More than ever before, Kia cars can be found parked in driveways across the United States thanks to the innovative design backed by the best warranty coverage Kia offers. Back in 1990, when the company first began selling cars in the United States, there were only two models available: the Kia Sportage and Kia Sephia. In 2023, the Sportage will be completely redesigned from the ground up, and it doesn't end there. The Sportage Hybrid was also announced by Kia, and here's what we know so far about it.
Is it possible for the Sportage Hybrid to be as successful as the Kia Telluride? The numbers on paper appear to be promising!
A New Hybrid Powertrain Produces 226-Hp Combined
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid will carry a 1.6-liter turbocharged, 4cylinder engine and mates that with a 44kW electric motor, which makes for an impressive combined horsepower of 226. Based on the N-platform, the new Sportage will be more capable than ever for both city driving and a bit of off-road capability thanks to the redesigned wheelbase alongside other refreshed details from Kia.
The Niro, was Kia's answer to the Mazda's CX-30, and has been the only hybrid that Kia had. Known for being “not as quick”, Kia took notes and built the Sportage in a way it no longer sits on the edge from the competition but can now compete directly. The engine itself makes 177 horsepower and is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
The 2023 Sportage will also be capable of towing 2,000 pounds and have a combined fuel mileage of 500 miles. This sets Kia to a whole new standard when it comes to Hybrid SUVs. While different trim levels will bring different options, all 2023 Sportage Hybrid will come standard with paddle shifters and drive mode select with ECO, Sport, Smart, and Snow modes. The 2023 Sportage Hybrid will be offered in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX-Prestige.
Cutting Edge Design Of The Kia Sportage
2023 brings a new Sportage, loaded with features and backed by Kia’s strategy to get into their target buyers. Kia was awarded the “Triple Crown” thanks to their success story of the Telluride, a somewhat bigger, bolder, and more American SUV, which is a mid-size SUV like the Sorento or Sportage. The redesigned Sportage is Kia’s answer to the mid-size SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Honda CR-V. The matter and fact is Kia is pushing its limits and building a rock-solid, sharp, and very sophisticated look for the new Sportage, and it looks far better than most of the competition.
The traditional tiger nose grille, which comes in almost all recent Kia models, paired with boomerang-shaped headlights add up to a dramatic presence. It doesn't stop there, as all the 2023 models will get front and rear LED lights and a very clean looking exterior. The new Sportage is now 7.1 inches longer and a half-inch taller and wider. The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid features class-leading rear legroom with 41.3 inches of room and a best-in-Class rear cargo capacity of 39.5 cu-ft. of space.
Tech Savvy Interior Filled With Options
The 2023 Sportage, including the Hybrid model as well, makes a good first impression with a sleek design thanks to the huge curved digital display. This display combines two screens for nearly 25-inch viewing (12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment screen). The Sportage Hybrid also has wireless phone charging and a Harman-Kardon premium audio system as an option. The center console is easily accessible as Kia still kept buttons as part of their center console control: heated and ventilated seats alongside the heated steering wheel can be activated at the press of the button. This is also the first Sportage to feature a 360-degree camera with a 3D view.
New To The Sportage
Blind Spot Collision Avoidance is taken to the next level by Kia. This is a new feature the Sportage will carry, and it helps drivers when exiting a parking spot, and avoid collisions with vehicles on the other side by automatically assisting with braking. The digital cluster will also show a live view of the vehicles in the blindspot when the turn signal is active. Lane Following Assist can read and analyze road marks and provide steering inputs.
Final Take On New Sportage Hybrid
While there hasn’t been any price release for the Hybrid, there is one thing we can all agree upon. Based on the great success Kia achieved with the Telluride in 2021 we should expect the 2023 Sportage to be a class-leading SUVs when it comes to driving a Hybrid. The numbers look great, and the pricing might be just as right to make everyone love the new Sportage Hybrid.