All-New 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Announced

The Kia Sportage got a significant overhaul for 2023, and now we have a complete picture of the all-new Sportage Hybrid. The compact crossover SUV is more spacious and more sharply styled than its predecessor, and the new ‘ute is available with plenty of new tech, some of which has never been offered in a Sportage before.

Kia says the new Sportage Hybrid’s powertrain produces 226 horsepower and 40-percent fewer emissions than its predecessor. Front-wheel drive is standard, but “Active AWD” is available, which uses electro-hydraulic coupling and a center-locking differential to shuffle power between the front and rear wheels where traction is needed the most. Kia targets more than 500 miles of driving range per tank of fuel for the new Sportage Hybrid and notes that the vehicle will return up to 39 mpg.

The Sportage Hybrid’s interior can be decked out with a new panoramic curved display system, which houses two 12.3-inch displays in the gauge cluster and center stack. Combined, they offer almost 25 inches of viewable space. Big screens wouldn’t be very exciting without remarkable software to power them, and Kia says it has delivered on that front. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and a new touchpad system houses climate and audio controls beneath the screens. Kia Connect services are available, which include a Wi-Fi hotspot, over-the-air updates, remote vehicle connectivity features, and Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant connectivity.

The EX trim level and above get animal-free leather, and all Sportage Hybrids get coat hangers behind the front headrests with hooks for shopping bags and other items. Uniquely shaped air vents, interior accents, and detailed stitching on the upholstery make all trims look upscale inside. An asymmetrical center console houses vehicle controls close at hand for the driver.

The new SUV hasn’t been crash-tested yet, but it gets a long list of standard and available safety equipment, including several firsts for a Sportage. Lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision avoidance, a rear-seat reminder system, a rearview monitor, LED headlights, and a driver-attention warning system are all standard. Features such as blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert are available. Kia says that brand-new features for the 2023 Sportage include navigation-based intelligent cruise control with modes for curves and changes in speed limits, Safe Exit Assist, and forward-collision avoidance-assist with detection for cyclists and intersections.

Kia is the source of information for this article. It was accurate on November 17, 2021, but it may have changed since that date.