Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
Distinctive styling inside and out
Premium interior materials
Advanced technology with user-friendly interface
Large cargo capacity
Cons
Some safety and driver assist features are only offered on top trim
Power and acceleration are adequate, nothing more
Less EV range and lower overall fuel efficiency than some competitors
What's new
All-new plug-in hybrid powertrain joins the lineup
Kicks off the fifth Sportage generation
Overview
The Kia Sportage has been fully redesigned for 2023 and the differences are striking. It's substantially larger, measuring almost 7 inches longer in length, making it slightly bigger than several of its rivals. The new styling adds visual appeal, with sharp creases and a distinct front end. The biggest news, however, is the debut of a plug-in hybrid variant, which joins the conventional gas-powered Sportage and a hybrid.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Virginia.
This new 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) is the most powerful variant, but that added potency is offset by a heavier curb weight due to the larger battery. On a full charge the Sportage PHEV is expected to offer up to 34 miles of electric-only range, and once the battery is depleted the hybrid powertrain is estimated at 35 mpg in city/highway driving. Those specs are roughly in line with the comparable plug-in SUVs, though its competitors offer slightly more all-electric range. Replenishing the battery should only take two hours on a Level 2 charger.
These fuel efficiency numbers may be enough to win over small-SUV shoppers, but the Sportage PHEV goes further with a beautiful, high-quality interior. The look and feel of its cabin are on par with some luxury-branded vehicles, though a few hard plastic elements keep you planted in reality. We haven't had the opportunity to fully evaluate the plug-in Sportage, but if the standard Sportage Hybrid model is any indication, the PHEV will prove a worthy alternative against its few rivals.
The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid's specs have it challenging, but not beating, the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid. It's close enough that the Sportage's attractive styling and driving dynamics could make it the best choice. There's also the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid that trades some efficiency for added off-road abilities. Check back with us to see how the Sportage PHEV stacks up once we've given it a full evaluation.
Which Sportage Plug-In Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?
It's somewhat rare that we'd recommend the top trim in a vehicle lineup, but the X-Line Prestige justifies its sensible price increase with some significant upgrades. These include adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, a curved instrument panel, premium audio and ventilated seats.
Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid models
The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is offered in two trim levels: X-Line and X-Line Prestige. Both are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid powertrain (261 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque). A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard.
X-Line
The entry-level X-Line trim comes with a generous list of standard features. Highlights include:
19-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Heated mirrors
Roof rails
Power liftgate
Panoramic sunroof
Keyless entry and ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Digital instrument panel
Synthetic leather upholstery
10-way power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
Wireless charging pad
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Satellite and HD radio
Standard safety and driver assistance features include:
Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Driver attention monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
Automatic high beams
Lane keeping assistance (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Safe exit warning (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
X-Line Prestige
Stepping up to the Prestige trim gets you plenty of interior and safety upgrades that include:
Upgraded headlights
Foglights
Heated and heat-reflective windshield
Curved instrument panel
Alloy pedals
Driver's seat memory function
Power front passenger seat
Ventilated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Harman Kardon premium audio
Safety feature upgrades include:
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Frontal cross-traffic alert (warns of collisions in intersections)
Reverse automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Highway Driving Assist (enhanced lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control functionality)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Blind-spot camera (displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when you activate a turn signal)
Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking)
Remote parking assistance (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
A long review of things you may not have heard about on this vehicle .
I have 1200 miles in a month on the car. prestige trim phev. Just back from LA to SF trip. Up interstate 5 and back on 101 with a sidebar trip to Morro Bay Area. Wife doesnt commute so normally is in all electric mode and we charge every night with a 240v home charger. If empty on juice, it charges in just under … 2 hours. It does get the approximate 30 miles on EV only . However, when starting the car in the morning, it remembers it is in EV mode. But the Gas engine comes on and stays on for about 3 minutes. I am assuming it is needed to warm the engine to make heat? The dealer told me it needs to warm up the catalytic converter for regulatory reasons. Not sure this is true. After 3 minutes it goes back to EV mode but then about 3 minutes later, the gas engine starts again for no reason and runs for about a minute. Then it's off till the battery is drained. But driving around after that on multiple stop start short trips the car stays in EV mode no problem. Mileage you say? Well on a road trip up the 5 going about 75mph most of the way we got 28 mpg. coming back on the 101 going about 65-70mph it got 32 mpg. Way better than my 2019 Mazda CX5 which got 22mpg on the same trip. If you drive say a 60 mile trip with some city and highway driving with a full charge, you will get about 80 mpg. Here is another tidbit. The gas tank only holds just under 12 gallons. Not a lot. So a full tank and full EV max range will be aproximately 350 miles on a longer mixed road trip.
What else does it need? It would be great to have some sort of LED light around the EV plug. In the dark it's hard to see the plug receptacle and you have to poke around with the plug to get it in the holes. A glow in the dark white plastic could work too. Kia, make a note.
Car does always reserve about 20% of the battery charge so even on the freeway if you are braking or flat or downhill, it switches to EV mode. Seems to default to the ECO drive mode and you have to put in in Automatic mode. I like auto mode better as it seems to give a little more power to the gas pedal when needed. Sport mode clearly cranks up the acceleration if you need it, but I think it has plenty with auto or even eco mode unless you are a racer.
Clearly this car is very thought out and has a few other things to note: It's noisy in highway driving especially on expansion crack cement roads. Wind noise is also quite noticeable at freeway speeds. And you really feel the bumps in the road if it is cement. A smooth asphalt freeway makes the ride great, but it does that in most cars. The Mazda and my Ioniq5 ride much smoother and are very quiet compared to this car. It's to bad Kia didn't make this ride more compliant and quiet the cabin down with better insulation and double glazed glass. Especially the top of the line prestige model for 50k should have done better in these regards. On surface streets in decent shape it rides quite well and is quiet , so it's really a freeway driving issue.
The safety features work fantastic as does the display and tech in the car. I have a Hyundai Ioniq5 and they are identical . Highway assist driving works really well but you do have to keep your hands on the wheel or the car will beep and disengage after about 1 minutes or so. Voice controls work great and can do lots of things including temperature adjustment.
Many reviewers complain that the haptic display panel is either set to climate controls or to audio controls. You can choose which you want as the default by holding down either "emblem" for 3 seconds. You can still change modes but it will go back to your default. . I choose climate control as the default and it is really what driver and passenger can adjust with depending on need so better IMO. (Climate control in the car works quite well although on the cold freeway drive today in the rain, I had to bump it up to 74 degrees where normally 72 degrees is perfect.) ALL of the audio controls are easily done on the steering wheel which is safer than reaching for the haptic controls. This is why Kia did this and felt you dont need redundant haptic controls for both climate and audio. Once you have your station presets done, you dont need to use the haptic panel anymore for audio. You can still use the huge touch screen for anything, so you have many choices on how to operate all the functions. So really, this "Issue" that so many complain about is easily solved and not an issue once you learn it, and get used to how to use the car in my opinion.
Inside, really looks luxury all around. Nicely done Kia. Fit and finish is excellent and attention to detail is abundant wherever you look. BUT... I wish they had a bit more soft material instead of hard plastic on the front area. Especially on the center console where on the sides your knee/leg leans on when driving. It's hard plastic and a soft plastic is way better for comfort. Plus soft plastic absorbs more "sound" to make the cabin quieter which is something this car could use as well. My Mazda signature CX5 had EVERYTHING soft so it works. (A piece of self adhesive neoprene from Amazon for 5 bucks solved the issue knee plastic issue for me if you are interested)
Space in the car is the best. Way more than the Mazda CX5 both in cargo and in seating comfort and legroom. I also found the front seats more comfortable than Mazda on the long trip by a long shot. My only seat complaint is why they dont use leather seats in front for the top of the line trim. That is the ONE thing the Hyundai Tucson PHEV top of line trim DOES have that KIA does not. So you are sitting on plastic and it can get hot. Good news is ventilated seats do help and these work well, but leather is much cooler to sit on than plastic. Cmon Kia, you have leather in all your other cars so what's up with this?
Did some night driving in the pitch black wilderness roads of Morro Bay Area and the headlights work great including the audio "bright" headlights feature which even dim when you approach a car from the rear , not just for ongoing cars. So again, many high end luxury features executed really well in this car.
Audio quality from the higher end Harmon system sounds excellent especially at higher volumes. However it is missing the "cabin noise cancelling" feature my Bose system in Ioniq 5 has and this car could use it.
Two other gripes...Kia and Hyundai need to address is that the car does NOT have walk away door locking. You have to push the button on the key fob or door handle or on the kia connect app to lock the car. Many other cars have walk away proximity locking, including Mazda. Seems like this should be a software update?
Also... no power folding mirrors on a 50k car? It seems the international versions of this car have them. Why were they left off the American model??? And also, NO auto day night mirror unless it is a dealer ordered option from the factory. It is not on the high end model as standard which is Crazy! I bought the OEM one at dealer and it is quite complicated to install and they charged me $200 bucks to do it and it took 3 hours of waiting. Mirror part itself was 300 dollars. So keep in mind if you want this feature and it was not ordered on your car.
Still gets 5 stars and no regrets. The best PHEV around today!
I had been looking for a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid at a good price. My first choice was a Toyota Rav4 hybrid BUT was also held back by the lack of tech and no new real design by Toyota. Then the Kia Sportage became available and WoW! The tech is amazing, it is EXTREMELY quiet, very comfortable and responsive. If I had to give it one CON, is the MPG is still hovering around 28-35 which … is not bad, but I have yet to see it at 38.
I managed to pick up a 23 PHEV Sportage on September 16th. I love it. I had an upper trim Soul, but while it had more features than the base X-line PHEV Sportage, it is not nearly as refined to drive. I mainly chose the Sportage for looks and features, and since I've had a good long history, since 1996, with Hyundai and Kia. I needed something that could tow a bit, and this fit the … bill.
I considered the gas-only trim, but heard it was somewhat underpowered. Then I looked at the specs for the mild hybrid version. But then I realized that the plug-in hybrid qualified for over $6K in federal tax rebate (I was lucky enough to have a signed buyers order prior to Biden nixing the rebate on imported plug-in hybrids). That made the price of the plug-in hybrid about even vs the gas-only version with the same trim level.
I have a short commute to work, and usually can drive to and from work on electric only. Based on my electric rates, it costs me about $0.08 per mile to run in EV mode, vs $0.13 - $0.18 per mile for gas the Kia Soul for the same sort of trips. That's assuming $3.88 per gallon.
My main design complaints are that the headlights aren't bright enough, and that it doesn't come with wireless Android Auto or Apple Carplay. The former problem will be fixed when I install the OEM fog lights I bought that are standard on the Prestige model. The second was fixed with a less-than-$100 adapter.
It is very odd, however, that there's a wireless charging pad built into the center console, yet you're forced to plug your phone into the USB port to use AA or Carplay? Yet on the base LX model, you have wireless AA and Carplay, but no wireless QI charger? Seems like two different teams were working on each feature (head unit and charger) and didn't work well together!
The 1.6T ICE engine is slightly unrefined-sounding when running. But since generally I'm driving at low speed on electric only, or I'm on the highway with the engine running and the tire and wind noise mask it for the most part.
The mechanical choice that could have been better was the heating system. As it is, the ICE engine has to be warm to use cabin heating - it has to run to warm the coolant. Oddly enough, the air conditioner compressor is driven electrically, and *doesn't* need the ICE motor to be running. I don't know why Kia didn't turn the air conditioning system into an electrically powered heat pump using a reversible motor.
Those handful of things are what kept me from giving it a 5 star review. But I'm still very happy with my choice of cars.
I have 5000 miles on my 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV and when running in hybrid mode at 65-70 miles per hour, I can only average between 26-29 miles per gallon. It was rated at 38 mpg. I am extremely disappointed. I have contacted KIa and they told me to take it to dealership service department. The manager at the dealership service department said he had others come in with the same … problem but cannot find any problem. I guess our only hope is for a class action lawsuit regarding false MPG advertising. Had I known about the low mpg, I wouldn't have purchased this car.
84 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
In the all-important plug-in hybrid specs, the Toyota RAV4 Prime boasts 42 miles of EV range and an estimated 38 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That beats the Sportage PHEV's 34 miles and 35 mpg combined. The RAV4 is quick to accelerate, but its handling and braking leave much to be desired.
Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs. Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
The Subaru Crosstrek is estimated to get 17 miles of EV range, which is only half of what the Sportage offers. Once the battery is depleted, both cars are estimated at 35 mpg combined under hybrid power. The Subaru has a bit more off-road capability, a slightly higher ride height and a price that undercuts the Kia by several thousand. The drawback is the Crosstrek is rather slow, and its cargo capacity is half that of the Sportage.
Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid vs. Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid
The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid edges out the Sportage PHEV with 37 miles of EV range and, after that, an estimated 40 mpg combined. Cargo capacity is comparable between the two, but all-wheel drive is not offered with the Escape, which could be a drawback for those in regions with wet or snowy weather.
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.
FAQ
Is the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 12 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid has 34.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid:
All-new plug-in hybrid powertrain joins the lineup
To determine whether the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 12 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid?
The least-expensive 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $38,690.
Other versions include:
X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A) which starts at $38,690
X-Line Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A) which starts at $43,190
What are the different models of Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid?
If you're interested in the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, the next question is, which Sportage Plug-In Hybrid model is right for you? Sportage Plug-In Hybrid variants include X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A), and X-Line Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A). For a full list of Sportage Plug-In Hybrid models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
