2023 Kia Sportage PHEV mpg
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Kia pulled the wrap off the 2023 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid today, the latest variant to join the Sportage compact crossover SUV family. Now in its fifth generation, the popular Sportage lineup was entirely redesigned for the 2023 model year. The new 2023 Sportage PHEV joins the standard Sportage and Sportage HEV (standard hybrid) which debuted in late 2021. Show Sportage PHEV: Larger Battery and MotorPower for the Sportage PHEV is supplied by a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 177 horsepower teamed with a 66.9-kW electric motor and 13.8 kWh lithium-polymer battery. This is similar to the powertrain in the Sportage Hybrid, which also uses a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The Sportage PHEV, however, sports more robust electric components, its 66.9-kW electric motor and 13.8 kWh lithium-polymer battery outpacing the 44-kilowatt electric motor and 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery in the regular hybrid. Both the new PHEV and hybrid use a six-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is standard on the Sportage PHEV; it’s optional on the hybrid. Fortified by its larger battery, Kia is shooting for 32-miles of EV-only range. Kia says a level-2 charger can fully charge the battery in approximately two hours. A charge-time estimate is not yet published for the 7.2 kW high-efficiency onboard charger. Regenerative braking is aided by a standard Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) which is said to provide a higher recovery rate of regenerative braking versus its competitors. Although official fuel economy estimates won’t be available until closer to the on-sale date, Kia is targeting 39 mpg for the Sportage hybrid, and we expect the new Sportage PHEV version to meet or exceed that metric. For comparison, the standard gasoline-powered 2023 Sportage is EPA-rated for 28 mpg combined, 25 mpg with all-wheel drive. Powertrain aside, the Kia Sportage PHEV resembles the rest of the Sportage lineup and uses the same N3 platform in use on the other Sportage models as well as the Sorrento. That means like its siblings, it offers 39.5-inches of rear-seat legroom and 34.5 cubic-feet of rear cargo capacity, making it one of the most spacious SUVs in the compact class. Sportage PHEV TrimsThe Sportage PHEV takes the high road in terms of features and amenities, however, and will only be offered in two well-equipped trims: X-Line PHEV AWD and X-Line Prestige PHEV AWD. X-Line details include exclusive 19-inch wheels, gloss-black side mirrors, roof rack and window surrounds and unique front and rear bumpers with a satin chrome surround. Harman/Kardon provides a standard premium audio system, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard. Optional is the nearly 25-inch-wide dual panoramic curbed display that blends together the instrument and infotainment screens. Kia’s Connect services are also on offer, providing enhanced connectivity for the Kia Access smartphone app, a Wi-Fi Hotspot for up to five devices, over-the-air map updates, stolen vehicle tracking and immobilization capability. Likewise, the entire bundle of Kia driver assistance and safety soft-and hardware is either standard or available. Both trims get lane departure warning and assist, forward collision alert with automatic braking assist, driver monitoring, automatic high beams and more. The Sportage X-Line Prestige PHEV ups the content with radar cruise control with nav-based assistance and stop-and-go capability. There’s more, but those detail will fall into place closer to the Kia Sportage PHEV’s on-sale date in the third quarter of 2022. While the march towards the EV revolution continues unabated—Kia’s own EV6 among them—auto manufacturers continue to hedge their bets and fortify their lineups with practical, efficient hybrids and plug-in hybrids to bridge the gap to the future. It’s a wise strategy, one that promises to provide thrifty and environmentally-conscious buyers more options than ever. The 2023 Kia Sportage has impressed us so far, particularly its hybrid version. But the one that may be the best is finally hitting dealers and now has official pricing. The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV will start at just below $40,000 — $39,785 to be exact. That price gets you one of only two trim versions available on the PHEV, the X-Line. The only other trim option is the X-Line Prestige, which starts at $44,285. Both of these feature slightly more rugged appearances than the standard Sportage trims. Compared with the top-rung Sportage HEV (non-plug-in), the PHEV starts a little more than $2,000 more. The PHEV does offer extra performance and electric range compared to the regular hybrid. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder is coupled with an electric motor for a total output of 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power goes through a six-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Final fuel economy numbers haven't been given yet, but Kia estimates 84 mpg-e and an electric range at 34 miles. We would expect fuel economy with a drained battery to come in close to the regular, all-wheel-drive hybrid's 38 mpg. The Sportage PHEV also splits the difference between two key competitors. With front-wheel-drive only and less power is the Ford Escape PHEV. But the Ford costs close to $3,000 less starting at $36,950 and it boasts even greater efficiency at 105 mpg-e. Above the Kia is the Toyota RAV4 Prime, which gets a few more miles of electric range (42) and more power (305 hp), but it starts at $41,635. The Sportage PHEV is available now, and it's being sold in all 50 states. Related video: Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Information
Will there be a Sportage PHEV?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.
Does the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV qualify for federal tax credit?2023 Kia Sportage PHEV Pricing:
Also worth noting, the Sportage PHEV no longer qualifies for federal tax incentives meant to help Americans buy electric cars.
What is the top competitor of the 2023 Sportage plugThe Toyota RAV4 leads the class with the potent Prime plug-in hybrid and its 42 miles of electric range, but the versatile Ford Escape serves as the basis for everything from the Ford Bronco Sport to the Ford Maverick hybrid pickup truck.
Does the 2023 Kia Sportage take gas?There's the choice of all-wheel vs. front-wheel drive, as well as the choice of either a 2.5L gasoline-powered engine or an electrically-assisted 1.4L hybrid powertrain, which offers a significant boost in MPG.
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