Kia has set pricing for its 2023 Sportage Hybrid compact crossover, which arrives at dealerships this spring. And both that and recent fuel economy figures give plenty of reason to take note.
The Sportage Hybrid starts at $28,545 in front-wheel-drive form—a price that undercuts base versions of the Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. That’s for the base LX, which is offered with all-wheel drive for $30,345. Mid-level EX and top-trim SX-Prestige versions are only offered in all-wheel-drive form and cost $32,245 and $37,445, respectively. All prices include the mandatory $1,255 destination fee.
On the efficiency front, the Sportage Hybrid has recently been rated at up to 43 mpg—a figure that beats the most efficient versions of all those models in EPA combined mpg—with the front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid coming closest at 41 mpg.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was revealed last November at the LA auto show, and it wears the same unorthodox styling as the non-hybrid versions now on sale.
Its powertrain consists of a 1.6-liter turbo-4 gasoline engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, working with a single electric motor and 1.49-kwh battery pack. All-wheel-drive versions employ a propshaft to the rear wheels—a strategy shared with the Honda CR-V Hybrid—rather than an additional motor for them, as used in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Total system output is 226 horsepower, which is more than those other hybrid crossovers, and it allows a 2,000-pound towing capacity, according to Kia. The 2023 Sportage Hybrid has earned EPA ratings of 43 mpg combined [42 mpg city, 44 highway] in front-wheel-drive form and 38 mpg combined [38 mpg city, 38 highway] in all-wheel-drive form.
The closely related Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is only offered with AWD. It hits 37 mpg combined for most of the lineup, or 38 mpg combined for its efficiency-focused Blue version.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Kia heaps on the driver-assist tech, including lane-keep assist and a driver-attention monitor. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, along with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen forming one panoramic display, will be available—although Kia hasn’t yet provided a feature-by-feature breakdown by trim version.
The 2023 Sportage Hybrid follows the larger Sorento Hybrid crossover, but Kia did not replace the Optima Hybrid sedan when that model was rebranded as the K5.
The Sorento is available as a plug-in hybrid. A Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is also on the way later this year, with an expected all-electric range of 32 miles.
Kia is also focusing on fully electric vehicles as part of its Plan S initiative, which includes a $25 billion investment by the end of 2025. That accelerated with the recent arrival of the EV6, continued availability of the Niro EV and, perhaps, the arrival of an EV9 electric SUV by 2024.
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X-Line
X-Line Prestige
Engine
Type
1.6L Turbo Plug
in Hybrid engine
1.6L Turbo Plug
in Hybrid engine
Displacement [cc]
1,598 cc
1,598 cc
Bore x stroke [mm]
75.6 x 89
75.6 x 89
Configuration
Inline 4-cylinder
Inline 4-cylinder
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
10.5:1
Max. power [hp @ rpm]
177 hp @ 5,500 rpm
177 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max. torque [lb.-ft. @ rpm]
195 lb.-ft. @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
195 lb.-ft. @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
Electric Motor
-
-
Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Power [kw]
66.9 kw @ 2,100-3,300 rpm
66.9 kw @ 2,100-3,300 rpm
Power [hp]
89.7 hp @ 2,100-3,300 rpm
89.7 hp @ 2,100-3,300 rpm
Torque [lb.-ft.]
224 lb.-ft. @ 0-2,100 rpm
224 lb.-ft. @ 0-2,100 rpm
Hybrid Starter Generator
-
-
Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Power [hp]
17.4 hp
17.4 hp
Torque [lb.-ft.]
31.9 lb.-ft.
31.9 lb.-ft.
Hybrid System Performance [Combined]
-
-
Hybrid Type
Transmission Mounted Electric Drive [TMED]
Transmission Mounted Electric Drive [TMED]
Power [hp]
261 hp
261 hp
Torque [lb.-ft.]
258 lb.-ft.
258 lb.-ft.
Block
Aluminum
Aluminum
Head
Aluminum
Aluminum
Oil-pan
Steel
Steel
Valve system
16V DOHC CVVT with Hydraulic Lash Adjuster
16V DOHC CVVT with Hydraulic Lash Adjuster
Fuel Injection
Direct Injection
Direct Injection
Fuel requirement
Regular Unleaded [87 or higher]
Regular Unleaded [87 or higher]
Coolant Capacity [L]
4.8 L
4.8 L
Emission Control System
WCC + UCC
WCC + UCC
Fuel tank capacity
11.1 gal.
11.1 gal.
Electrical System
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
Battery
68 AH[20 HR]
68 AH[20 HR]
Alternator
13.5V 130A
13.5V 130A
Starter
12V 2.0kW
12V 2.0kW
Hybrid Battery System
-
-
Type
Lithium-ion [Pouch]
Lithium-ion [Pouch]
Voltage [V]
360 V
360 V
Capacity [Ah]
38.3 Ah
38.3 Ah
Energy [kWh]
13.8 kWh
13.8 kWh
Power [kW]
88.0 kW
88.0 kW
Weight [kg.]
140.0 kg
140.0 kg
Weight [lbs.]
308.7 lbs.
308.7 lbs.
Charging
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
Charging Time - Hours [240 Voltage]
2.0 hours
2.0 hours
Drivetrain
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
6-speed Automatic transmission
-
-
1st
4.639:1
4.639:1
2nd
2.826:1
2.826:1
3rd
1.841:1
1.841:1
4th
1.386:1
1.386:1
5th
1:000:1
1:000:1
6th
0.772:1
0.772:1
Reverse
3.385:1
3.385:1
Final Gear Ratio
3.367:1
3.367:1
Lubricant oil capacity [L]
6.0 L
6.0 L
Clutch Type
Engine Clutch [Multi Plate Wet Friction Clutch]
Engine Clutch [Multi Plate Wet Friction Clutch]
Exterior Dimensions
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
Wheelbase [in.]
108.5 in.
108.5 in.
Length [in.]
183.5 in.
183.5 in.
Width [in.]
73.4 in.
73.4 in.
Height [in.], with roof rails
66.9 in.
66.9 in.
Track, front [in.]
63.6-in.
63.6-in.
Track, rear [in.]
63.9-in.
63.9-in.
Overhang, front [in.]
35.6 in.
35.6 in.
Overhang, rear [in.]
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
Minimum ground clearance [in.]
8.3 in.
8.3 in.
Bumper Approach angle [degrees]
19.9
19.9
Bumper Departure angle [degrees]
26.6
26.6
Breakover angle [degree]
19.3
19.3
Interior Dimensions
Headroom
-
-
Front [in.]
37.8 in.
37.8 in.
Rear [in.]
38.0 in.
38.0 in.
Leg room
-
-
Front [in.]
41.4 in.
41.4 in.
Rear [in.]
39.5 in.
39.5 in.
Shoulder room
-
-
Front [in.]
57.5 in.
57.5 in.
Rear [in.]
55.6 in.
55.6 in.
Hip room
-
-
Front [in.]
54.8 in.
54.8 in.
Rear [in.]
53.4 in.
53.4 in.
Dual-level cargo floor: high [behind 1st row]
65.5 in.
65.5 in.
Dual-level cargo floor: high [behind 2nd row]
34.5 in.
34.5 in.
Chassis/Suspension
Front suspension
McPherson strut
McPherson strut
Rear suspension
Multi-Link
Multi-Link
Shock absorber
Gas
Gas
Steering
Type / Power source
Column Type - Motor Driven Power Steering [MDPS]
Column Type - Motor Driven Power Steering [MDPS]
Steering ratio
13.6:1
13.6:1
Turns, lock-to-lock
2.41
2.41
Turning radius [ft.]
19.3 ft.
19.3 ft.
Brakes
Booster ratio
9.1:1
9.1:1
Parking brake type
Electronic Parking Brake [EPB] with Auto-Hold
Electronic Parking Brake [EPB] with Auto-Hold
Wheels/Tires
Wheel Size [in.]
7.5J x 19 alloy
7.5J x 19 alloy
Tire Size
235/55R19
235/55R19
Spare Tire
Tire Mobility Kit [TMK]
Tire Mobility Kit [TMK]
Curb Weights
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
Curb Weight, min [lbs.]
4,211 lbs.
4,211 lbs.
Curb Weight, max [lbs.]
4,270 lbs.
4,270 lbs.
GVWR
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
Gross Weight [lbs.]
5,335 lbs.
5,335 lbs.
Towing Capacity
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
Towing Capacity with trailer brakes [lbs.]
2,000 lbs.
2,000 lbs.
Towing Capacity without trailer brakes [lbs.]
1,653 lbs.
1,653 lbs.
Estimated Fuel Economy
X-Line
X-Line Prestige
All Electric Range [AER]
34 miles
34 miles
Total Driving Range
430 miles
430 miles
6-speed Automatic Transmission
-
-
EPA Fuel Economy [MPG]
35
35
EPA Fuel Economy [MPGe]
84
84