What sort of automobile is the 2023 Kia Sportage? What does it examine to?

The Sportage is a compact crossover SUV that grows in measurement and options for the most recent technology. With seating for 5 and a brand new off-road-leaning trim, the Sportage rivals autos such because the associated Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape.

Is the 2023 Kia Sportage an excellent crossover SUV?

Assessment continues under

Traditionally, the Sportage’s distinct model and loaded function set earned it a strong TCC Ranking of 6.7 out of 10, however we received’t decide the fifth-generation Sportage till we drive it early subsequent yr. (Learn extra about how we fee automobiles.)

What’s new for the 2023 Kia Sportage?

The redesigned Sportage wears a sharper face and sports activities a roomier inside because of its longer physique. Two new off-road suggestive trim packages add some poser persona, however the inside on prime fashions may be geared up with twin 12.3-inch shows beneath a single pane of glass for a futuristic cockpit unusual within the compact crossover class. 

Kia pinched the grille of the brand new Sportage with vertical DRLs that boomerang from the bumper to the fender. Kia ironed out the hood creases to the perimeters, and tasteful black cladding runs over the spherical wheel arches down the rockers to the rear. In again, LED taillights bridge the tailgate in a single lightbar above an enormous black panel and vast rear bumper. A physique line kicks up on the rear to the tapering roofline for a clear, sensible profile that appears extra Subaru than it does the daring and pleasant Hyundai Tucson.

Slotting between the Kia Seltos small crossover and Kia Sorento three-row SUV, the Sportage’s largest modifications arrive within the type of a roomier inside. Right here, it raises the ante on Hyundai’s origami exterior of the Tucson with an out there panoramic glass show of 25 inches of screens throughout the sprint. Framing the pane are angled vertical vents that focus consideration on the cabin’s centerpiece. Beneath it, a skinny panel of haptic local weather controls flanked by temperature knobs completes the sprint design. A gear lever and drive mode selector fill out the console, in addition to a touchpad for local weather management and infotainment settings that causes us some concern—not less than till we attempt it out. 

On the North American debut, Kia disclosed a single albeit bigger engine. A 2.5-liter inline-4 will make 187 hp, as a substitute of 181 hp within the outgoing mannequin. An 8-speed automated replaces the sluggish 6-speed and guarantees extra effectivity, however we’ll withhold impressions till we drive it. Kia guarantees Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid variants, much like the brand new Hyundai Tucson, but it surely hasn’t disclosed particulars but. There’s additionally no indication if the 240-hp turbo-4 that powered the SX Turbo mannequin will proceed. 

Entrance-wheel drive comes normal, however all-wheel-drive fashions acquire 1.5 inches of floor clearance over the previous mannequin, to eight.3 inches. 

The stealthy X-Line mannequin features an off-road counterpart in two new X-Professional trims. X-Line fashions get distinct bumpers and gloss-black aspect mirrors, roof rack, window surrounds, and 19-inch wheels. X-Professional provides a level of functionality to the X-Line’s look package deal, with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires wrapped on 17-inch black wheels, LED fog lights, a two-tone roof, and out there cooled energy entrance seats. The X-Professional comes normal with all-wheel drive and artificial leather-based seats. 

The Sportage grows grows wider, taller, and seven.1 inches longer to 183.5 inches in size, taking it to almost Volkswagen Tiguan proportions. The longer wheelbase opens up what have been already spacious rear seats to bigger SUV consolation with 41.3 inches of rear leg room. A tiered cargo ground carries as much as 39.6 cubic toes of drugs, which is greater than even the Volkswagen Tiguan. 

Security stays as large a precedence as area within the new Sportage. Normal security gear contains LED headlights with automated excessive beams, automated emergency braking with pedestrian and bike owner detection, energetic lane management, parking sensors, and a rear-occupant alert. Choices embody blind-spot screens with digicam projections within the cluster, navigation-based adaptive cruise management, restricted hands-free driving on the freeway, a surround-view digicam system, a distant parking function, and different driver-assist tech. Traditionally, the Sportage has earned prime crash-test scores from the NHTSA and the IIHS however the redesigned mannequin has not but been mangled within the title of security. 

How a lot does the 2023 Kia Sportage value?

Pricing shall be introduced earlier than the on-sale date within the first quarter of 2022. The expanded lineup contains LX, EX, SX, SX-Status, and X-Line, in addition to two new off-road packages within the X-Professional and X-Professional Status. The outgoing base LX prices a bit greater than $25,000. 

Normal options embody an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and Bluetooth pairing for 2 telephones concurrently. Choices embody wi-fi smartphone charging, a wi-fi hotspot, Harman Kardon sound, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen on all however the base LX. 

The place is the 2023 Kia Sportage made?

Most Sportages shall be made in West Level, Georgia, alongside the Telluride, Sorento, and K5.