Following the new Sportage Hybrid introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show last fall, Kia today shared details and pictures of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model. Both will join the next generation of the Korean compact SUV debuting for the 2023 model year.
The Sportage PHEV sits at the top of the lineup with 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the result of a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine combined with a 66.9-kilowatt electric motor and 13.8-kWh battery. A six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive are also part of the mix.
- Also: 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV: Nice Family SUV, Fussy PHEV Tech
- Also: 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV Starts at Under K, Has Decent Range
By the way, this is the same exact powertrain you can find in the plug-in variants of the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Santa Fe. If you’ve read our review of the Sorento PHEV, you know that Kia’s tech lacks refinement and needs improvements.
Photo: Kia
Unlike the 226-horsepower Sportage Hybrid, the Sportage PHEV is able to travel significant distances without burning any fuel. EV range is estimated at just over 50 kilometres. The official rating from Natural Resources Canada should be posted in the next few months along with fuel consumption in hybrid mode, which is expected to hover around 6.7 L/100 km. When connected to a Level-2 (240V) charger, the Sportage PHEV will take approximately two hours to fully replenish its battery.
Naturally, a host of active safety and driver assistance features will be available. Meanwhile, the futuristic driver cockpit with available panoramic curved display connects a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a similarly sized infotainment screen. Kia is also bragging about best-in-class rear legroom.
Photo: Kia
While customers in the U.S. will have a choice of two trim levels including X-Line and X-Line Prestige, equipment details for Canada will be announced at a later date. The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of this year and pricing will be revealed closer to its on-sale date. Incidentally, the $2,500 PHEV rebate from the federal government will apply as well as provincial incentives of up to $4,000 depending on where you live.
As always, keep following The Car Guide to learn more.
Watch: 2023 Kia Sportage Makes Global Debut
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| $38,490 | $43,681 | Coming Soon / N/A | ||
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| $42,990 | $48,607 | Coming Soon / N/A |
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Price: The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV starts at $38,490. In luxurious Prestige trim, the new Sportage PHEV costs $42,990.
The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid compact SUV is an all-new variant of a new Sportage generation. The 2023 model year marks the debut of this popular SUV’s fifth iteration.
The entire range encompasses versions with just a gasoline engine, a regular hybrid model, and this plug-in hybrid.
Often referred to as a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), a plug-in hybrid has a bigger battery and usually a more powerful electric motor than a regular hybrid. This gives it the ability to travel for a meaningful distance using battery power alone — what’s known as range. And unlike a regular hybrid, this battery can be recharged from an outside source, hence the plug-in description. But there’s still a gasoline engine on board to keep everything running.
Kia says the new Sportage PHEV has an all-electric range of 34 miles. That’s one better than the closely related Hyundai Tucson PHEV, at 33 miles.
For those with short commutes and/or occasional errand-running around town, the Sportage PHEV could be used just as an electric vehicle during the week, only using gasoline on those weekend visits to the in-laws.
The 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV went on sale in the summer of 2022. It’s offered in two well-equipped trim levels. The 2023 Kia Sportage and the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid each have their own reviews.
2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid Pricing
The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV starts at $38,490. That’s for the X-Line PHEV AWD model. the luxurious Prestige version begins at 42,990.
There should be various incentives to offset the initial price of a new Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. For example, the maximum federal tax credit for a 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV was $6,253. Some states also have rebate programs for low-emissions vehicles.
Speaking of the Hyundai Tucson PHEV, this is an alternative costing around the same as its Kia Sportage counterpart, with which it shares a platform. The Toyota RAV4 Prime is more like $40K.
Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to find out what others in your area paid for their new Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Toyota vehicles tend to have stronger resale values than Kia, but we still have to wait and see how this new variant of a new generation pans out.
Driving the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
With 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, along with 34 miles of electric range, the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV looks set to deliver an advantageous combination of satisfying acceleration and responsible fuel economy.
The 6-speed automatic transmission has selectable drive modes, plus Downhill Brake Control. This brings the ability to top up the battery’s charge level using brake energy regeneration, while simultaneously keeping the SUV’s rate of descent under control.
Kia says this PHEV has a higher level of brake regeneration than rival models. That means more electric-only miles are possible using essentially free energy.
Interior Comfort
Because of their bigger batteries, plug-in hybrids tend to lose a little space in the back. That’s the case with the 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The gasoline-only 2023 Sportage has 41.3 inches of rear legroom and 39.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats. This PHEV version has 39.5 inches of rear legroom and 34.5 cubic feet of luggage area. The thing is, that’s still really good — better than the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
Just as Kia exteriors are growing bolder, Kia interiors are becoming more lavish. Once the 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV is in its top X-Line Prestige PHEV AWD trim level, there’s the twin-screen setup and leather seating surfaces.
Exterior Styling
A new Kia Sportage SUV range brings a completely fresh design. Arguably the most dramatic element is the front end, with an evolution of the corporate Kia grille and lighting elements like the K5 sedan.
Kia has made this whole new Sportage generation bigger than its predecessor. Consequently, it has become one of the largest in its class.
The body itself deploys ultra-high-strength steel for increased torsional rigidity compared with the fourth generation. The benefits of this include the ability to tune suspension components to a finer degree, as well as provide greater protection in the event of an impact.
Favorite Features
STANDARD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
It’s doubtful that a 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid SUV is an off-roader’s dream, but the grip and traction of all-wheel drive is great to have in bad weather.
DUAL-SCREEN DASHBOARD
One unit that looks like a
large, horizontally oriented tablet device incorporates two 12.3-inch displays — one for driver information, the other to control the infotainment system. It’s a high-tech touch that was pioneered by Mercedes-Benz. And now it’s in the mainstream, available in the highest of the two 2023 Sportage PHEV trim levels.
Standard Features
The first of two 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid trim levels, the X-Line PHEV AWD model, comes with all-wheel drive, 19-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams.
Factory Options
The poshest new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is the X-Line Prestige PHEV AWD. Among the many features in this version are two 12.3-inch screens, 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control with steering assistance when the freeway curves, intersection assistance, Blind-Spot View Monitor, front parking sensors, remote parking assistance, Wi-Fi for up to five devices, wireless phone charging, and a Harman Kardon audio setup.
Engine & Transmission
On the combustion side of this plug-in hybrid drivetrain is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. On the electric side, a permanent magnet synchronous motor is energized by a lithium-ion polymer battery.
Kia hasn’t quoted total system output, but since this setup is the same as the one in the Hyundai Tucson PHEV, it’s reasonable to assume that this new Sportage PHEV also enjoys 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Drive goes to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The battery needs about two hours for a full recharge when connected to a 240-volt supply. Kia reckons this plug-in hybrid SUV can cover 32 miles using just electric power. In combined city and highway driving, the equivalent of around 80 miles per gallon (MPGe) should be possible once the electric-only range has been factored in with the usual hybrid operation.
1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
Permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
Total horsepower: 261
Total torque: 258 lb-ft
EPA city/highway fuel economy: TBA
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