The all-new crossover is going to be ready to take on the biggest names in the class. The 2023 KIA Sportage will go after Toyota Rav4 and Honda CR-V. Well, for that, we will have to see many notable upgrades. The Korean company promised, and the upcoming Sportage is going to introduce a fresh look, modern features, and even more efficient drivetrains.
There are a few things the 2023 KIA Sportage has to fix to silence critics. For example, low cargo capacity was one of the biggest downsides. Well, this is a compact crossover and you don’t expect too much space. However, compared to the competition, it must be better. The base engine is unimpressive. The company can drop it without consequences. A more capable drivetrain is still not going to stun you with the gas mileage, which is one of the main reasons not to go after a larger SUV. The 2023 Sportage Hybrid is a likely fix for both those problems. Finally, Kia will have to deal with the safety, since the visibility is not the greatest.
Still, those downsides are on one side of the medal. Its counterparts are the things why buyers are in love with Sportage. We hope that Kia will keep a generous head and legroom in both rows, nice equipment across all trims, and a smooth and silent ride. The new design is already introduced, and it draws a lot of attention from first sight.
What We Know So Far?
Sportage is available in the US ever since the Korean company started selling its vehicles in this part of the world. The crossover survived everything in the past 30 years – tough competition, economic crisis, and many other things. Plus, nowadays, we are seeing more Sportage SUVs on the streets than ever. It is not happening by chance. Kia is putting in a lot of effort. Not only the crossover is growing and becoming more popular, but also all other Kia vehicles. Next season we could even see the first truck (based on Telluride SUV) at dealerships.
But let’s go back to the 2023 KIA Sportage. The crossover is introduced at the latest LA Auto Show. However, fans will have to wait for another year before the SUV hits dealerships. Of course, the fifth generation is going to bring a whole new look, outside and inside. A hybrid version is coming to the US. The configurations will be the same here and in Europe. This is a serious step forward in evolution. Fuel economy numbers are still unknown. The Sportage Hybrid is going to improve one of the downsides, but Kia needs something special to be competitive with main rivals. Finally, the new SUV is going to be built in the West Point plant, Georgia. Moving the production from South Korea might lead to a better price than ever before.
2023 KIA Sportage Hybrid Specifications and Gas Mileage
So, the 2023 KIA Sportage Hybrid is the main upgrade we want to see on the upcoming vehicle. According to the first announcements, it will be more than enough. Kia reported that the Sportage is going to reach 39 mpg. Although it is not getting into the club 40, this is more than a respectable upgrade. A 1.6-liter engine is a base and it gets support from a 1.5-kWh battery. The total output should be 225 horsepower. So, the Sportage Hybrid is delivering both power and mileage. Towing capacity will be 2,000 pounds. A six-speed auto sends power to either front or both axles.
Compared to the competition, this should be enough. For example, leaders in this segment can make 40+ mpg. Kia is going to work on the plug-in hybrid system, which might be out with the 2024 YM. However, there are not too many crossovers that can breach this mark. On the other hand, Jeep and Chevy vehicles don’t offer any of those.
2023 KIA Sportage Release Date and Price
Everything about the new crossover is official. Well, there are a few things to be unveiled, such as the pricing and complete trim levels list. Experts believe the upcoming SUV should start at around $25,000. Although the production is moved to the US, and fans expected discounts, that is at a slightly higher level than its predecessor. EX might already be very close to the $30k mark, while the SX is definitely beyond. The X-Pro package is going to fix another issue – the lack of off-road capability. We suppose the bundle might cost about $2,000.
Base Equipment and Colors
From what we saw, the small crossover will draw a lot of attention. Well, it has it all. The equipment includes a large infotainment touchscreen display and a few advanced options, previously available as the additional upgrade. Concept images are showing an attractive two-tone color. However, the new generation is bringing a new palette. It will be unveiled at the start of sales. The X-Pro is going to enhance off-road drive with all-terrain tires and drive modes selection.
Sources and more photos: Motor1, The Car Connection, Car and Driver
