Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Status 4WD
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Shade: Shadow Matte Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 173
Actual-world gas economic system: 37.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial 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 stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A- |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings 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 Sort | Turbocharged hybrid |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 55% metropolis, 45% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 38/38/38 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common fuel
Base worth: $37,490 (not together with $1375 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($595), cargo mat ($95), flooring mats ($175)
Worth as examined: $39,730
Execs and Cons
The good: Easy and powerful hybrid drivetrain, stylish cabin
The great: Loads of grownup house, anticipated hybrid gas economic system
The not so good: Rear seatbacks don’t fold utterly flat
Overview
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 automobiles and vans (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 gas stations within the nation are positioned.
However Kia’s lack of involvement within the doubtful fuel-cell section doesn’t imply the model isn’t effectively 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 capable of meet rising shopper demand for different powertrain choices.
For 2025, along with its standard ICE choices, Kia additionally presents 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 supplied in each state. Try the Kia web site for particulars.
After all, promoting a hybrid is one matter, and promoting a superb hybrid is one other. We’re comfortable to report that the Kia Sportage Hybrid, which we’re reviewing right here, is particularly spectacular, by way of each common operation, and general effectivity. We’ll get to each in a second.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2025, Kia presents 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 automated system. Complete system output is a claimed 227 horsepower, a major bump over the usual Sportage’s 187 horses. The Sportage hybrid is on the market with front- or all-wheel drive.
Word that no vital adjustments are anticipated for the 2025 mannequin, although a major replace might arrive for 2026.
Check Drive
Client Information just lately spent every 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 at present, 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 stylish and sporty, and the single-piece instrument panel/touchscreen seems fashionable and clear. We discovered the first infotainment controls to work effectively, and the touchscreen icons simple to determine at a look.
One odd management factor that we didn’t love was the dual-use touch-panel controls beneath the touchscreen. The controls alternate between local weather and audio and capabilities, and supply no haptic suggestions when touched. In follow the controls work fairly effectively, however should not a welcome substitute for rear, tactile, switchgear.
Room and Consolation
As for house, the Sportage boasts a lot. There’s a beneficiant quantity of big-guy house 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
Underneath approach, the Sportage Hyrid acquits itself effectively, with loads of energy, and easy hybrid operation. Not like 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. Wonderful mileage given the ability.
Trip and Dealing with
Trip and dealing with are additionally class main. The Sportage Hybrid feels usually athletic, and trip high quality is impressively refined, in a type of German-luxury type of approach.
Cargo Area
There loads of room within the cargo space, although the second-row seatbacks don’t fold utterly flat, leaving a small “curb” or kinds for bigger parcels to be pushed/wrestled over.
Worth
At lower than $40,000, the Sportage Hybrid is much less of an alternative-fuel possibility for Kia consumers, and extra of a premium possibility. The Hybrid presents not solely higher gas economic system than the standard Sportage, however higher efficiency, as effectively. Plus, hybrids fashions of any make have demonstrated larger worth at trade-in time than have their conventionally powered counterparts.
On this section, it is sensible to additionally check drive the excellent Honda CR-V Hybrid, and the hybrid Toyota RAV4. All supply spectacular gas economic system in sensible and refined packages. And, if design and styling matter a lot to you, you’ll need to take an additional shut take a look at the Sportage.
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2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Status Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photographs