The 2023 Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid brings electric-only city drives while using the 1.6-liter turbo engine to extend the range on longer journeys.
With the new model, Kia aims to play an even bigger role in the compact SUV category, which has historically been very important for the brand, and a plug-in hybrid model is something that younger buyers seek lately.
The 2023 Sportage plug-in hybrid sports fresh new overalls starting from its front fascia. It now features a much larger intake grille with honeycomb vents spilling over the sides. Moreover, the designers used boomerang DRLs, and diamond-shaped LED headlamps to distance it from the competition. The lower part features a somewhat questionable full-width radiator grille with fog lamps, though it should be attractive to the target audience.
Over to the sides, the 2023 Sportage maintains contemporary visuals with minimal body lines, chrome beading on the windows, roof rails, and 19″ brushed aluminum multi-spoke rims. The rear end features teardrop-shaped LED tail lamps connected by a black stripe across the middle. A large KIA logo and honeycomb pattern bumper complete the overalls of the SUV.
The 2023 Sportage also has the same advanced safety underpinnings as the Hyundai Tucson. Notably, the monocoque is constructed using a combination of hot-stamped parts and ultra-high-strength steel to withstand excessive tensile and torsional stresses.
The Sportage plug-in hybrid will be available in the top-spec X-Line models. It features a 1.6-liter turbocharged i4 that produces 177 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, augmented by a single 89-hp electric motor and a 13.8 kWh Li-polymer battery pack. The power goes through a 6-speed auto transmission to all four wheels. Kia promises an electric-only range of 32 miles, which is good but lower than the Toyota RAV4 Prime, for example (42 miles).
The Sportage plug-in hybrid, though, fares up well against its competitors in terms of interior quality. The plush cabin features two screens (driver’s and infotainment) spreading across 24 inches. The smart console offers a raft of connectivity options, including wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Kia connects features (smart park, remote pilot, etc.). Meanwhile, the driver’s display also offers a wealth of information about the car’s telemetry and safety systems working in the background.
Of course, the top-spec plug-in variant includes luxury conveniences, such as touchscreen HVAC controls, panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable seats, and heating and ventilation options for the seats and steering wheel. The 2023 Sportage also features a comprehensive safety net of ADAS systems, including driver attention warning systems, lane follow and keep assists, cross-traffic collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Other advanced systems such as active cruise control and forward collision avoidance are available on the X-line Prestige.
The Sportage seems to be poised well against the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, and the Honda CR-V with such upmarket features.
Expect Kia to reveal more information on pricing and roll out in the coming days!
Gallery: 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
