The Kia Sportage vary lastly has a hybrid choice to go up in opposition to the Toyota RAV4.
Word: That is an up to date model of a evaluation that was first printed in April 2024. There have been no main adjustments to pricing or specification since then.
A mid-life replace is because of launch within the second quarter of 2025, although pricing and specs are nonetheless to be introduced and we have now not pushed the brand new mannequin as but.
Now we have up to date key particulars with probably the most up-to-date data out there. Learn the unique model of this evaluation right here.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation of the 2024 Kia Sportage SX Hybrid
In reality, there are two petrol-electric hybrid (HEV) fashions to select from – the SX, and this one, the GT-Line, which is the sportier wanting and extra richly specified mannequin of the 2.
It has an intriguing turbo-petrol-hybrid setup, however solely comes with front-wheel drive – and the value premium is questionable in consequence. So do you have to think about it? Learn on to seek out out.
How does the Kia Sportage evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Kia Sportage in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
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Sportage
How a lot does the Kia Sportage price?
At a look, the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid appears a bit dear.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| S | |
| Kia Sportage S 2.0 FWD 6MT | $32,995 |
| Kia Sportage S 2.0 FWD 6AT | $34,995 |
| Kia Sportage S 2.0D AWD 8AT | $40,395 |
| SX | |
| Kia Sportage SX 2.0 FWD 6MT | $35,550 |
| Kia Sportage SX 2.0 FWD 6AT | $37,550 |
| Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD 8AT | $42,950 |
| Kia Sportage SX 1.6T HEV FWD 6AT | $45,950 |
| SX+ | |
| Kia Sportage SX+ 2.0 FWD 6AT | $42,950 |
| Kia Sportage SX+ 1.6T AWD 7DCT | $44,050 |
| Kia Sportage SX+ 2.0D AWD 8AT | $47,450 |
| GT-Line | |
| Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6T AWD 7DCT | $49,920 |
| Kia Sportage GT-Line 2.0D AWD 8AT | $52,920 |
| Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6T HEV FWD 6AT | $55,420 |
You realize, $55,420 earlier than on-roads is greater than you’d pay for a high-grade RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid ($51,410), and greater than an all-wheel-drive Forester Hybrid S ($50,140).
However it’s barely extra palatable than the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS ($59,900 drive-away), and that SUV can be solely out there in FWD. Nevertheless, you’ll be paying the same value, on the street, for this Kia.
So, you’re paying a whack greater than the all-wheel-drive GT-Line fashions, however you’re getting much less. Properly, you get front-wheel drive, and also you get a decrease gasoline consumption determine and a lot better emissions figures, too.
Kia Australia has indicated we are able to anticipate cheaper hybrid fashions to affix the lineup with the Sportage’s forthcoming mid-life replace, with AWD to additionally be part of the vary.
To see how the Sportage traces up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device
What’s the Kia Sportage like on the within?
That is probably the most premium model out there for the Kia Sportage, and it does have a high-end feel and appear to the cabin.
I notably just like the twin-screen show arrange – two 12.3-inch items in a curved housing – which appears to be like terrific, and fortunately can be actually easy to make use of. The touchscreen media system sits alongside a vivid and vibrant info-rich show for the motive force.
The latter additionally doubles as a show for a Blind-Spot View Monitor on this spec, so while you point out it is possible for you to to see what’s doubtlessly in your blind spot. There’s additionally different data on that driver’s display, together with issues like your digital speedometer, gasoline use, and many extra.
The infotainment display has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although it’s strictly by cable connection which is somewhat bit disappointing – I would favor wi-fi each time. There’s additionally a wi-fi cellphone charger, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a 12-volt.
The usability of the touchscreen is superb, and you’ll simply get used to the menu format and construction of the controls on display. Fortunately there’s one other row of controls down beneath as a part of a switchable panel.
That management panel covers your local weather settings, together with fan velocity adjustment and dials for temperature adjustment, however should you flick a change in direction of the left of the panel you flip it right into a media management station as nicely, with a bunch of menus for sat nav, radio and setup menus all out there there. Additionally while you hit that change, the local weather management knobs flip into quantity and tuning knobs.
Storage is nice all through the cabin. With a pair of retractable cup holders you may flip the world close to the shifter right into a flat storage zone should you favor. Forward of the gear selector there’s a wi-fi cellphone charger with a canopy, and in every of the doorways there are bottle holders, plus there’s a coated centre console bin between the entrance seats.
I’m not an enormous fan of all of the piano black ending within the centre console space, however no less than there are buttons in your seat heating and cooling, and for the GT-Line Hybrid you additionally get a heated steering wheel. There’s additionally a rotary dial for drive modes, with Eco, Sport and Good modes out there – every of which change the show on the motive force’s cluster.
I like the very fact you’ve obtained a button on the steering wheel to show off the lane-keeping system and this product fortunately doesn’t have the annoying velocity restrict beep expertise that many different new Hyundai-Kia automobiles do – to me that’s an enormous plus.
Seat consolation is respectable and you’ve got adjustable lumbar help. Some individuals would possibly discover the seats just a bit bit flat nonetheless.
At 182cm/6’0” tall, and with the motive force’s seat set for my place, there’s ample room for me within the second row to comfortably slouch, and simply sufficient room for 3 individuals throughout the again. When you’ve got youngsters, there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats, and three top-tethers.
Everybody within the again is nicely catered for, with directional air-vents, map pockets on the seat backs, in addition to a tough kick plate on the again of every of the entrance seats. On these seat backs you’ll additionally discover USB-C charging ports and buying/college bag hooks.
There are bottle holders within the doorways and a flip-down armrest with cupholders, plus one other small storage part beneath the air-vents, the place you would possibly retailer a cellphone that’s on cost.
There’s a slight transmission tunnel intrusion within the again, nevertheless it’s not a large subject for house. There’s additionally a bit on prime of the seat backs the place you would possibly cling a jacket, or perhaps even wedge an iPad in.
Boot house is nice. There’s 586 litres of cargo capability with the again seats up, and the cargo space consists of an LED gentle, fast launch levers to drop the seats (1872L seats down), a 12V port, in addition to attachment factors for a cargo web which could be saved beneath the boot flooring, alongside the cargo cowl.
There’s additionally a space-saver spare wheel, and whereas there are buying bag hooks, they’re proper behind the boot and never that nicely positioned.
To see how the Sportage traces up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Select the hybrid model of the Kia Sportage and also you get a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 132kW of energy and 265Nm of torque, teamed with a 44kW/264Nm electrical motor, and a 1.49kWh lithium-ion battery.
Complete system outputs are 169kW and 350Nm, which is lots for such a software.
Nevertheless, that a lot grunt is sufficient to overwhelm the entrance tyres at occasions. That’s proper, the hybrid Sportage solely comes with front-wheel drive in Australia, and that may very well be a deal-breaker for some.
Not like different hybrid fashions from the Hyundai-Kia group which run a dual-clutch auto, there’s a normal six-speed automated transmission fitted to the Sportage.
With regards to the official mixed cycle gasoline effectivity determine, Sportage HEV fashions declare 4.9 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle which for these enjoying alongside at house is 0.1 litres per 100km greater than a RAV4 2WD Hybrid.
In actuality, over days of the type of driving that you just’ll in all probability do in a Sportage Hybrid – city operating, commuting, freeway stints, daycare drop-offs and even a few IKEA runs – I noticed a return of 6.0 litres per 100km. Coincidentally that’s what I noticed final time I drove a RAV4 Hybrid!
Now, for these aware of emissions, the HEV mannequin stacks up nicely. The Hybrid’s official mixed cycle quantity is 110g/km of CO2, whereas the diesel is 163g/km, and the turbo-petrol is 164g/km CO2. For eco-conscious prospects or fleet patrons, that might get the petrol-electric model throughout the road.
Don’t go pondering that it could actually’t tow, both. It has a 750kg unbraked trailer ranking, and 1650kg braked trailer ranking – however remember the fact that the utmost tow bar down weight is 100kg.
To see how the Sportage traces up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device
How does the Kia Sportage drive?
It’s a little bit of a novel method to hybrid tech, this powertrain.
Not fairly as novel because the Nissan e-Energy setup, and maybe not as standard because the Toyota hybrid system, however as an alternative you do get a hybrid powertrain that’s each refined, highly effective, and environment friendly and equal measure.
The turbo engine aspect to this petrol-electric system implies that you do have somewhat bit of additional urgency while you want it, and that’s most noticeable in Sport mode should you ever select to drive in that setting.
The engine’s low-rev push and the electrical motor work collectively along side the standard six-speed automated transmission to make for a reasonably satisfying driving expertise when it comes to the powertrain.
It’s quieter than a RAV4, and it feels a bit stronger than one too. It is usually totally different in that the electrical motor is built-in into the transmission, so you may really feel the automotive change gears in EV mode, which is cool.
It has a pleasant transition between EV and traditional driving modes and in my testing it used the EV mode fairly usually, together with on the freeway in stints, and loads of city driving. There’s a pedestrian warning system with an exterior speaker to warn others of your presence, as in any other case it’s fairly silent.
Nevertheless, the large draw back with this hybrid powertrain is it’s strictly front-wheel-drive, and that implies that you’ll at occasions wrestle to get all the torque to the bottom easily and successfully.
Numerous occasions throughout my drive within the GT-Line Hybrid I discovered the entrance tyres scrambling for traction, even beneath what I believed was fairly average acceleration. In the event you’re a leadfoot, you would possibly discover that it’ll screech a good bit.
The opposite components of the drive expertise are typical of what we’ve come to anticipate of the Sportage, and that’s to say it’s good in most methods.
The trip is snug, though it could actually nonetheless really feel somewhat clunky over damaged surfaces. Fortunately you don’t have 19-inch wheels with even lower-profile tyres to exacerbate that mannerism.
The steering is correct and sufficient for this software. There’s a good quantity of heft at increased speeds, and lightness at low speeds which helps with parking strikes (as does the surround-view digicam system).
I usually flip off the lane-keeping help characteristic on the freeway or round city as I discover it may be just a bit bit too pushy for my liking.
The braking response and the pedal really feel is nice too. Being an electrified automotive, it does have a regenerative braking system and usually that may result in less-than-ideal brake pedal really feel. However fortunately within the Sportage it’s trustworthy and it pulls up fairly nicely.
It’s additionally fairly quiet – there’s not an entire lot of engine noise intrusion at increased speeds, and even street noise is stored to a minimal on rougher surfaces.
If solely it had all wheel drive, this may very well be a RAV4 killer.
To see how the Sportage traces up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device
What do you get?
The Sportage HEV is accessible in SX and GT-Line trim ranges, and specs largely mirror the present petrol and diesel equivalents.
Sportage SX HEV highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Auto LED reflector-type headlights
- Auto high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- ‘Fundamental’ digital instrument cluster with 4.2-inch display
- 6-speaker audio
- Material upholstery
- Leather-based-appointed steering wheel
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Digital parking brake with auto maintain
- House-saver spare wheel
- Dial-type shift-by-wire selector
Sportage GT-Line HEV provides:
- LED projector-type headlights
- Full LED tail-lights
- Leather-based upholstery
- Keyless entry, begin
- Electrochromic rear-view mirror
- Arms-free energy tailgate
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- 64-colour ambient lighting
- 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8-way energy driver’s seat, 2-way energy lumbar
- 8-way energy passenger seat
- Heated, ventilated entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Panoramic sunroof
- Rear privateness glass
- Alloy sports activities pedals
To see how the Sportage traces up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device
Is the Kia Sportage protected?
As with the petrol and diesel fashions within the vary, HEV variations of the Sportage include the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on 2022 testing.
| Class | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Weak street consumer safety | 66 per cent |
| Security help | 74 per cent |
Customary security gear consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Automobile, pedestrian and bike owner detection
- Junction help
- Blind-spot help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Driver consideration alert
- Clever velocity restrict help
- Lane hold help
- Lane Following Help (lane centring)
- Protected exit warning
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
- Entrance centre airbag
Sportage GT-Line provides:
To see how the Sportage traces up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device
How a lot does the Kia Sportage price to run?
Kia covers its lineup with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new automotive guarantee. For electrified merchandise just like the Sportage HEV, high-voltage parts just like the on-board charger, electrical motor and battery system are coated for seven years or 150,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
| Working prices | Kia Sportage Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres – car 7 years or 150,000 kilometres – HEV parts |
| Roadside help | As much as 8 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years or 70,000km |
| Complete capped-price service price | $4502 |
| Common capped-price service price | $643 |
It seems the Sportage HEV is the priciest engine variant to service, and Kia continues to cost above common quantities for capped-price servicing.
For reference, Hyundai gives a five-year pre-paid service plan for the Tucson Hybrid for $1990 – almost $1000 lower than what Kia prices over the identical interval for the Sportage HEV.
To see how the Sportage traces up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Sportage
It’s so near being the hybrid SUV we’ve been hoping for, however a scarcity of all-wheel drive, frankly foolish servicing prices and quick intervals make it much less compelling than it may have in any other case been.
Even so, this can be a nice household SUV for individuals who can cope with front-wheel drive and don’t thoughts paying somewhat extra for his or her upkeep. If that’s you, I’d positively advocate you go and test it out.
Hopefully, the incoming up to date addresses our key complaints.
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