2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX AWD test drive review

Working against an ever-rising tide of compact crossovers, Kia has redesigned its popular Sportage so that it’s all new for its 5th generation. This includes an exterior and interior styling makeover, as well as the introduction of a hybrid powertrain like our tester had. It slots in between the smaller Niro crossover and larger Sorento and will appeal to a lot of buyers looking for an efficient, practical and stylish daily driver. Kia knows not everyone is ready for or should have an electric vehicle, and what they’ve done here with their hybrid technology should more than satisfy the majority of buyers. The Sportage Hybrid EX AWD represents yet another excellent value from Kia that shouldn’t be ignored.

Price and value 

Kia has been on a roll lately, making itself one of the top value plays in the industry. Their products look good and feel high quality, and they are packed with a long list of standard features. The MSRP range for the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is $27,490-$36,390. It is available in three trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid powertrain, a 6-speed automatic transmission and LED headlights and taillights. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below.

• LX: $27,490 See listings

17-inch alloy wheels 

Drive mode select 

Dual-zone automatic climate control

• EX: $31,190 See listings

Active all-wheel drive with locking center differential 

18-inch alloy wheels 

Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers

• SX Prestige: $36,390 See listings

Smart power tailgate

Heated windshield and windshield washer nozzles

Heated and ventilated front seats

Our tester was the EX trim with all-wheel drive and the Premium package, a combination we enjoyed. It’s a good value while still providing options such as a panoramic sunroof and sunshade, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, wireless charging pad and hands-free power liftgate. For $33,860, we’re all in. 

Kia has one of the best warranties on the market, offering a limited warranty good for five years or 60,000 miles and a powertrain warranty good for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Performance 

The practical Sportage is not a performer, nor is it interested in any form of excitement. What it is, though, is pleasant and efficient. The hybrid powertrain is well suited to this compact crossover, and we found it enjoyable to drive daily. There’s just enough punch to bolster your passing confidence, and we found it perfectly suited to the demands of the day. Errands, commuting, carpooling — the Sportage Hybrid EX does it all very well.

Engine 

The Sportage Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that pairs with a hybrid system for a total output of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The combination of a hybrid motor and turbocharger makes for smooth and strong acceleration. It’s relatively uneventful in its power delivery, but it does feel well suited to most driving situations. 

Fuel efficiency 

The Sportage Hyrbid’s fuel efficiency is truly impressive. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 38 mpg in the city and highway, and in our week of testing, we achieved similar numbers. We were impressed with how efficient it was and think the hybrid powertrain is absolutely the way to go if you’re considering the new Sportage. 

Drivetrain 

The Kia keeps it simple in the drivetrain department, a trait we’re grateful for. The 6-speed automatic transmission works great, with none of the ponderousness found in SUVs equipped with a continuously variable transmission. The all-wheel-drive system was also a nice bonus, never exhibiting any tire slip under acceleration or cornering. The fact that it has a locking center differential only sweetens the deal. Find Sportages for sale

Acceleration and handling 

Neither acceleration nor handling are the Sportage’s calling cards, but that isn’t the point of this vehicle. It’s smooth and powerful enough (all the while achieving 38 mpg!) and easy to maneuver around town — what more could you want? Car and Driver clocked it from 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds. 

Braking

Braking likewise felt perfect for those wanting an easy-to-drive daily driver. Safety items like automatic emergency braking and a driver attention warning system are standard.

Interior comfort and convenience 

Kia’s engineers are wizards at maximizing interior and cargo space in a way that belies the overall size of the vehicle. The Telluride, Sorento and now the Sportage all feel much roomier inside than expected. That same value extends to the interior design and materials. The Sportage Hybrid feels very upscale and modern inside, with interesting and thoughtful stylistic touches that will leave you smiling. It certainly feels more special than its low $30,000 price tag would suggest. It’s plenty comfortable for four adults and would be especially great for small families with two, maybe three children. Everyone has legroom, headroom, chargers and a comfortable place to sit. There is a lot of piano black, however, so be prepared for fingerprints and dust.

Seats 

There is faux leather in the EX trim that looks and feels great. The front and rear seats are soft and comfortable and seemed easy to wipe off, should the kids spill root beer on them — an especially nice feature considering the two-toned interior. The heated feature in the front felt great, as did the heated steering wheel. After a week and several hundred miles of driving, these were seats we were happy to spend time in.

Climate control

Dual-zone climate control is standard. We tested on some pretty cold days and found the interior to warm up quickly. 

Cargo space and cabin storage 

As with the rest of the interior, the cargo space was very accommodating. There is 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and a dual-level cargo floor for added versatility. 

Infotainment system 

Opting for the Premium package means you get Kia’s beautiful 12.3-inch touch infotainment screen, and we think it’s absolutely worth the money. It’s large, easy to use and offers tons of display features. We only wish for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — wired is standard. 

Exterior appearance and functionality 

The 5th generation Sportage is all grown up. Gone are the hamster days of yore, when college kids were all too happy to be driving a Kia through their favorite urban setting. The Sportage continues Kia’s style revolution. It looks sharp, modern and utterly unique. There will be no confusing it for the competition. The styling might be too bold for some, but for those wanting something that stands out a bit, the Sportage answers the call. 

Towing capacity

The Sportage wasn’t made for serious towing, but if you really wanted to, you could tow up to 1,653 pounds. 

Wheels

The EX gets 18-inch machined alloy wheels shod with all-season tires. Road noise was fairly muted. The thicker sidewall tires contributed to the supple ride. See Sportage listings

Lights and turn signals 

From the look of the Sportage’s uniquely designed LED lights, you might wonder how well they illuminate the road, but rest assured they do. LED turn signals are integrated into the heated side mirrors and are easy to see. 

Cameras

Kia does a great job with their cameras. They are high resolution and you can easily see objects in the rearview. The EX trim does not have the birdseye camera view, but we managed just fine without it. If you want the surround view, you’ll need to jump to the SX Prestige trim. 

Front and rear windshield

Visibility is excellent out of the Sportage. We tested the Sportage during the colder months, and its defrost worked well every time we needed it.

Safety

The 2023 Sportage is a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. It has not been tested as of this writing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but we expect it to fare well considering Kia’s safety reputation and abundance of safety features. 

Here are just some of the nice safety features included in the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX with the Premium package.

• Blind spot collision avoidance assist

• Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist

• Safe exit warning

• Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

• Driver-attention warning

• Parking distance warning-reverse 

Awards and ratings 

The new Sportage Hybrid has been racking up awards, including 2023 Utility Vehicle of the Year by AutoGuide. The Car Connection named the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SUV the Best Economy Car To Buy 2023. U.S. News & World Report awarded it top honors as one of 2023 Best Cars for the Money. 

Final impression 

We really enjoyed our time with the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX AWD and feel the accolades it has received are well deserved. It’s a fantastic compact crossover that checks nearly every box. We can’t think of too much we wish were different with it. It’s the full package, even without the top SX Prestige trim, and an exceptional value to boot. If you’re interested in the compact crossover segment, the Sportage Hybrid definitely deserves a good look. And be sure to get the hybrid. It’s only a little more money than the naturally aspirated option and much more fuel efficient and pleasant to drive.

Find your Kia Sportage on KSL Cars today.

FAQs 

Is the Sportage Hybrid fun to drive? 

It’s definitely enjoyable. Thrill seeking is not its purpose, but if you’re interested in a composed, respectable performance, you’ll really enjoy daily driving the Sportage Hybrid. 

Is it good for families? 

Definitely. As long as you don’t need a third row or serious amounts of cargo space, the Sportage is excellent for hauling around a few kids and their gear.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com.