2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid AWD Review and Off-Road Test

[@LukeHul]

Ryan, another excellent vid! Would love to see a vid where you summarize recent test drives of vehicles in the same class to hilight their differences: more vehicles compared in one episode. Not asking to advise which you like most 😊, I just find your reviews honest, objective and pragmatic - thanks for the awesomeness 🙏

[@sumnersmith808]

Great idea, this^!!

[@Joe-nb3fs]

Remember folks, the purpose of the test is to see how the vehicle's AWD system handles loss of traction, which could happen in lots of scenarios, not whether Ryan can will it to the top of the hill. Maybe a different mode would have helped in this situation, but this is the mode that the car is most likely to be run in. Its inability to redistribute the power, and then its shutting down entirely -- without any obvious "hey, we're overheating here. AWD is disabled" warning -- is a valid data point.

[@tsmatthx2]

It wasn't in awd

[@Joe-nb3fs]

@@tsmatthx2 Didn't he say it was in Smart Mode?

[@tsmatthx2]

@@Joe-nb3fs use eyes...2 wheels moved.

[@moloono1]

@@tsmatthx2 He literally said that the center was locked and was in smart mode at 18:00

[@rangertx4161]

@@tsmatthx2 I have this vehicle and it's always in AWD, so use eyes and see that the cluster had the power distribution to all wheels (17:04). It just shut down and didn't move. Just because you saw 2 wheels spin, doesn't mean it wasn't in AWD. The Sportage is not an off-road vehicle for sure and Kia still has a ways to go if they want it to be one.

[@TK0O0O0O0]

Love these vids. What a gorgeous location for an off-road test :) I wonder how my outback would’ve performed on that last climb

[@papadougpapadougsadventures]

Thanks for sharing the difficulty of caring for a matte paint job. I really thought that was what I wanted until I heard you talk about the difficulty of care. I won’t be getting that finish.

[@thomsonlaurie]

Very glad I came across this video - I was surprised to see the many great reviews of this vehicle and thought I should check it out further as I liked the sleek look. This video made me realize however that it is not the vehicle for me. Your comment about it stopping without warning was my first red flag and your test drive raised several others - thank you.

[@florinbarbur4116]

My conclusion to this video is that I feel so blessed that I bought my 2022 Subaru Outback XT, after considering few other vehicles (this Kia Sportage was one of them). I installed a new set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and I had a lot of fun in the snow over the last winter

[@moloono1]

You really chose the better vehicle. Congrats on your new Subaru!

[@shapeshifter7676]

Yeah, if you do a lot of off roading, that's a much better choice

[@fredbuzzell117]

The Hyundai/kia hybrid CUVs do not have a torque converter, its a clutch and electric motor. It complicates things trying to crawl and climb from a stop. I notice on my SanteFe Hybrid sport mode keeps the clutch locked as long as possible ( dramatically increasing engine braking as well ). Should try it in sport mode with a little speed so entering the climb with the clutch locked and traction control disabled to keep from pulling power and see what it does.

[@ffsolutions9442]

Thank you for the awesome review, guys! Keep them coming! ❤

[@666neofita]

Great review, I love to watch you channel. Kia Sportage is a great car but I would not trade it for my Subaru OB 🙂

[@raphaelsanchez4797]

You do a wonderful job and I appreciate all the effort. I turn to you to determine a vehicle's off-road chops and am often surprised by the results. Thank you!

[@kirkby0076]

Don't put it in lock mode .. 👍.. My 4wd Short European 48v MHEV Sportage, did a similar gradient, very well as I was told not to lock, but allow the system to decide by my main Kia dealership, where I bought it from. It's been great on campsites & muddy hilly fishing trips.... 👍👍 Mine has 19 inche wheels

[@TheBabadush]

Kia is really doing a great job in the design department

[@kubi0461]

I know that last hill is steeper than it looks but still I’m disappointed it couldn’t make it up. I had been finding a growing interest in a Hyundai Tucson hybrid for my next vehicle. I’d assumed they have the same awd system but now I’ll definitely want to do some more checking.

[@theshadowswithin9896]

Better look up all of those fire recalls Hyundai/Kia have been having before you commit to one. Last one was March 23rd.

[@cjloha91]

​@@theshadowswithin9896 the sportage isnt on that list of vehicles having that issue.

[@kirkby0076]

Don't select lock!

[@moloono1]

Skip Kia/Hyundai altogether. Get something that’s built well and will last. You’ll save time from having to go to dealership all the time.

[@TRIBSSTUDIOS]

We Need the CRV Sport Hybrid review for the off road capability. Or a comparison between this Kia . Can’t wait to see it . Thanks

[@bikingmoments]

Can you please show a comparison footage of another SUV that easily handle the slope?

[@marinusmourik9494]

Just like many things in our modern world, everything for the looks !

[@Arinis.ltd.]

Your drone shots are amazing !

[@Jesse-xu6wx]

I ordered this car 3 times here in OC Ca. 3 times I was bait and switched for a lower model, but at a higher model price. I was without a car for 3 months until I bought a Subaru Forester Wilderness. Love the car, but I get half the MPG, and I sure miss that dash cluster and USB-C ports all over the car. I don’t even have one!? 😂😢.

[@ohnoitsmichael]

Please have Kia see this video so they now how bad their AWD system is!!

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

​@@CC-wm1yqAre you sure this version has these modes?

[@tragedium]

@@CC-wm1yqDoesn’t matter wether it’s for economy or not, 200+hp car should not struggle at this incline in any mode…

[@sowhat1393]

@@CC-wm1yq do you own one? Seems like it or you wouldn’t be so salty.

[@Jgjginkg244]

99.9% won’t even taking this thing to go off roading. Oh pul ~ease!!!! As long as it drives fine on the pavement, it’s all good. When was last time you see people taking their SUV to off roading???

[@ethanpotter-xp8xj]

@@Jgjginkg244 kia is junk

[@steveryder6733]

Excellent video. A journalist with logic understanding the buyers as well as vehicles being reviewed. Lol hyundai and kia always seem to just cut power. Saves fuel haha. If the Sportage had a great AWD setup, Subaru would be in trouble.

[@k7alo]

18:00 I think I can hear my Subaru laughing in the driveway.

[@BradWilson1969]

lol, yet when my Subaru saw that interior, it started crying. :p I'm partly kidding, as I sold my Subaru last fall. ;)

[@henrycruz45cal]

They did "cheap out" with the passenger seat; they took out the lumber support. When my wife and I switch on and off, as drivers, on our long drive to fla. I like to lay back and rest but I lose the lumber support.

[@RigiLiquid945]

It's unfortunate that in the States, you only get snow mode besides smart, eco and sport. In Canada, in addition to snow mode Kia has mud mode, and sand mode on most AWD models. Still, I don't know if that would have make a difference - that was a sad situation on on little slope.

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

Those modes should help. In a synthetic roller test the difference was huge.

[@JamesMcGillis]

That B-pillar is thick to give you protection in a possible rollover. Hyundai Heavy Industries (Kia's parent company) makes its own high strength steel. No other automaker can say that.

[@teddieteddie7535]

Wow, a brand new car that cannot be driven through a car wash. Thanks for the video & lovely views.

[@FireTrafficPolice]

As a emergency responder, I'll be sticking with my Subaru! Otherwise I'd not be able to get to some of the 9-1-1 calls I'm dispatched to.

[@tritchie6272]

I like the cargo area,but not that overly interfering collision prevention. I wonder if that can be turned off or adjusted. If I was to get one I'd probably decline the paint that needed special care. I'm glad you have been testing the cargo area for potential to sleep in it if you wanted.

[@rangertx4161]

all the collision prevention stuff can be adjusted. I had mine break very hard when I went to pass a vehicle that was pulling into a parking lot. Maybe I was passing it a bit unsafe, but the jarring from the hard break made me just turn the front collision system off.

[@TheTamrielDrunkard]

Not that I'm advocating for the Kia Sportage, but to be perfectly fair, hybrids do not get that much better gas mileage on highway if there is no traffic. They do get better gas mileage and pretty much every other scenario though.

[@ddhartma]

Did you disable traction control? I have found in my 2020 Kia SX that the TC system would keep me from moving on ice/snow, but by disabling it, the AWD system worked great.

[@MartinStockel-k6f]

I am curious if the hybrid vehicles require a special tire for increased weight. No one has said a thing about the hybrid or plug-in hybrid tires. I noticed one tire shown had a cord and plug symbol on the sidewall close to the rim.

[@bscabl]

You left traction control on and left it in smart mode. With those tires there was no chance of a smooth accent.. any reasonable person would put it in snow mode, traction off, center diff locked.. the tires would still be a detriment but the vehicle would work better to try and compensate. [yes .. that wasn't snow...but the results would be similar]

[@luminaire7085]

Have you tried a Subie on the same track with about the same weather conditions?

[@ryansulak]

Definitely very illuminating, and now I am having second thoughts if Kia can’t even conquer that little hill. Shutting down completely is insane. Were we shown all the modes? I would have loved another test besides just that one hill.

[@knightryder3757]

Do you have a CrossTrek review video for that hill climb test at that spot?

[@oogabooga72]

I've been waiting for you to test more Kia and Hyundai products Thanks!

[@Redhawk24]

Disagree with your MPG assessment! My hybrid Rav4 averages 41 mpg. What’s a Forester average?

[@TK0O0O0O0]

Don’t have one, but I drove my friends forester base model on a road trip and averaged 36mpg. Not bad

[@ayhamsaati7476]

Great review as always 👍👍 waiting for your review of the 24 Sorento X Pro!

[@michaelnoah3795]

Sadly most of the hybrid city SUV/CUV have absolutely useless AWD systems, even compared to their gas counterparts, same goes for Toyota and Honda. Really waiting to see how Subaru does with their hybrid system in the 2025 Forester. If it's any good I'll finally pull the trigger on a hybrid!

[@williamhemmerle7986]

Remember this car doesn't have a torque converter. This makes it difficult to generate power from a stop and relies on the electric motor only until the transmission is going fast enough to utilize the gas engine.

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

Are you sure there's no torque converter?

[@fredbuzzell117]

@@4x4.tests.on.rollers The electric motor occupies the space in the trans where the TQ converter would be and uses a clutch to disconnect the engine, the one benefit though is the electric motor gets to utilize the transmission gears for both propulsion and regen breaking.

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

@@fredbuzzell117 What kind of clutch is that, some multiplate? Sound like the solution which Mazda is also using.

[@bdusk1973]

I have a Kia X-pro sportage off-road package none hybrid and I don't have this problem. I was told it's geared differently however snow mode drops the power to nothing. I'll never use it. The bigger off road tires definitely help

[@MannsWoodlandPerspective]

Great review, this SUV is growing on me for the average snowfall PA winter family car. If i'm going somewhere that will have dirt hills, rocks and offroad I can just take the F150. Side question though, what camera setup are you using for the video? Lovely quality and depth of field falloff.

[@laceycharizard2546]

If you drive 4 Runner like a 4 Runner, you get mileage like a 4 Runner. If you drive a Kia Hybrid like a Kia, you might get mileage within 4 below of what it says it is If you drive a Honda CRV Hybrid like a Honda CRV, you might get a mileage it says it is. But probably not. If you drive a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Carolla Cross Hybrid, you'll get more than what it says it gets.

[@Snafu2346]

From all the rav4 hybrid test like from Alex On Autos, you'd be right. I think he was getting 50mpg on the new carolla cross hybrid

[@dailyrandom5308]

Try a non hybrid model.. I took mine out and got into a similar situation and no issues at all.

[@MrMasterSpam]

I've had a PHEV on order since October. Trouble is getting Kia to deliver one to New Mexico!

[@matthewgaines10]

The pseudo AWD lock is a low speed only feature. Once you’re above that speed, the button setting is ignored. Looks like you were above that speed.

[@Kevin01TJ]

Couldn’t give me a Kia or Hyundai for its AWD system alone. Wow! Lol great vid though.

[@riffedwood5597]

My ‘23 sportage phev has a “lock” button, which should work as a diff locker but haven’t tested it. I would hope it would’ve worked in this situation but I’ve only driven in paved roads

[@CalvinHikes]

I'm still driving a Sportage that cost me $18,000 when it was new.

[@belowme4927]

JUST A SUGGESTION, IF YOU CAN. DRIVE IN URBAN AREAS WITH POTHOLES OR ASPHALT BROKEN UP ROADS AND GIVE US YOUR IMPRESSIONS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. IT HELPED ME MAKE A CHOICE. NEW SUV NEXT WEEKEND.

[@guapybalboa1927]

The Interior is one of the best of the suv hybrids rn imo

[@keyner111]

Test the new 2023 Outlander PHEV off-road.

[@davesomera7850]

Sir, you need to review the new Audi pick up and take it off road!!!

[@moonsapling]

When are we going to see some German SUVs tested. Yes they are luxurious but most have pretty capable systems like the BMW X3 for example.

[@rngtrain4007]

It seems like you are driving very fast on the gravel road. I don't think people will normally drive that fast in such a vehicle on this road.

[@crystalminerrocks6122]

i was thinking that too

[@skyhawk21]

Not again, did it get stuck?

[@djiffackgiressenkengfack6483]

Most car manufacturers should use this guy to test drive thier cars before the final release

[@timflint25]

My neighbors own a Chinese restaurant and have 3 kids. They recently traded in their 2013 Rav4 for one of these hybrid Sportages (in black paint and not fully loaded like this one). I think it looks great, and check it out every time they drive by! They use it for delivering food and love how much money it's saving them! My 2016 Rav4 only gets about 19 mpg around our town, so it must be substantial. Personally, I would never buy a Kia (even though I really like the styling), or a hybrid either. But if you're running any kind of business that requires city driving, it's a no-brainer.

[@moloono1]

Until it break me down and you have to deal with Kia customer service and the dealerships.

[@pipin447]

Super! Me gustaría conocer tu impresión en la Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

[@bwmclaurin]

He definitely had a setting\button\software issue at the end? A buddy in our group has the same model that he isn't scared to abuse and the rear wheels never moved in the video and I know I've seen them engage when needed on my friends suv! While it's not for me personally, I think this was a specific problem and not the norm. Or my buddy just got lucky and has a good one or hasn't had problems yet if this is the norm in the forums? 👀🤷‍♂️

[@freecitizen7372]

This just goes to show all season tires are not meant for off road trails. A proper set of off road tires would make a world of difference.

[@ruzzelladrian907]

Kia’s marketing team needs to stop marketing their Sportage as off-road capable. It is an on-road vehicle meant for civilization.

[@moloono1]

Most of their vehicles are just marketing with barely sufficient engineering behind it. That’s what you get when most of the budget goes to design and technology.

[@saltyt.1886]

Great video Ryan! I think a Forester Touring would do better all the way around… and equal or beat your highway mpg to boot! Don’t even need the Wilderness version. And you can take it through the car wash afterwards no problem!! 😎

[@moloono1]

I 100% agree.

[@Pendragon501]

There's no way it comes even close to the sportage for gas mileage or power. Off road, it will definitely be better, but in all other aspects... Not even close.

[@stupidstickmen84]

Of course it’s not going to work when you put it set to snow but you’re driving in dirt/gravel 😂

[@NickMcC]

Did you happen to get a chance to hear the HK sound system? It's been pretty divisive to my understanding.

[@Pdougie2]

Would you get better fuel economy, in this hybrid, if you used the down flappy paddle to downshift gears, and put more charge into the battery, in stead of using the foot pedal brake. The way KIA is doing hybrid, using a motor AND a 6 speed auto gearbox, appears to suggest that you have to downshift the gears, in order to get more regenerative braking.

[@chrisw429]

I'm still waiting for a hybrid that has some decent off-road capabilities....this Sportage isn't it...

[@yissibiiyte]

Get a Jeep 4×e ?

[@memememine1]

Along with the Jeep 4xe models you can get the Range Rover and range Rover sport with phev. Any of these vehicles would have easlly passed the test the Kia failed in without even using any of the off-road tech.

[@trailrunnah8886]

The Jeep 4XE is awesome, but that's not a real hybrid. The thing still barely cracks 20 mpg, and with a battery range of about 22 mi, once you run out of that now you get worse mileage than the non hybrid four cylinder Wrangler. Plus they're a lot more money, and definitely not a crossover. I think the current gen is more of a test bed, the next generation of hybrid Wrangler should be a lot more interesting.

[@trailrunnah8886]

​@@memememine1 Yeah, but how much more money than this Kia are those? I know the Wrangler will easily set you back another 20k over this, and get way worse mileage.

[@ckm-mkc]

Not a hybrid, but I have a diesel F-Pace that gets 38mpg at 90mph and I've seen as high as 44mpg. If you fill it with bio-diesel, it's probably equally green. They stopped making these in 2019, so you'll have to go used. I've taken it way off-road (6" rock ledges, 30 degree slopes) on a 150+ mile off-road tour - it did great. Plus it's one of the best handling cars on road I've owned, almost as good as my GTi. With the right tires (I have Nokian ATs) it's as capable as most mid-range Range Rovers - it's basically a Velar with a different body. Just make sure you get an extended warranty, change the oil at 5k max and disable start-stop.

[@AMGrulz]

Almost seems like a DCT or tranny issue. It had the traction, but it wasn't putting enough torque down to move forward.

[@brentjs121]

Beautiful ride on 101. Is that 101 in Oregon or California ?

[@just4ivaylo92]

Washington

[@buckybadger9446]

Did you experience the same stuttering issue that you had while testing the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

[@ahmetcuneytersoy4022]

You should turn on dif lock on gear “N”, otherwise its not going to work :( I just experienced last week with my sportage

[@vladyakubets]

Hey Ryan, what trail is that? I’m only just getting into off-roading and would love an easier trail to traverse that has such a spectacular view at the end. Please let me know if you can, thanks

[@drivingsports]

It’s off Hamma Hamma road on the peninsula. No name iirc.

[@meminvalle2248]

Do you. Test. Mitsubishi outlander. Phve. 2023??

[@MyAlexWest]

do they sell on in USA?

[@hayduke4589]

Huge hole between this and the Wrangler 4xe. Solterra range and charging is a joke but the Prime system in a Forester would be intriguing.

[@elvina667]

u think Ford Focus can go up that trail ?

[@RiasatAbir]

The MUD mode locks AWD and you should have used that instead of snow mode.

[@ryzen397]

its like the center clutch does nothing lol

[@ohnoitsmichael]

It doesn't really do anything 🤣

[@Dealtoth]

I just bought mine I do not plan on driving like a crazed person plus not out to rally car drive I do not plan on driving over hills and mounds of dirt! you test this in this way and the average person will not drive it like this! You want to go get a jeep!

[@NewYorksFinest1]

Does the hybrid battery kick in when driving city driving? (under 40mpg) ?

[@ndanzig777]

I’ve read and seen that a lot of these don’t come with a spare, but a few do. Is that region based or something?

[@Sparkinheart]

Great channel. I was wondering what you would suggest for a off road / or at lease good for trails that is also hybrid to save on gas for long trips? I am actually planning a trip from here in cali to there in Washington st.

[@drivingsports]

For light trails the RAV4/Highlander hybrids are fine. For more extreme, the Jeep 4xe or the upcoming Land Cruiser (which is hybrid only.)

[@Sparkinheart]

@@drivingsports okay great, thanks for the reply :)

[@eganfo]

I have the EX Sportage hybrid and it does great in snow. I don’t think I’ll be off roading it ever, but for my needs it’s does well.

[@bcrouse1]

My one question is why did you test the Sx instead of Xpro which has all terrain tires, and better ground clearance for off roading so of course the Sx isn’t going to preform as well

[@drivingsports]

We test what the manufacturers have available. They have limited models and trims for us to test every year.

[@bcrouse1]

@@drivingsports thanks I honestly think it would have done better I plan on getting one soon. Thank you again for the reply really appreciated. Now I will subscribe Thanks Ryan

[@Camping-di6mx]

Kia Sportage hybrid car very good 기아자동차 하이브리드 너무 좋아요😊😊😊

[@DavidHarrisonRand]

Can you please let us know the trail name? I’d like to visit.

[@_JohnC_]

Definitely need to invest in PPF if you get matte paint imo

[@Tully3674]

Good review on an undervalued SUV. End was a disappointment but better tires might have made the climb less painful (doesn't dismiss the poor computer programming when it comes to the need of transferring power).

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada I really enjoyed the video my sister lives in Vancouver and and she just took possession of the 2023 kia sportage hybrid thanks for the presentation

[@mikefoehr235]

Kia/Hyundai have issues with unintended braking. This AWD system is useless. The paint is useless. How do you deal with salt in the winter if you can't go into a car wash.

[@Pdougie2]

Don't put your foot to the floor. That's why it could not get up that climb. It was not the car's fault that you had trouble getting up that climb. If you backed off of the throttle more, it would have gotten up that climb much more easily. I thought you knew what you were talking about until I watched that part of the video.

[@Doc1855]

I like the Red interior

[@mattg8205]

This is a great video. I just put a down payment on a new Sportage Hybrid. The down payment is 100% refundable if I change my mind, and considering I won't get the car for a year and a half, I have a lot of opportunity to change my mind. I'm a bit freaked out at the "resignation" at 18:13. Looks like the car was trying to only draw power from the electric motor, and couldn't get it from a stand-still. Is there not a way to "lock out" the electric motor and only use the gas motor, for times like this? Or is this a sole result of having no torque convertor? Frankly, my only concern is the single one and only steep hill in my life....the top of the lane at my cottage. Could be an issue.....

[@drivingsports]

Steep hills shouldn't be an issue. Only when traction is lost, it kind of "shuts down" power. Not unheard of for the class.

[@Funkydood]

Inevitable conclusion: It IS a family compact SUV.

[@Stew8artb4]

What if you locked the wheels?? Or did you?

[@Stew8artb4]

Sorry I just rewatched and missed that you did. Ughh.. I just bought one of these. I don't need a lot of off road capability, but it's a bummer to think it's not there.

[@moloono1]

Thank you for exposing these “off-road” CUVs for what they really are. Owners should just keep this to speed bumps in the Olive Garden parking lot 😂

[@ER-ck4ri]

Is this Flathead lake?

[@paulphim6383]

Have he tested the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid off road???

[@bourbontraveler]

Think I’ll spend an extra 20 and buy a gx

[@moloono1]

Best purchase we’ve made so far. Great on road trips, enough room for camping, capable enough to go anywhere, reliable, great resale. Bad mpg.

[@farcinue]

This is on my short list for my wife’s next car. Seems like it would also be great for road trips and the occasional soft roading. We went to Death Valley recently, and I wished we had a SUV for some of the scenic dirt roads.

[@afarangi4839]

Why do you keep braking?...You always do that

[@mathiaskeulen]

Kia's reliability for me has been horrendous. Drivetrain is super reliable, but my god everything electric breaks constantly... I am at the garage every 2 months with my Kia Sorento.

[@moloono1]

Time to trade that thing in for something more reliable.