The all-new Kia Sportage is front and center within the “pre-winter flurry” of activity here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as we have had a stellar year full of achievements, satisfied customers, and new releases to celebrate. The 2023 Sportage has seen a complete rework, with a size 7.1 inches longer than the outgoing model, with a wheelbase that has been extended another 3.4 inches. This provides a nice barrier of defining difference between the Sportage and its close relative in the form of the Seltos, also gaining new followers by the day with its 39.6 cubic feet of cargo room in the back.
The available engine is the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that puts out 187 horsepower to all 4 wheels and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Both the Sportage Hybrid and plug-in Hybrid derive power from the same engines situated in the Tucson Hybrid and the PHEV, which is a 1.6-liter gas engine paired up with an electric motor. The Hybrid boasts 226 horsepower, while the Sportage PHEV cranks out 261 horsepower and provides an all-electric range of more than 30 miles.
The new Sportage is the ideal vehicle for a busy student, as it’s a 5-seater with plenty of room for your cohorts after prepping to go out on the town or the busy new Realtor who spends lots of time in this awesome mobile office. The dash features an integrated multi-function touchscreen controller, and the system is simple to use. Switching to Sport Mode provides an increased response on the throttle, a higher transmission shift point, and tightened steering.
Once you begin to enjoy the thrill of really picking up speed, Sport mode increases control and helps with handling, and is the perfect fun extra kick when you are after power instead of eco-friendly chops. The Marketwatch team thought that the quality that really stood out about driving the new Sportage was how quiet it was, with an inside so peaceful that it ranks up there with some of the world’s priciest luxury brands. Handling provides a great quality of stability around corners, and the Drive Wise features in the Sportage function well without being too jumpy and interruptive.
The design for the interior was inspired by the vibe of high-end outdoor equipment, with a very curvy display and a large color 12.3-inch touchscreen. The location of the center console puts buttons and controls within reasonably easy reach, and no lovable friends that we share the planet with were hurt in the process of sourcing, as animal-free leather materials are used. There’s also an extra 3 inches of rear legroom than in the outgoing model, and a dual-level cargo floor for help with hauling after the obligatory holiday airport pickup!
The Sportage’s previous model was already one of the nicest-looking SUVs out there, and there are now a few more modern touches and a black grille graphic that adds a neatly sinister visual. We have repeatedly heard many customers tell us how much they enjoy the signature Tiger Nose grille on Kia SUVs, and this one also adds slightly lower-mounted headlights and u-shaped daytime running lights. We have been watching excitedly as more customers have enjoyed the challenges of going offroad lately and the X-pro and X-Pro Prestige models provide an extra 1.5 inches of extra ground clearance along with a multi-terrain all-wheel drive system to valiantly conquer the dirt!
