Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Status 4WD
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Colour: Shadow Matte Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 173
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 37.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | A |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A- |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 217-horsepower, 1.6-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged hybrid |
| Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 55% metropolis, 45% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 38/38/38 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base value: $37,490 (not together with $1375 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($595), cargo mat ($95), flooring mats ($175)
Value as examined: $39,730
Execs and Cons
The nice: Easy and robust hybrid drivetrain, elegant cabin
The great: Loads of grownup area, anticipated hybrid gasoline economic system
The not so good: Rear seatbacks don’t fold fully flat
Assessment
With electric-vehicle gross sales rising at a slower-than-industry-expected tempo, carmakers are scrambling to realign their product portfolios with an assortment of powertrain choices, together with internal-combustion engines (ICE) hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and full-electric vehicles and vehicles (BEV). And, for the really masochistic model, fuel-cell (hydrogen) automobiles, too.
And whereas Kia doesn’t presently retail a fuel-cell car, company sister model Hyundai does, within the type of the NEXO small crossover. And, in case you had been questioning, Hyundai managed to promote 77 NEXOs within the first half of 2024, all of them in California, and all of them close to Los Angeles, the place the one public hydrogen gasoline stations within the nation are positioned.
However Kia’s lack of involvement within the doubtful fuel-cell phase doesn’t imply the model isn’t properly positioned to benefit from the public’s present enthusiasm for hybrid automobiles—which has reached new ranges. In actual fact, Kia could also be among the many carmakers finest in a position to meet rising shopper demand for various powertrain choices.
For 2025, along with its standard ICE choices, Kia additionally affords the next:
Kia Hybrid Fashions
- Niro (small crossover)
- Sportage (compact crossover)
- Sorento (midsize crossover)
- Carnival (minivan)
Kia Plug-in Hybrid Fashions
Kia Electrical Automobiles
Word that although the Niro is obtainable with three drivetrain choices, not all are provided in each state. Take a look at the Kia web site for particulars.
After all, promoting a hybrid is one matter, and promoting a superb hybrid is one other. We’re blissful to report that the Kia Sportage Hybrid, which we’re reviewing right here, is particularly spectacular, when it comes to each normal operation, and general effectivity. We’ll get to each in a second.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2025, Kia affords the favored Sportage in seven standard trim ranges, three hybrid variations, and two plug-in hybrid trims. Beginning with the bottom providing, the Sportage Hybrid is available in LX ($29,965), EX ($33,765), and SX Status ($38,965) trim ranges.
Engines
Whereas the standard Kia Sportage is fitted with a 2.5-liter usually aspirated (not turbocharged) engine, the Sportage Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged mill fitted with a pair of electrical batteries and mated to a 6-speed computerized system. Complete system output is a claimed 227 horsepower, a major bump over the usual Sportage’s 187 horses. The Sportage hybrid is out there with front- or all-wheel drive.
Word that no vital modifications are anticipated for the 2025 mannequin, although a major replace could arrive for 2026.
Check Drive
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of an AWD 2024 Sportage Hybrid SX-Status in Shadow Matte Grey. Together with vacation spot cost, our check crossover got here to $39,730.
Cabin and Connectivity
Like so many small crossovers in the present day, the Sportage, particularly in high-zoot SX-Status trim, feels extra like a luxurious automotive than a mainstream, popularly priced car. The 2-tone cabin upholstery is each elegant and sporty, and the single-piece instrument panel/touchscreen appears trendy and clear. We discovered the first infotainment controls to work properly, and the touchscreen icons simple to establish at a look.
One odd management ingredient that we didn’t love was the dual-use touch-panel controls under the touchscreen. The controls alternate between local weather and audio and capabilities, and provide no haptic suggestions when touched. In apply the controls work fairly properly, however usually are not a welcome substitute for rear, tactile, switchgear.
Room and Consolation
As for area, the Sportage boasts a lot. There’s a beneficiant quantity of big-guy area within the entrance row, and solely barely much less within the second seating row. Moreover, the seats are agency and long-trip supportive.
Energy and Efficiency
Beneath means, the Sportage Hyrid acquits itself properly, with loads of energy, and easy hybrid operation. In contrast to Kias of the previous, which suffered from balky hybrid engine/motor interplay, the Sportage boasts refined energy supply and quiet operation. Higher nonetheless, we noticed 37+ mpg in routine drive. Glorious mileage given the ability.
Experience and Dealing with
Experience and dealing with are additionally class main. The Sportage Hybrid feels typically athletic, and experience high quality is impressively refined, in a kind of German-luxury kind of means.
Cargo Area
There loads of room within the cargo space, although the second-row seatbacks don’t fold fully flat, leaving a small “curb” or types for bigger parcels to be pushed/wrestled over.
Worth
At lower than $40,000, the Sportage Hybrid is much less of an alternative-fuel choice for Kia customers, and extra of a premium choice. The Hybrid affords not solely higher gasoline economic system than the standard Sportage, however higher efficiency, as properly. Plus, hybrids fashions of any make have demonstrated higher worth at trade-in time than have their conventionally powered counterparts.
On this phase, it is smart to additionally check drive the excellent Honda CR-V Hybrid, and the hybrid Toyota RAV4. All provide spectacular gasoline economic system in sensible and refined packages. And, if design and styling matter a lot to you, you’ll wish to take an additional shut have a look at the Sportage.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Status Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
