RAV4 Prime Put on Notice by Upcoming 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

• New plug-in Sportage variant with 32 miles of estimated electric range
• Small battery pack means it can recharge in about two hours
• Part of the fifth Sportage generation introduced for 2023

What is the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid?

The Kia Sportage compact SUV is all-new for 2023, with an edgy new exterior design and tech-focused interior. We already know the new Sportage will be available in standard and hybrid models at launch, but there's a powertrain a little further down the line that might be worth waiting for. Today, Kia pulled the wraps off the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid (or PHEV), which will offer a targeted 32 miles of electric range when it goes on sale later this summer.

What's under the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid's hood?

The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV primarily draws power from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, which produces 177 horsepower on its own. The engine is paired with a 66.9-kW electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery pack with 13.8 kWh of capacity. Kia hasn't confirmed how much power the Sportage PHEV produces, but the Sportage's big brother, the Sorento, offers a PHEV variant with similar specs and it makes 261 horsepower. If that output carries over, that would make the Sportage PHEV less potent than the Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in, but only by about 40 hp. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

Since PHEVs use smaller battery packs than fully electric vehicles, they don't take nearly as long to charge fully from an empty battery. Thanks to that, plus a relatively quick 7.2-kW onboard charger, the Sportage PHEV can fully recharge its pack in about two hours using a typical Level 2 station.

What are the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid's trim levels?

The PHEV trim lineup draws inspiration from the standard Sportage's offerings. The PHEV will start at the X-Line level, which is differentiated from other Sportages by its more ruggedly styled bumpers, black exterior trim and roof rack. It will also come with a suite of standard safety features that include blind-spot monitoring and safe exit assist — helpful so you don't open your door into traffic coming from behind.

There will also be a loaded X-Line Prestige, which packs the Sportage PHEV with a Harman/Kardon premium audio system, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree parking camera and remote vehicle parking, which is activated from outside the vehicle. We know that a digital instrument panel and touchscreen setup with dual 12.3-inch screens will be available, but we don't know if it will be included on the X-Line Prestige or as part of a stand-alone package.

Edmunds says

The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid expands the lineup with a model focused on delivering performance and fuel economy in equal measure.