you get one of these.

[@toronado455]

Toyota hybrid AWD systems don't add any power because they use the same size battery pack as the FWD hybrid. They just divide the existing power between front and rear axles.

[@East17A]

thank you guys for the content. I really like the discussion. but the reason why we all actually agree on the volume knob. or the tuning knob. because of the automotive interior designer. they get carried away with the infotainment system to make it better to the point they are lost its principle from it. I wish they give building the engine the same focus thoughts and concerns just as much as they do with the infotainment system. and I wish they give up the stupid Piano shiny black in any interior service. I don't know why they are insisting to push such material on the consumer?! I personally need to know what Kia or Hyundai did regarding the Engines failure that catch on fire. I'm as a consumer I heard nothing about that. either company talks about it !! that is a concern. in upstate new york. their dealership Kia and Hyundai doesn't have a good customer service reputation. I don't know why I haven't had any dealing with them but it is a concern. I'm a Toyota owner. I have a 2012 Venza V6 AWD. excellent reliable Vehicle. and that is my second Toyota Due to reliability. I'm an ordinary person I don't have too much cash to buy a different car every ten years. that's why. Gm. Ford. and Dodge. Vehicles are out of my shopping list especially since I buy used ones.

[@nixnet83]

hybrid = green turbo :D yeah pretty much, BUT in this case we already have an engine with a turbo :D living with non-turbo hybrid for years I already was thinking same way, you just need to remember this turbo.has a battery. Try not to push it too far, because when it depletes, you can expect a drop in both gears and MPG to charge the battery again. on the point with the gear selector - I prefer this kind of rotary selector - I think its nice to have separate button for Park. BTW if You are not sure what is selected, You can look at the screen in front of the driver - it says D, P or R...

[@bho6486]

I love Keith's new glasses! I wonder what you think of the turbo/hybrid engine combination in the Sportage (said the Canadian way) and the Tucson. They seem to work against each other. I would be concerned about the long term reliability. I will be interested to watch how it does in your long term data over the next few years (post warranty).

[@Vailwine]

AWD delivers 12 month's a year, think rain, think when you rear end is sliding out. And on snow by adding proper tires your have an amazing 4 season video.

[@MikeMageeGoog]

Keith what is that ancient computer in the background?

[@toronado455]

yes, i wonder the same thing every time Keith is on the show. "inquiring minds want to know" 😊

[@TheUsflow]

I know you haven't tested it, but what is your best guess for how the plug in Sportage would score?

[@MrMasterSpam]

So if you're gripping about Kia's buttons and knobs.... what are you going say about Volvo's new Google single screen switching?

[@toronado455]

Exception to the rule is the Honda CR-V hybrid which CR says is worse than the non-hybrid.

[@rethinkcps2116]

How much for the Kia?

[@PocketAces500]

I wonder if that computer behind Keith is operable?

[@FakeAccount-df7ny]

I wish Consumer Report would have warned me about the less-than-expected EPA gas mileage. *I'm avg. 31.7 mpg

[@rinbine2713]

They don't know about Kia shifter. In parking situation, You have to a several R/D gear change. Ford shifter system need to specific position. Kia shifter system don't need(except neutral gear). The Kia system is easier than the Ford system. And, They don't know about the hidden feature of the climates controller.

[@GregTwriter]

Yes. The fact is you have all the audio options on your steering wheel like every other modern car, and you can set up the dash to default to air/heat settings after a few seconds of not being used when making a sound change (or default to radio/map/sound if you prefer). Same as any other solution and not hard at all to decipher or learn. How often are people fiddling with the sound and air? You can also adjust everything from the infotainment system and have the bottom dash be one function all the time and the infotainment be the other function, so everything is present at once. All Kia is doing is giving the user options, which I appreciate.

[@ddhsd]

Oh you mean holding the climate or radio button for 3 secs locks the display to whatever you choose 😂 Seriously I have watched over a dozen Sportage reviews complain about this and only recently rhe Kia media people started pointing the feature out to car reviewers.

[@glenleeedwards]

AWD doesn’t lock the tires to the road. This is a common mistake that many AWD owners make, including myself. My first trip in snow, I assumed I’d have traction just like on a dry road. I didn’t. AWD simply gets all 4 wheels rolling so that if enough of them have contact with the road, it will get you moving and help keep you moving where FWD or RWD won’t. There’s no guarantee that it will keep you moving in a straight line. You may be fish-tailing all over. I require all my family members to have AWD. We’re all essential workers. During a recent 12”+ snow here in Minnesota, all of us were able to drive out of our unplowed driveway and make it to work. A coworker of mine was stranded at home for two days because his FWD was stuck in his drive while commercial plowing companies were so backed up that they couldn’t get to him right away.

[@ltvuong]

All Quebec-plated vehicles must have winter tires from December 1 to March 15.

[@adriancooper78]

All wheel drive. Obviously the Prius owner has not driven a Subaru hard in extreme weather. Love all wheel drive.

[@joeb4294]

But do you also equip winter tires?

[@specialcookday]

But remember AWD has issues when one tire needs new tire you got to change all 4 tires to new tires and that would be another $800 to $1.4K. There are good point and you pay for that.

[@ffsolutions9442]

That is the powertrain we bought two months ago, and it’s simply amazing, and a much more comprehensive vehicle compared to the previous generation. In Europe the vehicle is also smaller, so it feels more sporty and nippy. We love it!

[@nickolastiguan]

🤣 @ y’all complaining about $4/gallon for regular “gas”

[@toronado455]

ikr

[@seankirby1327]

My Ford C-max Energi has 188hp 188ft lb......seamless engine to battery

[@jbar_85]

I wonder if it will catch on fire?

[@noname-JS]

I'm so happy I'm single and can afford my $72K hybrid Volvo -- these cars are fine for half the price but pale in comparison to the new luxury mild hybrids

[@mikec9077]

Your gonna lose so much money on it though, should’ve bought a used Volvo for 60%off

[@henrycruz45cal]

No, passengers don't touch the volume! Everyone should use the steering wheel, i have been for about 20 year

[@willsherman3527]

I agree. Rotary gear changer was not a problem for us at all. I think the vast majority of people buying these cars have never had a rotary gear changer. The problems you guys have are strictly based on your habits as people who drive and test a lot of cars. Silly part of the review.

[@thefingerofgod69]

Honestly, the whining about the volume/climate thing is ridiculous. It took me a week to get used to it. As that one guy said, I leave it on climate and adjust the volume on the steering wheel. When I have to change it using the knob, it automatically goes back to climate because I set the system to do that. My mind is now used to it being on climate so I know that I have to switch it when I want to manipulate the radio from the head unit.

[@TheBlackDove]

Some people talk on the phone a lot (on the headphones) or listen podcasts that are at different volume levels thus needing to adjust volume very often. I find myself using the volume knob every 5 minutes and while driving in town and turning the steering wheel all the time, is hard to find the volume button on the latter.

[@matthewcheung5136]

Isn't the PHEV even better than the HEV?

[@bradleys4941]

CR scores Hyundai Tuscon hybrid MUCH higher than Sportage hybrid, odd ,since,both SUV's are basically the same vehicle/same platforms/same engines....even the reliability is rated for Tuscon is MUCH better???

[@KickinItWithMyHomies]

what are the scores for those of us without paywall access?

[@c.daubz.5386]

Awd should be considered necessary safety

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

If you want more knobs, get the poverty spec model.

[@Jamie-ro6sx]

We need more hydrogen or electric vehicles in UK! It's 2022 not 2002!

[@techpappee]

Or he could just use steering wheel controls.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Why does CR gush all over Hyundai/Kia but they never talk about, or even acknowledge the fact that they've been sued countless times by consumers, states, and even the federal government for not issuing recalls when they should, denying warranty claims for engine fires, oil consumption, lying about mpg claims, and electronic issues? They even got caught training their customer service reps to blame issues on the customers and denying all warranty claims right away, and only responding when the customer threatens to get lawyers involved. These are policies done by another horrific Korean company: Samsung. I was born in South Korea, and I'm ashamed of the behavior of Hyundai/Kia.

[@JC-rn5tk]

Isolated incident, but I had a brake problem after driving my 2012 Hyundai Genesis too fast through deeper than expected flash flood water. Could consider that driver's responsibility, but Hyundai replaced the affected equipment under warranty with absolutely no hesitation.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

@@JC-rn5tk I’m talking about thousands of engine fires due to bad design and manufacturing, and Hyundai/Kia refusing to warranty the engines until they got sued by the government and forced to issue recalls.

[@jpnorth3557]

Fair criticisms. These turbos and even the new naturally aspirated engines, however, are technically new. Time will tell if they have the same issues in a new package or if they’ve finally addressed the previous fire problems. On the other hand, Hyundai and Kia have gotten really good at listening to what customers want in cars and are delivering (where old dependables like Toyota and Honda seem increasingly tone deaf in my opinion when it comes to some of their design choices). Their overall initial build quality has improved substantially from when they started and they’re now offering more cutting edge design with lots of European engineers on board.

[@rncondie]

Toyota has been in the hybrid business for 20 years. Why would you look elsewhere for a hybrid?

[@penvon]

IKR…Maybe got some money from Kia/Hyundai.

[@chekvb]

Because this is a better car.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

@@chekvb It is until the warranty is up.

[@jimthumerzs2301]

The rotary shift knob would be a deal-breaker for me.

[@TalismanPHX]

Lots of EV6 styling language.

[@dkh4487]

It was Toyota's fault making hybrids snail slow. They should have made high performance hybrid available years ago and now is too late Tesla made EV so SYFY and powerful which make hybrids undesirable.

[@bradweinberger6907]

These three should get out of their bedrooms and back to the studio space all together

[@LP-sp4sf]

I think the show is equally good in person or virtually.

[@seanmullan8203]

Keith is right. You are pronouncing it wrong

[@danymanchster1759]

This thing has a turbo, transmission, and motors. More moving things and new system means low reliability compared to the simple system found in Toyota and Honda

[@timothywood4972]

I disagree with you regarding the 2.5 liter engine. At 187 horsepower and 178 pound feet of torque, it's got plenty of power to get the job done, and does so with zest.....I LOVE my Sportage's performance. I LOVE it !. You people need to understand, that the 2.5 liter engine is on par with the class. I'm an automotive engineer, and I've been buying and driving brand new cars since 1987, and I've owned 30 of them. I own a 2023 Kia Sportage X-line with the 2.5 liter naturally aspirated in 4 cylinder. I find it to be plenty quick, with excellent low and mid range power. The 8 speed automatic transmission is just perfection; superb, none this CVT CRAP !! . As for your evaluation regarding the power delivery, you' re wrong again. The engine makes excellent low and mid range power. Honesty, you pseudo- car journalist try too hard to sound profound when talking about cars. and, forgive me, however, it really just makes you sound all the more ignorant. Trust me, I've got plenty of cars to compare it to. I own a Jeep Grand Cherokee (2023) as well as a Mercedes G-Wagon, and a few other big horsepower cars. You must remember , you have to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. PERIOD ! As far this hybrid powertrain, I drove one, not impressed; laggy -1.6 turbocharged engine teamed to a lazy electric motor, that may have plenty of pep up to 2100 rpm, but after that I found myself constantly mashing the throttle to overcome the lag of that turbocharged 1.6 liter engine.

[@glenleeedwards]

We test drove a new 2023 sportage with less than 10 miles on it. HP rating is similar to my wifes Equinox (175hp with a 1.5L turbo), but the acceleration was so horrendously slow that we opted not to buy it. My Honda Goldwing DCT was such a disappointment at first while accelerating in any mode, but especially in sport mode, that I regretted buying it. However, at about 750 miles, it suddenly turned into a crotch-rocket in sport mode. Apparently the computer held back on power until the engine was broken in. It’s possible the sportage is doing the same thing. But we’re unwilling to spend over $40,000 just to find out that it doesn’t.

[@tanhuynh9617]

You guys have been repeatedly going out of your way to not mention Tesla, even though they are the pioneer of electrification. You have lost credibility in my eyes.

[@markgoldner3083]

Reality check: The Sportage Hybrid and it’s twin the Tucson Hybrid are as rare find as the Do Do Bird. If you can find them, the dealers are asking (stealing) anywhere from 10 to 20% above MSRP. That negates any money saving on fuel, not to mention the value of the car when you go to sell or trade it! God help you if you want a plug-in Hybrid. You probably have to give up your first born male child to get your hands on one. The whole hybrid story is a fairytale right now till this chip and parts shortage situation turns around in a year or two!

[@rinbine2713]

Do you know rav4's mark up?

[@michaelflude9334]

Not good wont answer questions

[@KevinSandy2]

Big deal. The car cannot be purchased.

[@chipdouglas9847]

I hope all you ANIMAL LOVERS know that in South Korea 2 million dogs are EATEN as food each year. So if you want to support a country that eats our beloved best friend, by all means buy a KIA.

[@aussiedeplorable8670]

If you want a hybrid you buy a Toyota