2023 Kia Sportage

Powertrain

The new 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is a plug-in hybrid. Thus, the powertrain is a combination of an internal gasoline combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a sizeable battery. Offered in three trim levels – LX, EX, and SX-Prestige – each trim is powered by a 1.6-liter turbo GDI engine and a 44kW permanent magnet electric motor powered by a high-output 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery. Together, the maximum horsepower is 277. The specs for torque have not been revealed, but towing capacity has.

Engineering

With a six-speed automatic style transmission transmitting power, the LX trim comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with the ability to upgrade to all-wheel drive (AWD), standard on the rest of the trims. Drive Mode select offers three-to-four driving modes – ECO, Sport, Smart and Snow (AWD only). With a class-leasing towing capacity of 2000 pounds, this SUV won’t be pulling any yacht, but could handle a small boat, a utility trailer, or even a small frame camper for a little adventure.

Exterior Features

As the Kia Corp lineup changes, so will the tiger nose grille. While some models are adapting a new tiger face, this PHEV gets a floating tiger nose grille for a more technical look. Like the gasoline model, boomerang DRLs enhance the headlights, and its crisp lines are highlighted by angular fenders. Based off of this model, most standard features are expected to remain the same, such as a sound-absorbing windshield glass, rear privacy glass, heated rear glass, LED headlights, LED DRLs, LED taillights, automatic headlights, and power-adjustable mirrors. With AWD standard on the EX and SX-Prestige, these models would also come standard with heated side view mirrors with LED turn signals, solar control glass, and LED projector headlights. A panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade may still be available on select trims. The standard wheel size is coming out to 17-inches, but 18- and 19-inch wheels may also be available.

Interior Features

Keeping the upgraded tech, a dual panoramic curved display is the new look for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, with a 12-inch screen for vehicle diagnostics, and then a touchscreen dependent on the trim. The inside is still roomy, with class-leading rear legroom with 41.3 inches of room and a best-in-class rear cargo capacity of 39.5 cubic-feet of space thanks to a longer wheelbase. A dual level cargo floor is also built in for smart storage solutions. Standard features include a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, steering-wheel mounted controls, cloth upholstery, a six-way manual-adjustable driver’s seat, and a four-way manual-adjustable passengers seat. Syntex should be the upholstery for the EX and SX-Prestige, and these trims will come with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support. Also past the LX trim, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, a leather steering wheel, and dual—zone climate control are all considered standard.

Entertainment

Starting with the new dual curved panoramic display, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard, making up half of the nearly 25-inch viewing screen. The LX trim may come with an 8-inch touchscreen, for a total of 20.3”, but the EX and SX-Prestige get the full 25” with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Kia Connect Infotainment system. A new intuitive touchpad with climate and audio controls sits right under the infotainment screen. Google Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth wireless tech, and a rear view monitor are all standard, with an available 360-degree Surround-View Monitor with 3D view. A six-speaker sound system is the standard with a Harman-Kardon premium audio system available on select trims. Other available features include a 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot. Smart Speaker integration lets consumers use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant while on the road and control remote features.

Safety Features and Warranty

All 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV trims come with the basic standard safety features: dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a rollover sensor, an anti-lock brake system, stability and traction control systems, a rear occupant alert system, a rear-view camera with dynamic parking guidelines, and LATCH child-seat ready anchors. Standard advanced features include a Driver Attention Warning (DAW) system, LED Headlights with High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) with Cyclist detection capability, Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Dynamic Parking Guidance, Reverse Parking Distance Warning.

Available advanced safety features consist of Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist (BCA), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance (BCA-PE) with Parallel Exit, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist (RCCA), Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA-JT) with Junction Turning capability, Forward Parking Distance Warning (PDW-F), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C), Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance (PCA-R), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go.

Kia has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program. The Kia 10-year/100,000 mile warranty program consists of 10-year/1000,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty, 5-year/100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty, and 5-year/60,000 mile roadside assistance plan.