My Thoughts Exactly: 2023 Kia Sportage

Before I talk about the 2023 Kia Sportage, I need to go back in time.

It became Kia’s second vehicle to be sold in the USA in the mid-1990s. The original Sportage competed teagainst the Suzuki Sidekick and Geo (Chevrolet) Tracker with its small size and a choice of a two-door soft top model and a four-door SUV. It was the first SUV imported to the USA from the Republic of Korea. 

In 2005, the Sportage remained a compact SUV while moving to a new platform shared with the first-generation Hyundai Tucson. It rode high and was quite rugged. It had to be, since it no had a wider competitive set to contend with – including the Toyota RAV4. 

Then came the third-generation model. The less conventional 2011 Sportage went for a rounded shape, eliminated the C-pillar glass, and tried to be a different competitor to a growing class of popular compact SUVs. The same design concept continued for another generation. 

Now, the Sportage has taken yet another twist in design, performance, and utility. You might say it now looks like one of its competitors again.

Well…almost. 

Kia took the Sportage in two directions at once. The mainstream direction towards increasing interior volume to match its competitors and adding a third pane of glass for the C-pillar. Then, the geometric one that incorporates some new Kia styling tricks onto a mainstream SUV. 

To address the latter, the Sportage’s face is a more geometric design that pushes the headlamp units to the edge of the front clip. A pair of “boomerang” LED running rights frame the lighting units. The Sportage wears a very distinctive face that adds to its overall distinctive look. 

As for the mainstream portion of the exterior design, the c-pillar glass is framed by a satin chrome surround with a geometric pattern etched into it. The rear of the Sportage features a taillight design that is also geometric. They frame the liftgate, that sports a spoiler over the glass to extend the roofline. 

My Hybrid EX tester came with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels that finish off the contemporary, future-forward look of the Sportage. “Future-forward” and “contemporary!” Those are the phrases that describe this transformation of the 2023 Sportage! 

Those exterior themes follow well into the interior. It starts with a piano black panel stretching two-thirds down the dashboard with two large screens. On the left is a 12.2-inch digital screen for instrumentation and vehicle functions. On the right is a 12.3-inch right one handling the infotainment functions, including smartphone integration. 

The console is also in piano black. It is also the location of the ignition button and the rotary shifter for the transmission. A few functions are also on the console, along with controls spread from the steering wheel and along the dashboard. 

Because the Sportage has the wide infotainment screen, there is no wireless smartphone integration. You do get a choice of USB-A and USB-C connections to wire up. There is wireless charging for your device, however. The Sportage EX only gets the standard set of six speakers, which emit a nice sound throughout the cabin. 

The EX’s front seats felt a tad firm, but very supportive. Rear seat room is accommodating for all bodies to sit comfortably. The real noticeable difference in the new Sportage is beyond the second row of seats, as cargo space is up from the previous generation model. It starts with 39.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats up, expanding to 73.7 cubic feet with them folded down.

The major news for the 2023 Sportage is a choice three different power options available across the lineup. This tester – the same exact one George Torline made a video on back that Midwest Automotive Media Association Rally back in May – had the hybrid driveline. The system starts with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with an electric motor running from a battery pack, a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. Combined, this system puts out 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. 

This is the first Sportage to get a hybrid driveline, but it is a familiar system – save for the extra two wheels being driven by it. It demonstrated that the Sportage Hybrid is quick off the mark. I did find some sluggishness when you put on the cruise control – the only concern I had in my time behind the wheel. However, the Sportage Hybrid did turn in a fuel consumption average of 35.0 MPG. 

The 2023 Sportage’s driving dynamics would be considered run of the mill. Ride quality was nice, while managing rougher surfaces without much feedback from the road itself. It also handles nicely, with some softness in the turns. 

Overall, steering feel is good. It showed a solid on-center feel and wheel response to the wheels. Brakes were also good, starting with a solid pedal feel. The system turned in solid stops in normal and panic situations.

My 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX tester is one of 13 trim levels available for this model’s lineup. Three of which are Hybrids and another two are for the Plug-In Hybrid driveline that is available. Pricing for the Sportage lineup starts at $25,990. My tester came with a sticker price of $33,860. 

Kia did a solid job bringing the Sportage into line with the rest of the segment. Increasing the size – in particular working on the C-pillar and adding more interior and cargo space – certainly helps put this SUV on a level playing field in what continues to be a very competitive segment. That is, a segment that is still competitive despite continuing challenges in the supply chain towards meeting demand. 

The biggest challenge for Kia is to not just get the Sportage onto the road. They have done so by doubling their September sales from 2021 to 2022. Year-to-Date sales are also ahead of the previous year. 

However, you are not into sales figures. You want a good SUV that fits your lifestyle. Now, there is a choice of them. Perhaps the Sportage belongs on that shopping list of yours. That is, if you can get one. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Kia America

All photos by Randy Stern