First Drive: 2023 Kia Sportage

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If you’ve been sleeping on Kia, it’s time to pay attention.

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Though the brand has been improving in leaps and bounds over the past few years, its product line-up has been close-but-not-quite-perfect for Canada for quite some time. Pick-up trucks and compact SUVs rule here in the Great White North, and Kia’s not a truck company, so that makes smaller SUVs extremely important to the brand’s success.

Sportage is Kia’s compact SUV, and the previous-generation version was certainly compact — too much so, in fact. It was a tighter squeeze in both passenger room and cargo relative to its competitors.

The fifth-generation 2023 Kia Sportage solves this problem and a few others: it’s more attractive, more fuel-efficient, and there are hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions being offered for the first time. The hybrids are arriving now, while the PHEVs are due in later this summer. Pricing and packaging information for the gas and hybrid versions of the Sportage — pricing for the hybrid was just announced on April 21 starting at $35,995 — is provided in detail at the end of this article.

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Our test drive of the internal combustion engine (ICE) version of the Sportage took place on a damp spring day on Vancouver Island in the top-tier X-Line Limited trim, one of two new X-Line trims being offered with the gas-only powertrain. These trims add more rugged-looking exterior elements such as skid-plate shaped mouldings on the front and rear, a unique front fascia, ladder-style roof rails, and exclusive interior and exterior colours. We’re not getting the X-Pro trim being sold in the U.S., but a quick scan of the specs suggests few Canadians will really miss it.

All gas-only models are powered by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque peaking at 4,000 rpm, fed through an 8-speed automatic. The ability to select drive modes is standard equipment. The only grade available with front-wheel drive is the base LX, with which fuel consumption comes in at 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.4 on the highway, and 8.4 combined. Kia says this represents a seven per cent improvement in fuel efficiency versus the outgoing model. With all-wheel drive — which costs $2,000 extra on LX and is standard on all other trims — fuel consumption measures at 10.4 L/100 km city, 8.5 highway, and 9.5 combined, representing a five per cent improvement. These are acceptable figures for the segment, though not exceptional.

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The ICE powertrain is possibly the least enjoyable thing about the new Sportage, which is saying a lot: it’s pretty good. For a driver who appreciates energetic acceleration, the 2.5-litre’s output won’t feel like enough. Even with sport mode engaged, which does help a little by quickening the shift patterns, this engine feels like it could use a push getting up hills or onto highways. This will be a better choice for someone who values fuel efficiency over drive feel and, for whatever reason, really doesn’t want to buy a hybrid. To this writer’s mind, the only plausible reason for that would be feeling especially drawn to the look of the X-Line grades. Otherwise, the hybrid is bound to be much more enjoyable to drive.

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We haven’t test-driven the hybrid yet, but we can say this with confidence because the Sportage’s hybrid powertrain is a known quantity, given that it’s shared with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid we’ve reviewed extensively here at Driving.ca. It uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 44 kW electric motor powered by a 1.49 kWh battery, routed through a six-speed automatic. (In the ICE cars, you shift with a traditional lever; in the hybrids, shift-by-wire technology is used, which equips a dial.) Total system output for this setup is 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both the engine and the motor produce a peak of 195 lb-ft each, the former peaking from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm and the latter from zero to 2,100 rpm. That means that the 1,500 to 2,100 rpm range is where it hits the sweet spot, which is perfect for driving around the city or on winding back roads.

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The hybrid also delivers stellar fuel consumption figures at 6.1 L/100 km in the city, 6.3 on the highway, and 6.2 combined. As you’ll see later, the pricing is also very reasonable. Unlike Hyundai, Kia has opted to package the Sportage Hybrid in grades that match the mid and top grades of the ICE powertrain, making the entire line-up more accessible budget-wise.

Little information is available about the PHEV at this point. We know it gets the same 1.6-litre engine and transmission as the hybrid, joined with a 66.9 kW motor and a 13.8 kWh battery. This creates a total system output of 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. More information on the Sportage PHEV will be released closer to its launch.

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Power discussions aside, the new Sportage is a pleasure to drive. Its MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear provide tight and controlled handling that’s an ideal balance of smooth and steady. Steering is pointed and predictable.

All-wheel drive versions of the Sportage come with 21 cm of ground clearance. (The entry-level LX FWD clears 18.1 cm.) While the standard towing capacity is 1,653 pounds, up to 2,500 pounds of towing is possible with additional equipment (or up to 2,000 pounds on the hybrid).

Design-wise, if you like everything about the Hyundai Tucson except its exterior, you’re in luck: the Sportage has the same underpinnings, and it looks sharp. Dimensions grow by 18 cm in length, 5.3 cm in height, and 1 cm in width. The boomerang-shaped headlights are reminiscent of those found on the Hyundai Sonata, but they’re not nearly so outlandish here and present as classy yet distinctive. Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille is still here, sort of: it’s been compressed into a pair of accent lines above an expansive notched-look grille. At the rear, the turn signal rejoins the brake lights in a single assembly flanking a band that spans the width of the tailgate. The Sportage stands out on the road in excellent fashion.

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Paints in black, white, and multiple shades of grey are joined by new shades of red, blue, and a rather striking green that’s exclusive to X-Line trims. All exterior colours but black cost $250 extra, apart from a new matte grey finish that’s offered only on top X-Line Limited, which costs $1,000 more. Because they’re exclusive to X-Line, the green and matte grey paints are not available on the hybrid.

The wheelbase on the 2023 Sportage is 8.5 cm longer than in the previous generation, which helps to improve interior space significantly. Kia says the second row has just 2 mm less leg room than the front row. Our early impression is, for all but the most long-legged front occupants, positions in the second row will find sufficient leg room without having to compromise.

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The good news is the longer wheelbase has also created more cargo space. The bad news is that you lose some of that cargo space if you opt for the hybrid, where room needs to be given up to accommodate the battery. An adjustable cargo floor can be set to two positions, the lower of which provides a maximum cargo space of 1,121 litres with the rear seats up and 2,098 litres with them dropped in the ICE versions — very competitive figures. However, the hybrid loses 118 litres with the rear seats up for a total of 1,003 litres, and 226 litres with them down for a total maximum of 1,872 litres. The hybrid loses some second-row headroom as well, though those differences are just a few millimetres.

The interior is stylish. Our X-Line Limited featured wood-look inserts (not real wood, but convincing), a tall centre console that isolates the driver, and leatherette seats with a quality feel. Some materials on the doors are of a lower-quality plastic, but for the most part the interior finishes are above par for the price point. The HVAC and radio controls are on the same dual-function panel that’s found in the Kia EV6, a very elegant solution to keeping a lot of controls at easy reach without adding a lot of visual clutter.

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A black interior is standard, though the enormous panoramic sunroof offered on higher grades helps brighten things up significantly. Red or sage green interiors are available with some grades and are striking, though the green tone is very subtle in the latter and it comes across as more of a grey.

Several clever storage solutions have been included such as bag hooks near the USB ports on the backs of the front seats, retracting cup holder surrounds, and coat hangers integrated into the backs of the front-row headrests. This is a clever idea, but these headrests sit a little far forward to be comfortable for those who prefer an upright seating position. The seat backs and bottoms are very supportive with solid bolstering.

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A dramatic curved housing contains the infotainment screen and instrument cluster. All versions of the Sportage have digital versions of both. The entry grade gets a 4.2-inch display surrounded by digital instruments and an 8-inch infotainment screen. This system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, in the twin 12.3-inch screen setup for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system found on higher trims, smartphone apps are wired. One would expect better functionality at a higher price point, so that’s sort of awkward.

Regardless, this update is a big one for Kia. By getting key things right like design and fuel efficiency, it takes the Sportage from being a niche vehicle for smaller families to one that’s likely to appeal to a whole lot of Canadians. But unless the X-Line is screaming your name, consider test driving the hybrid before making your decision. With standard all-wheel drive, the Sportage EX Hybrid is likely to be one of the best-value electrified SUVs on the market.

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2023 Kia Sportage Trims and Pricing

The entry-level ICE Sportage is the LX FWD, which starts at $28,395 (a mandatory $1,900 destination charge is extra on all grades). Heated front seats and heated side mirrors are standard along with 17-inch wheels, LED headlamps and partial LED exterior lighting, a 60/40 split rear seat, an eight-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other features. Forward collision warning, lane keep and follow assist, and a new rear occupant alert system are standard. LX can have all-wheel drive added for $2,000 more; AWD is standard on all other trims.

The new X-Line trim is next up, priced at $33,995. It has X-Line exclusive satin chrome finishes, skid plate shaped mouldings on the front and rear, gloss black side mirrors, shaped side garnishes, ladder-style roof rails, and 19-inch wheels. The interior comes with quilted synthetic leather, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, keyless entry and push-button start, plus blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

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EX ($35,595) adds the 12.3-inch infotainment system with HD Radio and SiriusXM (and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), smart cruise control, 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a heated windshield, rain-sensing wipers, and more.

EX is starting trim for the hybrid, priced at $35,995. It comes with equivalent equipment to the ICE EX but adds the electrified powertrain.

Back to ICEs now, the EX Premium ($37,595) has a different set of 19-inch wheels and quilted synthetic leather available in red, a smart power liftgate, a memory driver’s seat and power passenger seat both with ventilation added, heated outboard rear seats, and more.

For the ICEs, the X-Line Limited ($40,995) is the top trim. It adds the same design elements as X-Line with an available sage green interior, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, upgraded LED headlamps, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and premium safety features like the Highway Drive Assist hands-on lane centring and adaptive cruise control system, a surround-view camera, and Kia’s blind view monitor system that projects a camera view of the car’s blind spots onto the instrument cluster while the turn signal is on.

On the hybrid, the SX is the top trim, priced at $42,695. Its equipment is similar to X-Line Limited without the X-Line design elements, while it comes with 18-inch wheels and an available red interior.