2023 Kia Sportage Review

A floating design places the tiger nose grille above a fascia-length blacked out grille graphic. On either side, boomerang running lights are paired with distinctive headlights. The rear has its own notch-shaped taillights and thin black tailgate-graphic. The silhouette is sharpened by the angular fenders, crisp lines, and muscular rear shoulders.

The new look was fashioned around a rigid base that improves driving dynamics. More sound insulation and other noise abatement measures were integrated into the design to provide better ride quality.

From its symmetrical console to its thin HVAC vents, the new cabin has a distinctive look to match its curb appeal. Clever storage solutions are everywhere, including cupholders that convert to hold other items such as tablets. Headrests and seatbacks have more built-in features such as integrated hooks and USB ports.

With the increase in space, the driver has a bigger cockpit. Even better, it has a more technologically advanced infotainment system.

The larger touch screen has a better operating system as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. There’s a multi-connection Bluetooth system that allows for two smartphone pairings. The infotainment screen can alter which functions are controlled by the physical knobs. This allows you to switch between temperature and radio volume, for instance.

A WiFi hotspot lets up to five devices utilize subscription 4G LTE. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are part of the vehicle’s available smart speaker integration. Apple and Android smartwatches can interface with the Kia Access App to allow for remote climate control and related features.

This is the first year that the Sportage is offering a panoramic dual screen system. This adds a large digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel. The final effect is an almost 25-inch screen surface from end to end. Choosing length over width, the screens are useful without becoming a distraction for the driver.

Trim levels start with the high-tech LX with extensive dash tech and driver assistance. SynTex adds animal-free leather upholstery to the seats of the EX trim level. This model adds the panoramic screen system and a 10-way power chair to the driver cockpit. Both front positions benefit from dual-zone automatic climate controls.

At the SX trim level, you’ll find more driver assistance, more audio speakers, and driver’s chair memory functions. It also has detailed seat patterning with rear stitching. A hands-free power liftgate adds utility.

The SX Prestige wears distinctive premium SynTex upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. The driver enjoys more driver aids including advanced parking assistance. Keeping life cool, the front seats have power ventilation. With Peoria Kia financing options, you can get a loan or lease and choose your favorite Sportage trim.

With a tire-tread pattern on its SynTex premium upholstery, the X-Line makes the Sportage look more rugged inside and out, but its content is more like the EX. The X-Pro essentially combines the look of the X-Line with the benefits of SX amenities and rugged off-roading features. The X-Pro Prestige adds the panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and most SX Prestige features while also adding the best off-roading equipment and options.

If you choose the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, you can go for the affordable LX, the well-equipped EX or the top-of-the-line SX Prestige. The high-tech Sportage Hybrid Plug-In starts with the EX, but allows you to step up to the SX Prestige.

The 2023 Sportage is more capable than before with an 8-speed automatic transmission to control its new 187-horsepower engine. Ground clearance is now 7.1 or 8.3 inches. That’s quite a jump from the 6.4 or 6.8 inches typical of the previous generation.

Front-wheel drive is standard, but all wheel drive is sure to be popular. New multi-terrain modes include snow, smart, and sport. Now with standard Trailer Stability Assist, the Sportage can tow up to 2,500 pounds. That’s an increase of 850 pounds.

Active AWD acts more like a four-wheel drivetrain, but without the heavy equipment. Torque can move from front to rear via the center differential. X-Pro models have this system plus the higher ground clearance, making them capable of taking to the trail.

The 2023 Sportage HEV has more horsepower than the previous four-cylinder engine. Hybrid SUV powertrains generate 227 horsepower. They can drive for over 500 miles between fill-ups. With the PHEV tech, the Sportage can do even more.

The 2023 Sportage PHEV has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that can drive for about 30 miles. Then it can earn hybrid fuel economy. That makes it an even greener machine than the regular hybrid SUV. An electric motor and a high-tech battery work with a turbocharged four engine.

By offering so many choices, Sportage buyers can consider whether to stay with the regular powertrain, go for the hybrid or choose the plug-in hybrid. The choice for consumers has never been greater than it is today.

Kia engineers started from the ground up when they remade the 2022 Kia Sportage for the 2023 model year. A new platform allowed for a bigger build. Height and width grew by a bit, and the length grew by 7.1 inches. The wheelbase gained 3.4 inches.

With all of the extra space, the Sportage now has 41.3 inches of legroom on the second row. That’s almost as much as the front. With that much space, it leads its subcompact class. It also surpasses or matches many compact SUVs. This means it can go head-to-head with the 2023 Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson and others in that class.

Even better, the 2023 Sportage Hybrid models don’t lose much space at all. These have 39.4 inches of space for the back seat, and the cargo area has the same measurements as the regular Sportage.

The 2022 model had 30.7 cubic feet in the cargo hold. New Sportage owners will have 39.6 cubic feet in the cargo hold. This is achieved by placing the cargo floor in its lowest position. If you compare that to rivals, you’ll find less space. For instance, the 2022 Jeep Cherokee has only 25.6 cu ft in the hold.

In its highest position, the dual-level floor matches up with the fold-and-dive second-row bench. This creates a flat floor and a space of 69.3 cubic feet. The lowered floor allows the owner to claim 74.1 cubic feet of space. Again, you can compare that to the Cherokee with 54.5 cu ft after the seats are folded.

The standard forward collision avoidance system watches for stopping cars and pedestrians. When upgraded with certain trims, it also watches for junction-related dangers. There is a lane keeping assist that works with the driver and a lane following assist that works with the adaptive cruise control. Other standards include a driver attention warning and a rear occupant alert.

The blind spot alert can be upgraded to a blind spot monitor. Likewise, the rearview camera can be upgraded to a SurroundView system. Adaptive Cruise Control has a curve-anticipating feature when it is linked to navigation. This ACC-C can be even more automated when the Sportage is equipped with Highway Driving Assist.

Driving assistance features include a reverse autobrake that may respond to the rear parking sensor or to the rear cross traffic system. Finally, Kia is one of the few brands to offer a Safe Exit Alert to keep family members from stepping out into traffic.

With so much to offer, there’s never been a better time to shop for a Kia Sportage. Check out our inventory and let us know if you have any questions.