On Wednesday, Kia unveiled a hybrid version of its redesigned 2023 Sportage compact crossover. It will go on sale in the United States early next year.
Unveiled at the 2021 Los Angeles auto show, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid has the same unorthodox styling as the petrol model launched in October.
Powertrains include a 1.6-litre turbo-4 petrol engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, working with a single electric motor and 1.49 kWh battery pack. Base LX models receive standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive; Higher-end EX and SX-Prestige models use all-wheel drive only.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Total system output is 226 horsepower, more than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and allows for 2,000 pounds of towing capacity, according to Kia.
A complete fuel economy estimate isn’t available yet, but Kia says it’s targeting 39 mpg for front-wheel drive models. That would align closely with hybrid crossovers from Honda and Toyota.
Meanwhile, Kia parent company Hyundai only offers the Tucson Hybrid with all-wheel drive, 230 hp and 38 mpg combined EPA-rated for the efficiency-focused Blue.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Pricing will be announced at a later date, but the Sportage Hybrid will be available with the usual range of driver-assistance tech, including lane-keeping assist and a driver attention monitor. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, which together with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen form a panoramic display, will be available as an option. .
Rear Sportage Hybrid is bigger Sorento Hybrid crossover, but Kia did not replace the Optima Hybrid sedan when that model was renamed the K5. The Sorento is also available as a plug-in hybrid.
Kia is also focus on electric cars as part of a Plan S initiative, which includes a $25 billion investment by the end of 2025. The automaker plans to roll out 11 EVs by 2026, starting with EV6 crossover and finally includes a range of dedicated EVs. That will likely include a production version of the EV9 . concept debuted with the Sportage Hybrid in LA.
