Are you ready to purchase a Kia Sportage? Looking for Kia Sportage reviews? The price, features, images, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are provided so that you can decide if the type of car is ideal for you.
Kia Sportage Review – With its plush ride, roomy interior, and enormous trunk, the Kia Sportage stands out. It also has some appealing technological features and cutting-edge driving aids. The Sportage’s sluggish acceleration and disappointing fuel economy are its biggest drawbacks.
To find out more, keep reading.
Specs About Kia Sportage Review
Pros
- Stylish, quiet and high-tech interior
- Roomy seating and a huge cargo area
- Added off-road capability with X-Pro trim
Cons
- Standard engine supplies leisurely acceleration
- Subpar fuel economy from this engine too
Technology
How’s the tech? Kia offers loads of in-car tech and driver aids with the Sportage. Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a plethora of USB-A and -C ports in both rows. The instrument cluster and infotainment system of our test car each had a 12.3-inch display, and it also had a wireless charging pad. Although it’s disappointing that it doesn’t have real-time traffic information, onboard navigation, which our test Sportage had, is easy to use. Additionally, while you’re moving, the touchscreen inputs become locked out.
Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view monitor, and parking assistance are just a few of the many driver assistance features that are available for the Sportage. We enjoy how everything functions in practical settings. The adaptive cruise holds good gaps without constantly tapping the brakes, and we didn’t have any false alerts with any of the collision systems. Only the key fob is needed for Smart Park to move the Sportage into or out of a parking space. It’s a neat party trick.
Storage
How’s the storage? Any contemporary small SUV worth its salt now comes equipped with storage, and the Sportage does not disappoint. The Sportage is among the most roomy vehicles in this class, offering 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded down and 39.6 cubic feet of space with it up front. The load floor is wide and flat, and the rear seats can be folded down from the hatch. Even larger rear-facing car seats can fit comfortably in the backseats, which also have anchors for child safety seats that are fairly simple to find and use.
There is great storage throughout the rest of the cabin. There is a small lidded container in the center console that is large enough to hold more than just a phone and contains USB ports and a wireless pad. It is located in front of the shifter. Also clever are the cupholders, which can retract into the walls to make room for larger beverages or add another bin for accessories. When fitted with the necessary accessories, the Sportage can tow up to 2,500 pounds. That is sufficient for a small boat or trailer and average for a small SUV.
Wildcard
We think this Sportage is an improvement over the previous model in appearance, but we’re not convinced the styling will be for everyone. It’s forceful, aggressive, and perhaps a little excessive. However, hey, perhaps you adore that! While most people probably won’t share our enthusiasm for Kia’s interior design direction, we do.
Although the X-Pro trim is intended to handle more off-road work and even appears a little rugged, we are unsure if it can really step up. Since we spend the majority of our time on the road, the powertrain is probably the weakest link in this situation and is the reason why our experience is ruined.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Sportage’s standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a lone electric motor combined to produce 226 horsepower in the hybrid model. Front- or all-wheel drive can be paired with either powertrain. A plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive is also available; it has the same gasoline engine as the standard hybrid but a stronger electric motor and a larger battery pack. We sampled both the base four-cylinder and the hybrid powertrain during our initial test drive and were more satisfied with the latter than the former. The hybrid’s extra power and low-end push from the electric motor make it feel much more responsive. When we tested the plug-in hybrid model, it zipped to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds at our test track. The Sportage has a longer wheelbase and rides on a new platform, which improves ride comfort. The introduction of trims with a tough exterior, like the X-Line, gives the small ute an off-road vibe, but the X-Pro actually has some equipment to help it handle the rough terrain. It has a number of drive modes, 17-inch black rims, and all-terrain tires.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
According to the EPA, the PHEV model can go 34 miles on electricity alone before the gasoline engine will need to fire up to keep the Sportage moving. With a 13.8-kWh battery pack and 261 combined horsepower, it is equipped similarly to the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid model.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
When fitted with front-wheel drive, the Sportage’s base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is rated by the EPA for 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive models are rated by the EPA for 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Up to 42 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway are the front-drive hybrid’s ratings. The plug-in hybrid vehicle has an EPA rating of 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Sportage makes an impression inside thanks to a stylish design highlighted by a sizable digital dashboard display and other interesting features. The interior is available in an attractive two-tone color scheme as an option, but if you prefer an all-black cabin that’s available too. A rotary shift knob, a push-to-start button, and numerous other controls that blend into the piano-black bezel are all featured on the center console. The Sportage has 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and more rear seat legroom as a result of larger overall dimensions and a longer wheelbase. There’s also a dual-level cargo floor for even more versatility.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Sportage has desirable infotainment features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. All models come with a digital gauge display and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen as standard equipment. The 12.3-inch-diameter infotainment display, which offers more connectivity and sharper graphics, is the one we’d recommend upgrading to. Under the infotainment interface, there are also some slick touch-sensitive controls that switch between the stereo and the climate system. Additionally, a wireless phone charger and a Wi-Fi hotspot with a subscription are offered, as well as an upgraded Harman/Kardon unit.
Safety & Security
The Sportage is equipped with a ton of electronic driver aids from Kia. As standard, you get forward collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, an intelligent speed limiter, lane-following steering, trailer stability assistance if you’re towing, and a tyre pressure monitor. The clever little blind spot cameras, the parking collision avoidance system (which will automatically brake if you’re about to back into something), and the remote parking assistant are all optional additions to that list, but they are only available on the top-spec 4 and GT-Line S models. There is also a driving mode that can be switched on for four-wheel drive models that alters the settings for mud, snow, or sand, but few Sportage owners are likely to ever actually need or use that.
In a safety test conducted by Euro NCAP, the Sportage received a perfect five-star rating, with an adult occupant protection rating of 87% and a child occupant protection rating of 86%.
Reliability and Problems
With a lengthy seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty that comes as standard on all Kia models, we don’t anticipate that many owners will have many issues. Kia has an admirable reputation for dependability and customer service. Since the Sportage is a new model, it is too soon to make a reliable judgment about it. However, because it uses engines and other components from other Kia models, and since there are no unfavorable rumors about those parts floating around in the industry, it is unlikely that the Sportage will suffer too much.
How Much Does the 2023 Kia Sportage Cost?
The base 2023 Sportage LX starts at $25,990, with midtier trims priced between $27,990 and $34,990. The most expensive X-Pro Prestige model starts at $36,790.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Kia Sportage?
The cost of insurance for a Kia Sportage will vary depending on your insurance deductible, desired level of coverage, and insurance type. Your insurance rates may be impacted by other factors such as your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving history. To find the right plan for you, consult our guide to auto insurance.
How does car insurance work? On this page, we’ll discuss some of the most popular types of auto insurance and provide advice on how to determine how much protection you require and locate the most cost-effective policy options.
Questioning how long does GAP insurance last? Maybe you’re curious about your GAP Coverage’s cancellation or refund options. We’ll address all of your GAP Insurance questions in the paragraphs that follow.
Is the 2023 Kia Sportage a Good SUV?
Yes, the 2023 Sportage is a good compact SUV. It has a roomy interior, class-leading cargo capacity and rear seat legroom, state-of-the-art interior technology, and a long list of standard features. It does have some drawbacks, most notably the weak performance of its only engine option.
There is also the brand-new, fuel-efficient Kia Sportage Hybrid, which we review separately.
Buying Kia Sportage: Expert Advice
Rising Sales: The Sportage finished the year in the middle of the compact SUV class, as sales increased by about 32 percent over 2022 compared to the year before. The Sportage was still well behind many rivals, and best-selling rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V sold more than three to one and two to one, respectively, more than the Kia.
Below-Average Base Prices: Only the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross starts at a lower price than the Kia Sportage, one of the most affordable compact SUVs. That base price is about $2,500 below the class average for starting models. When you exclude the pricey top-of-the-line models of the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, a fully-loaded Sportage also has a starting price that is about $2,900 less than the class average for top trims.
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FAQs
Is the Kia Sportage a Reliable Car?
Reliability Survey it sat well within the top third of our family SUV class, drawing with the Skoda Karoq and Volvo XC40. Better still, Kia came seventh out of 32 manufacturers in the survey.
Is the Kia Sportage Available as a Hybrid Or Electric Car?
You can’t get the Sportage as an electric car but there are hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. If you want a fully electric model, there’s the Kia EV6, Kia Niro EV and Kia Soul EV.
Which Kia Sportage Model is Best?
The hybrid 1.6 GDi HEV engine with the 3 trim level comes highly recommended. It has plenty of equipment, is reasonably priced, and is efficient.
What is the Difference Between a Kia Sportage 3 and a Kia Sportage GT-Line?
Compared to our favorite 3 trim, GT-Line gives the Sportage a sportier appearance. It has privacy glass, larger 19-inch alloy wheels, and other styling elements. The 12.3-inch digital driver display, which comes standard with the 3 trim, is absent from the GT-Line.
What is the Kia Sportage’s Infotainment System Like?
The 12.3in touchscreen that comes with every other model has been tested, but we haven’t yet tested the 8in touchscreen that comes with the base Sportage 2 trim. It has clear graphics and responds quickly, but we would prefer it if some of the icons were bigger and simpler to spot at a glance.
How Big is the Boot in a Kia Sportage?
The boot size depends on the version you choose. The largest is on the base 1.6-liter petrol models with two-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, and it has a respectable official volume of 591 liters. The PHEV has 540 liters, the HEV hybrid model has 587 liters, and the highest-powered diesel has 526 liters.
Kia Sportage Review: Should I Buy the 2023 Kia Sportage?
The 2023 Sportage is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a small, family-friendly SUV with lots of standard features and cargo space. Similar standard features, comparable pricing, and a large amount of cargo space are all offered by the highly rated Hyundai Tucson. Competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 provide good cargo space in addition to higher fuel efficiency than the Sportage.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
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