We are never short of enthusiasm for the Kia lineup here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, especially now as some models are getting the first increments of awards and accolades for the year. The 2023 Kia Sportage has now been named the Utility Vehicle of the Year in the 2023 AutoGuide awards, where editors give digital homage to the best vehicles on the market. Already enjoying its existence as a Kia icon, the Sportage was elevated to prime recognition after its overhaul last year.
Beginning in 2013, the AutoGuide Awards celebrate the best new or recently updated vehicles of the year. 2014 saw the addition of truck and SUV categories, and Family Vehicle as well as Green Vehicle of the year were added to the roster in 2021. This year, as interest and segment representation grew, there were refined categories for Truck, Utility Vehicle, and Electric Vehicle of the year. AutoGuide managing editor Mike Schlee commented on how the team is impressed every time they drive the Sportage, and was enthusiastic about its gas, hybrid, and plug-in options that provide appeal to every demographic.
The Sportage has always stood out with its comfortable ride quality, spacious seating, and more-than-ample rear cargo area. The X-Pro Trim offers more off-road capability, and so many here at Jim Butler Kia have loved the Sportage’s tech-rich package that comes at a very reasonable price. In direct competition with the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4, the Sportage is an eager contender that doesn’t get lost in the shuffle, with its striking looks and class-leading warranty.
The off-road-focused qualities of the X-Pro trim are helpful for tackling the trail with all-terrain tires, all-wheel drive, and a locking center differential as standard. Another sweet addition to this setup is the Prestige Package, which adds LED headlights and taillights, ventilated front seats, a power front passenger seat, and a larger array of safety technology. At highway speeds, the Sportage cruised with minimal road and wind noise for the Motor Trend team. They also noted that it felt ideally light and perfectly precise during cornering.
The Sportage also has snagged the honors of Top Safety Pick from IIHS and flexes its protective nature with lane-keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, driver attention alerts, rear backup sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and hands-free adaptive cruise control on every model. X-Pro Prestige models also sport the 360-degree camera view mode, parking collision avoidance, and front and rear parking sensors. Delivery and great execution of its formula allow the Sportage to never fall short of Kia standards, and the Car and Driver testing crew was thrilled with its EPA combined estimate of 43 mpg with front-wheel drive.
Always a grade above what you need for the accessible daily drive, the Sportage’s ultimate tire set comes in the form of BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. Each Sportage model equipped with all-wheel drive also fares well for bouldering and fording with 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Fiercely growing larger, more capable, and powerful, we have nothing but the highest of recommendations and praise for this valuable member of our lineup and “movement that inspires.”
