Kia Sportage 2023 surprises with turbo-hybrid version for the first time

In a test drive of the 2023 X-Pro and HEV versions of the Kia Sportage, we settled on the hybrid version. We explain why

already has a new king of sales in the United States. It is the Kia Sportage small SUV or compact crossover that has become Kia's best-selling U.S. model since early 2022, overtaking the Forte, which was No. 1 in sales last year.

While the 2023 Kia Sportage is offered in 15 variants, or “trims,” Siempre Auto was able to test the X-Pro petrol and turbo-hybrid versions, both with all-wheel drive. And obviously the second, hybrid, more powerful and economical remains.

The Kia Sportage Hybrid (HEV) marks the first time this compact crossover has been offered with a hybrid engine that is also turbocharged. It's a 1.6-litre turbocharged GDI engine that pairs with a 44kW electric motor to produce 227 horsepower. Transmission - 6-speed automatic. Its effectiveness? 43 mpg combined in the front wheel drive version and 38 mpg in the all wheel drive version.

The Kia Sportage X-Pro is the adventurous version (all-wheel drive and slightly higher climbing height) that is powered by a 2.5-horsepower 187-liter petrol engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It's significantly less efficient, getting 25 mpg in combined use.

2023 Kia Sportage: more and more technology

This 5th-generation Sportage is larger (7 inches longer than the outgoing version), with a 3-inch longer wheelbase. Inside, this manifests itself in the legroom in the rear seats. Size-wise, the Sportage sits in Kia's lineup between the smaller Seltos and the slightly larger Sorento.

The look is accentuated by the "tiger nose" grille that Kia includes on all of its latest models, boomerang-shaped LED headlights and a prominent new Kia logo in the center of the bonnet.

Its interior design stands out with two 12.3-inch screens that are visually glued together to form one almost 25-inch curved screen, very well integrated into the driver's cab. It comes with Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto and Apple Car Play, as well as automatic map updates via the cloud (over the air). The seats in the higher versions are made from "vegan leather", which is nothing more than plastic treated to look like leather, but which is well made and should be more durable than an animal product.

Another strong point of the Kia Sportage 2023 is technological elements. It has built-in driving assistant, adaptive cruise speed, cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, navigation-based navigation assistant (helps anticipate turns), blind spot warning and more.

The 2023 Kia Sportage will be assembled in the US for the first time at Kia's plant in West Point, Georgia. Although some models will continue to come from South Korea, such as hybrids. The Sportage is Kia's oldest model.

Mrsp pricing (excluding shipping to destination which costs an additional $1,255)

Hybrid 1.6L GDI-6AT

· Kia Sportage HEV LX (FWD): $27,290

· Kia Sportage HEV LX (AWD): $29,090

· Kia Sportage HEV EX (AWD): $30,990

Kia Sportage HEV SX-Prestige (36,190WD): $XNUMX

Gasoline 2.5 l GDI - 8A/T

· Kia Sportage LX (FWD): $25,990

· Kia Sportage EX (FWD): $27,990

· Kia Sportage SX (FWD): $31,490

· Kia Sportage LX (AWD): $27,790

· Kia Sportage EX (AWD): $29,790

Kia Sportage SX (33,290WD): $XNUMX

· Kia Sportage SX Prestige (FWD): $33,490

Kia Sportage SX Prestige (35,290WD): $XNUMX

· Kia Sportage X-Line (AWD): $30,790

2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro (34,990WD): $XNUMX

· 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige (AWD): $36,790

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