2023 Kia Sportage Successfully Gets a Jumpstart on Season’s New Beginnings By Claiming Victory in Motor1.com 2022 Star Awards

Taking top honors in “best of” lineups is an accomplishment for any spectacular car or SUV to thoroughly enjoy over the holidays, as many buyers here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis will make the important choice regarding what model they want! The 2023 Kia Sportage claimed top honors in the “Best SUV” category in the Motor1.com 2022 Star Awards, thanks to its improvements in performance, roominess, and design over the outgoing model. 

The hybrid version is a key and very practical daily driver’s component when it comes to electrification, and the ongoing plans to embrace alternative fuel offerings are clearly laid out by Kia’s “Plan S” global strategy. This was a well-recognized effort on behalf of Motor1.com which was built upon the Sportage’s excellent driving dynamics, superior design, and an excellent array of technology offerings. Boasting a top-notch hybrid not only adds clout to the Sportage lineup, but a unique luster and massive appeal to Kia’s entire portfolio.

This highly regulated and coveted race to the top considers all new vehicles that have been rated by a team of season editors, and then endure a week of facing off with each other on a variety of different terrain tests. Then after a very close look at performance, safety, cutting-edge designs, and comfort, pros and cons are debated, and final winners are selected. As competition gets tighter across segments, this decision becomes tougher for judges each year. 

The Kia Sportage hybrid boasted the features and appealing refinement to render it the best for the many scenarios one encounters during every season after embarking on the road. Significantly larger than the outgoing model, the new Sportage boasts some of the most fascinating latest advancements in technology, such as an expanded list of ADAS features and awesome available dual panoramic display screens. The hybrid powertrain employs the winning combination of a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a 44-kW motor. 

The EPA mileage rating holds strongly at 42/44/43 mpg city/highway/combined, and this winning engine combo cranks out 227 horsepower to the choice of either front-wheel drive or active all-wheel drive system. The Motor Trend review team excitedly claimed that “this is a bumper-to-bumper triumph with a wealth of changes to attract diverse buyers.” Their test drive allowed for them to finalize their opinion that this is one of the most spacious compact SUVs out there on the market, and the inclusion of a 12.3-inch touchscreen is a wise move after taking note of what consumers are deeming as sought-after most. 

As the season for longer trips is now upon us, everyone on board will love the USB outlets placed just above the floor, and the latches in the cargo area that make folding down the rear seat that much easier. The hybrid also cuts an entire two seconds off of the base model’s 0-60 time, and cuts down on pesky cabin noise to boot. There are so many instances where drivers ask us just what we would recommend shopping for, and as the post-holiday lists populate with productivity and recreation needs, we’d have to render the Sportage as one of our front-running and most eco-friendly picks! 

2023 Kia Sportage Lineup Wins on New Design Philosophy, Bonus of Industrious Inline 4-cylinder

Like all our other models available here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, the completely redesigned 2023 Kia Sportage continues on with our savvy technology offerings, class-leading warranty coverage, and an awesome off-road appearance package that comes standard with all-wheel drive. All Sportages now come with a naturally aspirated 187-hp 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, and all-wheel drive as an option on the LX, EX, and SX. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are set to follow soon, and the Sportage X-Pro features all-terrain tires and the ability to jump right off road and handle business!

You can always find the current-model Sportage here at Jim Butler, with one of the nicest cabins in its class, turbo engine, and ideally flashy appearance. One of the rivals consistently spotted within the periscope is the Mazda CX-5, as the Sportage continues to offer up a very entertaining drive while brandishing the new Nightfall Edition package replacing the S trim level, which adds dark 18-inch wheels, passive keyless entry, heated front seats, and push-button start. 

Each Sportage EX now comes with a panoramic sunroof, and the SX Turbo models both add 10 years of complimentary map updates within the useful onboard data set. Every Sportage trim level comes with the benefits of dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, passive entry, and a very useful power-operated liftgate. The EX-Technology package is recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy all the extra time spent inside, even if it is in a downright traffic standstill: it adds adaptive cruise control, leather surfaces, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, an upgraded audio system, and wireless charging. 

The front-drive, base-engine Sportage can easily nail down 23 MPG city and 30 highway, with the front-drive turbo model offering up 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Another comparison that means we know things are being done right is courtesy of the tried-and-true Car and Driver team, who compared the Sportage’s interior to those of Audi’s stature, with a well-executed cabin and a great mix of quality materials to tastefully bring the vibe up a notch. Key safety features include standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. 

Boasting easy-to-use controls, a great value, and refinement in terms of performance, the Sportage enjoys great performance around town, with its smooth braking and ideally-placed low-end torque. The ride is sporty, the suspension is ample, and every seating position up front offers a good range of motion. The current year’s Sportage was ranked by Edmunds.com as having a distinct advantage over the competition with its five-year/ 60,000-mile basic warranty and shining performance as a daily commuter for those who need a practical and sound vehicle most!