2023 Kia Sportage PHEV Review / Is the Sportage best as a Plug-in Hybrid?

The 2023 Kia Sportage has had a big update over the previous generation. New looks, new features, and new engines. I’ve already reviewed the base and the hybrid powertrains. So that begs the question, is this PHEV variant the best of the three?
The powertrain in this Sportage PHEV is shared with other Kia & Hyundai models such as the Santa Fe or Sorento. At the core is a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that, on its own, produces 177 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque (132 kW & 264 Nm). The electric motor supplements the engine by providing an additional 90 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque (67 kW & 304 Nm). The total output of the powertrain is 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque (194 kW & 350 Nm).
Although the Sportage PHEV tips the scales at 1,937 kg (4,270 lbs), the fuel economy is pretty good, even when it’s just the engine that is providing the motivation. It is rated for 6.6 L/100km (35.6 MPG) in a city and 6.7 L/100km (35.1 MPG) on a highway. Again, just on the engine with a depleted battery which means that it will behave like a normal hybrid vehicle. However, if you consistently plug it in, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV has a combined fuel economy rating of 2.8 Le/100km (84 MPGe). During my time with the CUV, I averaged around 3.3 Le/100km (71.2 MPGe). The 2023 Sportage PHEV has a claimed electric-only driving range of 55 km (34 miles).
The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV starts in price where the hybrid Sportage ends. The EX Premium costs $45,595 CAD ($38,690 USD, X-Line) while this Sportage SX PHEV trim will cost you $48,995 CAD ($43,190 USD, X-Line Prestige).
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➡️➡️ 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗩 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: mgreviews.com/review-2023-kia...
👉👉 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲: / mgreviewsblog
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#KiaSportage #SportagePHEV #Review #Sportage #PHEv #Hybrid #SUV #TestDrive
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Vehicle provided by ‪@KiaCanada‬
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𝗞𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘃𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝘆𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼: • 2023 Kia Sportage Hybr...
𝗛𝘆𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗶 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗙𝗲 𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗩 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: • 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe ...
𝗞𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗩 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: • 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV ...
𝗠𝗮𝘇𝗱𝗮 𝗖𝗫-𝟱 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: • Comparison: 2022 Nissa...
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𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
0:00 Intro - Don't Forget to Subscribe :)
0:59 Performance - Is this engine better than the others?
7:07 Comfort - Is the Sportage spacious?
8:37 Odds and Ends - Is the Sportage well equipped?
10:33 Conclusion - Is this the best Sportage version to get?

[@zekew7546]

This reviewer has some of the best video effects in the reviewer world.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Thanks!

[@gregasajn698]

Great review!!! I hope you channel grows as it deserves!

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Thank you! :)

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Great info as always. Details that others don’t cover like the whole engine running heat thing. Assuming this would be eligible for tax credits so pricing would be halfway decent. Wish Kia had stuck to their older German like interior simplicity.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Ah yes, I forgot to mention the tax credit. That would make it a bit less expensive.

[@DHang-fh1gp]

Heating the cabin with engine is much more effective in Canadian cool winter. I own a Rav4-Prime, the heating is not enough in EV mode. I need to force it into Hybrid mode if I want to warmup my cabin quickly.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

How cool of a winter are we talking? Obviously we're a bit spoiled here in Vancouver with temps barely dipping below -3 Celsius.

[@mayankpatel9192]

That's a very good point. I Was looking down on Kia/Hyundai for not having Heat Pump. Since I live at very cold place, It takes atleast 10 good minutes to heat up the cabin even on Engine mode , forget EV mode heating it in even 20 minutes 😃

[@mrq1701]

When the engine runs to provide heat for the cabin heater, does it charge the batteries as well?

[@alexbusteni]

What model/trim îs more reliable? IT sens a lot of new 2023 sportage have engine problems!

[@lgbunbury]

Great Review! I don’t like that engine has to run for cabin heat but otherwise it seems like a solid vehicle!

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Thanks! Yea, solid daily CUV. As I said, I still averaged about 3.3 L/100km which is really good and in warmer climates, it could be better. But we just got a dump of snow here in Vancouver today haha. So cabin heating it is lol.

[@RigiLiquid945]

Of Kia cars, I owned a Borrego EX 4x4 V8 for 10 years, a 2015 Sportage LX AWD for 8 years, and I currently own a 2019 Sorento V6 LX Premium, and a 2019 Niro SX Touring hybrid. The Borrego was my favourite, but I like the features of the Niro, and it uses 1/3 of the fuel. The fact that the engine turns on for heat, or to charge doesn't matter. It's just so efficient. Someday I will trade it in for a PHEV, probably another Niro. I used to own Pontiac, Chev, even an Isuzu Trooper, but the Kia quality since 2010 is better in my experience.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Funny you mention the Niro, I have the EV version on demo next week so expect to see the video in about 3 weeks time.

[@kevinmoraes859]

Hi ur videos are amazing Please could u do a review comparison between Kia sportage hybrid VS Hyundai hybrid.. Thanks 🙏

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I'm not sure if I'll be able to review them together but I did review both cars in separate videos. Sportage Hybrid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX2znauKnZ6kY5o Tucson hybrid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3mUhYOVf7-Heqc

[@michaelcraik2951]

Hybrids and PHEV will have pros and cons for each individuaql person. Hybrids are designed foe that conservitive driver. Quick acceleration might not be the first thing in mind for someone who is looking for a hybrid or PHEV. As for cabin warmth, I completely understand why KIA chose to go with engine warth over battery. If you live in the northern USA or Canada, where you might get -25 degree temps, It would drain the battery so fast. Unless you park inthe underground or garage, this is a huge factor to consider. Pros and cons to any vehicle. You just need to figure out what works best for you. Sportages are very reasonably proces for what you get compared to Toyota and Honda.

[@Jack_Hunt]

So would you say a hybrid sportage would be better suited for Canada winters than a PHEV or Electric? Or do you thinks a regular GAS sportage would be best suited for Canada winters.

[@thomasng3149]

Great article and video, I've done a quick view of both, regarding the engine turning on for heating up even at EV mode, do you mean that the vehicle is still driven by battery and yet the engine is just running at 1300rpm for the heating? or the whole vehicle is actually driven by the engine not the battery, ie, just like a traditional gasoline vehicle, until it is warm enough to turn the engine off and go back to battery at EV mode?

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Glad you liked the video :) If the car is in EV mode, the engine acts like a generator and it will spin at 1,300 rpms to provide heating for the cabin and recharge the battery. It does not drive the wheels in this mode. Once there's sufficient heat for occupants, it will shut off. The electric motors still do the driving in EV mode even if the engine is running. In Hybrid or Auto mode, the engine drives the wheels in combination with the electric motors.

[@MsWoodgnome]

The point you make about the missing PTC (electric cabin heating without using the engine) is well made. I note the Kia Niro can have the 5.5kW PTC - but it is impossible to find out if it is standard or extra in the UK market. In the US it is a specifiable option in te WInter Pack. Any idea?

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Somebody else asked me about this on my Kia Niro video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5evZIZoitagg5Y) and I'm not sure if the Niro PHEV has a PTC or not but it behaved the same way as this Sportage for providing cabin heat.

[@MsWoodgnome]

@@MGReviewsBlog I think in the UK it is confusingly called the Heat Pump option at £900. Would you pay this?

[@MGReviewsBlog]

@MsWoodgnome in the long run, heat pumps do provide efficiency and more energy savings. But offff.... that is expensive. I guess I would if I planned on keeping the car for a very long time. But otherwise I guess I could live with the engine turning on during the winter months.

[@MsWoodgnome]

@@MGReviewsBlog After further unconfirmed research - it appears the PTC is an option that can be fitted to the PHEV trim 3 & 4 only. PTC is never fitted to the HEV. The Heat Pump is an EV only option (£900) and is clearly visible in the engine bay (when fitted) as a manifold with four plus pipes - utilising spare battery temperature for heating / conditioning battery temperature for more efficient recharging. PTC is standard on EV.

[@SGR47]

Could you, please, comment on situation when cabin cooling is used? Is the rule that ICE has to be ON still applies?

[@MGReviewsBlog]

The times that I had this car (and other Hyundai/Kia PHEVs on demo) have been during the winter months. So I never had a chance to try the A/C because the A/C only goes to as low as 15 degrees celcius and the exterior temp was always less than 10. So even with that temperature differential, it thinks that the cabin still needs heat. But from what I've been able to find on the internet is that the engine does not need to turn on for A/C during the hot summer months. Again, haven't tested it for myself due to the timing that these cars have been available to me.

[@Tienlinhho]

whats the total approx range on Gas/hybrid only? and what about summer time when AC need to be on, will the engine kicked in too or just EV is fine? Thanks!

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Kia's media page is stating that it is 430 miles (690 km). www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/sportage-phev/2023/specifications As for the A/C, I've had this conversation with others and tried to find some other details and it appears that the car will remain in EV mode for A/C during the summer (as heat is not required). I unfortunately could not test this because I was given the car during the winter months :/

[@alexalexin4338]

How long do you have to wait in Ontario for a car like this? Thank you

[@MGReviewsBlog]

I don't own this car and I'm not actually from Ontario... despite what the plates say. It's owned by Kia Canada and that's where their head office is so that's where they decided to register the car. I'm not sure what the wait times are for this car at dealerships.

[@niranjang7245]

What would be the total horsepower and torque once the battery is depleted after 55kms or so..any info on it..

[@MGReviewsBlog]

The car won't let the battery go completely flat. It'll hold about 15 to 20% charge even though the range estimate says 0 km. It holds onto that charge for the very reason you mentioned. On its own, the engine produces 177 hp & 195 lb-ft of torque.

[@JoseMichell]

I am getting a new 2023 Kia Sportage SX Hybrid PHEV full loaded with the appearance protection add-on. How much should be the cost of this car plus taxes? Thanks for any reply.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Since I made this video, it looks like the MSRP of the SX PHEV has gone up to $49,295 CAD. Here in Vancouver where I live, it's eligible for up to $7,000 CAD in rebates. But these rebates and price will differ in your region. Best thing to do is to shop around the Kia dealers in your region to try and find the best deal. From what I hear, a lot of dealers still ask for markups but there are a few that will honour the MSRP.

[@andrewjago4092]

Why does your phev look different then others? Looks like regular hybrid bumper.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Which country are you in? It could be different between markets.

[@aronjohnson3374]

What are the advantages of a hybrid plug-in vs a regular hybrid?

[@MGReviewsBlog]

A plug-in hybrid allows you to drive for around 45-55 km (depending on the vehicle) on just electricity. So for short errands, you don't need to use the engine to power the car. A normal hybrid supplements the engine but providing a boost in power and efficiency but you can only drive on electricity for very brief periods; maybe 1-2 km every few minutes. Generally speaking, if you have lots of short errands and you plug-in your PHEV often, you shouldn't need to refuel your car for a month, or maybe more, thus saving you money in gas as the cost of electricity is much less expensive.

[@aronjohnson3374]

@@MGReviewsBlog thank you!!

[@jujhaarsekhon9705]

@@MGReviewsBlog I’ve been waiting so long to test drive the sportage phev but no one has one in stock?. I live in Surrey bc

[@MegaWilliam2003]

Unfortunately in 95% of canada, most PHEV véhicules ( including the rav prime and new outlander phev ) the engine will start up to heat up the interior in the winter. Vancouver is the exception due to its warm climate compared to the rest of canada .

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Oh? I've driven both of those other cars you mention and the electric heaters that they have never had issues with cabin heating. But it does make sense that in more extreme cold climates (like the prairies or great lakes region) the engine would need to help out for cabin heating. Do you happen own an Outlander PHEV or Rav4 Prime?

[@fireinside1984]

@@MGReviewsBlog He never responded because He is flat out wrong. The only mentioned PHEV that lacks a heat pump is the KIA. The rest have them and if pluged in will use grid power to use climate control, leave for the day at the temp you want and 100 percent charge. nothing a KIA can do. This is a major downside for KIA Canadian buyers.

[@timhewison5187]

@@fireinside1984 I see the fact that the Sportage doesn't use a heat pump in cold Canadian winters as an advantage. During the cold snap early in 2024 in Western Canada, I did hear of certain models of PHEV's which use heat pumps that were not able to keep up when the weather was bitterly cold. However, it is not disputable that a heat pump is more efficient and practical especially if you do not encounter extreme cold temperatures.

[@fireinside1984]

@@timhewison5187 If heat pump cant keep up then the engine starts and provides heat, no problem. If you have a KIA anytime you want heat the engine must run burning way more gas in the winters. I don't see any situation where this would be an advantage.

[@timhewison5187]

@@fireinside1984 I do see your point. However, I am only suggesting that a heat pump will not be as important in colder climates where the engine will be utilized more frequently for the source of heat! I would not exclude the option to purchase a Sportage PHEV simply on the basis that it doesn't have a heat pump. I do think the Sportage PHEV stands out against it's competition because of it's superb value proposition. Much that was outlined in the video.

[@haroldsimard7263]

Much more pretty than the Rav4 prime. especielly the interiour.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

I agree. I do like how it looks but I just wish Kia would choose a different material to use instead of gloss black.

[@shichynwang]

I would take engine heating over heat pump. Let battery drives the vehicle and engine heat rejection warms the cabin and charge battery. If you want heat pump, get a pure EV.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

Most other PHEVs use an electric heater for cabin heat. I don't think any of them use heat pumps, those are for the EVs.

[@Antiorganizer]

The biggest problem is that it is a Kia.

[@MGReviewsBlog]

How is that a problem?

[@Antiorganizer]

@@MGReviewsBlog Both Hyundai and Kia have a disproportionate number of problems, including but not limited to their engines. There are mass class action lawsuits with setlements where most owning 2011-2018 for example, ended up with lifetime engine warranties as they tend to fail. A factory in Alabama caused that trouble from 2011 to 2018. Some dealers replaces hundreds of engines per year. You don't see that with other brands. There are other quality related lawsuits in the works also. For these reasons, it is not wise to pick those brands. I know it's tempting because they are competitive, but the risk is too high.

[@kcwilcox1]

Only if you can’t afford one 🤣🤣🤣