I just bought this same car sx pres. hybrid but I cannot figure out why my headliner is off white when this one is black? could it be the red interior? Mine is black interior but the headliner is white drives me nuts. Also for anyone that owns one. If you want the front end toned down a tad bit. That top silver piece on the grill can be covered in a gloss black ABS plastic cover sold from Korea on Ebay for 100$ it really makes the car look better and not so busy. I left all the bottom silver stuff alone. I love the Matte paint.
The model types have a few differences as you go up in model and price. You should have factory ordered it and you could have designed it every which way you wanted with all the options this vehicle offers. I’m just waiting for the new anti price gauging regulations to take affect after the new year and I’m ordering one from Kia itself an not a dealer.
The front end styling is on the busy side, but overall, I like the design. I don’t think anyone is judging the Sportage styling now that the K4 has gone on sale. 🤮
Holy crap, with the handling (compared to others in class), the quiet interior, and the excellent fuel economy this may just be the replacement for our Crosstrek.
Very good video and review. A couple of comments, first, I think the front end is the best looking of any car on the road. I think it is so unique and just awesome looking. Second, I've had mine for about two months, a sportage hybrid, SX prestige, and I love it, and I'm getting about 41 miles to the gallon and it is the all wheel drive.. I know it says 38 miles to the gallon, but I get much better, mileage is fantastic. Best car I've ever purchased.
I don't see any information out there on the length of the cargo area with the back seats down. Can you tell me how long it is to the back of the drivers seat?
I've had my 2023 Sportage Hybrid for about a month now and I LOVE IT! It is great on the road: quiet, handles well, good acceleration and braking. The dual mode heat/media buttons do take getting used but it's fine after a while. You get used to using the steering wheel components for everything anyway. Nothing beats the display. Everyone who gets in my car comments on the screen. I still haven't learned all the tech features....but that is a process I really love. The features are mostly intuitive. Prior to this I had a 2018 CRV and I loved that car. I thought about getting a 2023 CRV but loved the looks of the Sportage. I was tired of driving the most popular small SUV...CRV and RAVs are everywhere and that gets boring. So far, no complaints...I highly recommend!
I have the black SX Prestige Hybrid. So far I love it. I disagree with you about the front end. I love the look. However, I do agree with you about the dual function climate radio controls. It can get confusing. What I do is try to use the steering wheel controls for the radio and the control panel for the climate. That makes it much easier.
Sensible. Then it only needs to be switched if the passenger is controlling the music, and if they're well trained they'll return it to climate settings. One thing that never get mentioned is that the four controls closest to the left knob always stay the same, and those control important features like front and rear defrost. I don't mess with the temperature much in cars with automatic climate control, so could easily leave the panel on infotainment, needing just those buttons that don't change. I'm more bothered by that surface being completely smooth. I think they should have at least put some bumps or a raised bit for the 'buttons' that switch between functions, and maybe also those switches that don't change.
I agree! The front looks amazing... Hey btw, did dealership sell you SX-prestige for the sticker price? How much more 💵can we expect? I'm planning to but one soon...
@@SuperMan-nk3td I managed to get my hands on the hybrid SX Prestige yesterday. They started out with an offer $7500 over MSRP… really had to haggle to get it down. Still ended up overpaying but I have no regrets. I’m lovin it!
What I understand you can set it to toggle back to a default setting so that after you're done setting whatever you're setting it will automatically default back to whatever original choice you prefer to be at.
We purchased the Sportage Hybrid EX with the panoramic sunroof and could not be happier. The second row legroom is spacious and the cargo area is class leading. we are averaging around 37 mpg city/highway. We traded our 2018 Outback for this car and are pleasantly surprised. My wife loves the wheels on the EX trim level.
You can also just leave the center on the temperature controls , and use the steering wheel buttons to take care of the stereo. It does take some time to get used to using the wheel only, but it does work.
There is apparently a setting in the system to make it so it'll default/reset back to either Climate Control or Music Control after X amount of time...I read that in an EV6 thread somewhere so not sure where exactly
Being a pest Sportage owner we just bought a 2023 and think it’s the best one they’ve ever had. And the best looking car Kia has ever produced and that’s saying something since we also like the Telluride
I just bought a Sportage and I love it!! Its a hybrid. The look, drive, the mileage, all all the bells and whistles especially for a lower end hybrid, is incredible. Its a heavy and solid car too. Very, very happy.
I’m thinking of getting the normal hybrid as I’ve only driven older cars from the 00’s (I am young btw) what are the lane keep things like I’ve never had any of those fancy systems, is it fun to use on long highways because I have to do some big traveling for holidays.
@@wasteofspace9184 adaptive cruise is better than labe keeping if you have to choose. Lane keeping steers you back into the center of the lane when you get close to the line. I like AC and Lane departure. Sees other cars next to you.
@@wasteofspace9184 I would suggest you to take hybrid SX prestige. The phev made sense if there were tax credits. Without it the difference in cost doesn't amount to fuel savings in atleast 7 years of driving.let me know if you want more details
One of the very much better reviews (and I've watched a lot). I love the styling, and the tech. All it took for me to order one was a single test drive. Fab car all round.
Alex, FYI the bump on the door armrest is so you can grab if it is hard to reach the handle when the door is all the way open. Over 1k views in 46 minutes! This should be a huge seller IMO. When I see these on the road I think the front looks great. The Telluride looks kind of plain other than the old driving lights.
@@Sekkzc are you hearing specific to the 2023 Sportage/Tucson or are you hearing the super generic "me say Hyundai/Kia engines bad". There was a problem with one very specific engine (the 2.4L Theta engine) that was used in multiple vehicles for a time, so that ONE engine seemed like everything Hyundai/Kia was bad, but it was really just that one engine... if you didn't have that engine, you didn't have those engine problems. Also, Hyundai/Kia honored their warranties and fixed/replaced said engine. Nowhere in the current lineup of Hyundai/Kia vehicles is the 2.4L Theta engine being used anymore, including the current Tucson/Sportage... they have completely different engines that have had no known problems.
I've owned 3 Kia products in my lifetime and two of them were Sportages. The first iterations. They were build on a ladder frame construction. I loved them. I now own a 17 Soul Brownstone Edition and love it. It was loaded with great features that unfortunately are not being offered in their latest line ups. Both front and passenger seats are powered. Front and rear heated and heated steering wheel. I love that little car, but the gas mileage sucks! I am def interested in purchasing this version of the Sportage and hope that they will have the inventory to prevent backorders and backlogs.
Class-leading on all fronts, real AWD system, excellent fuel economy with a beautiful interior with more room than any vehicle in its class. And let's mention the 10-year bumper-to-bumper and battery warranty. Better price than the competition as well. The front end is sexy as hell, and the back end looks awesome as well.
I agree. We love it. We got the EX model one level up from the base. It has pretty much the same interior, same technology, but no moonroof, no 360° camera, and no ventilated seats-but the seats are perforated and fine in the summer. That price point and specs felt really good.
I just got the EX too. It is a very solid car, and it includes everything that is important. The sunroof would be nice, but I didn't want to spend the extra $4K for that options package. I just hope that the engine holds up over time. I've heard horror stories about their previous engine (Theta II).
I am a two time Sorento owner, but my goal is to own the 23 Sportage Hybrid EX by the end of the year. I actually like the styling, both inside and out.
I purchased my 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX prestige (Shadow Matte Grey/Carmine Red Interior) on May 5th. So a little over a month ago and I love it! Beautiful car, handles well, speeds up fast, quiet, love the dash screen, etc. I did get a ceramic wrap for the matte finish so we will see how it holds up. I do agree about the center controls for music and climate but you get use to it and I use the steering wheel toggles for music most of the time. I like the way the front looks! Anyways great review! Still learning everything about my car 😊
It may be worth a road trip to get one at MSRP or below. I took a flight to buy my sx prestige Sportage at MSRP and drove it 8 hours home. It was well worth it to me because the flight was about $100 one-way and I saved about $4,000.
Not worth it. These cars should still be on discount to accommodate all the extended warranty bs you gotta buy to make sure you can exit your loan solvent.
Back in the day they were bashing the fuel economy of the Ford C-max compared to Prius. But it was a much better car, worth the difference of a few mpg.
I've owned a 2022 Tucson hybrid. I love it.I drove Accords for 21 years but Honda didn't have the Hybrid ready for another year. I drove the RAV4, Escape and Tucson in about a 2-3 hr. stretch. This was a great way to test drive. No time to forget the feel. I recommend this approach. The Tucson had the best driving feel of all three and the best seating comfort for a 6'2" person.The entertainment system was better b far as well. I actually had a wow moment the minute I was seated and drove because it was noticeably better. I did like all three but the Tucson ticked almost all of the boxes but the gas mileage. At the time, there wasn't a lot of stock on any of the lots. They didn't raise he sticker price like the Ford dealer did. Also, it had features the others didn't have. I bought it the next morning.
I went on a waiting list for 5 months, but finally ended up with a 2023 Tucson Hybrid earlier this month. Very happy with the car (ecstatic really). It's just a great driving experience like nothing i've had in any car prior, and the tech and safety features are just amazing.
I appreciate Hyundai/Kia taking a shot on more risqué design. My Ioniq5 gets more (positive) attention than any vehicle I’ve ever driven. That said, when you take a gamble on anything, you win some and you lose some. This one, for me, is a loss. The front end is way, way too busy with too many conflicting designs. Regarding the matte finish paint, my Ioniq5 has the shooting star grey matte finish. It was a requirement for me when shopping for an Ioniq5 because it suits the retro-futuristic design of the car so well. I thought it looked excellent on the EV6 as well. That said, Hyundai/Kia refers to it as a “show car paint finish” and I agree with that assessment. Our car still looks as good as it did when it was brand new (with 12k miles on it now), but we also hand wash AND DRY the car using a specific matte finish paint. It never, ever goes through an automated car wash. Now, auto car washes damage any vehicle, that isn’t specific to a matte finish paint. The difference is that you can polish the swirls and scratches caused by the auto car wash (and wear and tear)out of a glossy paint finish, but you can’t on a matte paint finish. We’ve only had it for 6 months so it can’t comment on long term durability, but it doesn’t appear to be more or less delicate than a typical paint job (it is notably more durable than the black paint on our Tesla Model 3). That said, if your definition of keeping your car clean is running it through the scratch-o-matic car wash, a matte finish paint is probably not a good choice for you. I think the RAV4 eAWD system is actually a better system *in theory,* the biggest problem is their choice of battery. The undersized and underpowered NiMH battery they choose to use can’t send enough instantaneous power to the rear motor to make it that useful. If they used a lithium battery of maybe 2-3kWh and used a proper chemistry to allow it to put out maybe 40-50kw for a brief period (long enough to get you moving from a dead stop) that system would be way better. The motor on the rear axle is a far more simple and efficient design than a mechanical AWD system, Toyota’s execution of it is just poor.
This is a very nice design and it is a future vs the old boring look from all the other manufacturer. This is the best design ever made with Kia! I love it so I bought it. I think you need to have your eyes check. My vision is 20/20 and the Sportage looks awesome! If this doesn't look good then why are hundred of thousands are being sold and over 340,000 on baxk order? 🤔
Some people are stuck in the box on old design, and just simply need to realize it is ok to have stylish designs, we should want that, we should want seperation among brands and things that make brands stand out on their own. There is nothing wrong with wild styles, who wants boring, it's time to open your minds and be open to new styles.
Alex, the Sportage is MY "cup of tea." Telluride/Sorrento could be Ford products. Seltos is simply the outdated old-generation Sportage-look. Sportage/Niro turn heads.
@@mikewallace8087 Yes, but how often is that an issue? It's mostly for night, and it will be noticeable and illuminate what's behind you even lower down.
@@markmiller3279 I think the hybrids have the back up alert beep as well seems like that has become a EV,PHEV and HEV NHTSA rule (if they have electric only mode)
@@ddhsd It's because Hybrids tend to only be in EV mode while backing up, and EV mode is dead-silent... it's to avoid someone walking up or being taken by surprise of a silent vehicle slowing backing up into/over them. A regular gas car has all that engine noise, so it's not very stealthy when backing up.
I have a gravity gray one arriving in the next couple of weeks. which I have been anxiously waiting on. After watching your review, I am even more excited for it to arrive!
@@area51z63 Don't worry, the South Korean government is going to do wonders, if Kia's in danger of going out of business (which is very unlikely even with all the stuff that happened recently) :)
I just rode one, and I really thought the power was a lot better than the new CRV Hybrid, very peppy! I don't like the dual AC/Radio knob, but I guess I can get used to it. All good and I like I will get one, of course when one comes available.
Great video. I loved the charts comparing the different specs to similar competitors. Please do this for all the important specs you mention! (cargo space, size, etc)
Alex, one of the best coverage on this car but then again you usually are. Question and this might need relevant to your audience. I started with the Telluride but couldn't get over the mpg, then, realized this is our 2nd car and we have a big car to carry our clan of 6 so I don't need another one. I went down to looking at the Sorrento Hybrid to get way more mpg. While that seem to save money but get most features, I realized the 3 row feature is really 6 seating because of the captain chairs only in the Hybrid. So then I looked down to the Sportage and it has 2nd row bench seats so seating is 5, losing only 1 seat to the Sorrento. However the savings between these 2 is not as big as between the Sorrento and the Telluride (all comparing top trims). So which would you prefer - the Sorrento or the Sportage?
There is a fourth display choice called Dynamic. It does not have round simulated dials. It has a horizon view and the view is related to the time of day. It shows sunrise and sunset and everything in between. I like to use it on mine. Kinda fun!
I think it looks great. Daring and futuristic. And combined with the near premium cabin and state of the art tech and tons of space it’s definitely a worthy look This imo looks a lot better than the new crown and RX When it comes to grilled only Kia and Hyundai can overstyle the grilles but they do it in a clever way that looks futuristic and unique Also Alex yes youre the crazy one. Just like I find the Camry XSE gorgeous to look at but you find it really ugly. Plus many of us including my self don’t find the bmw beaver 🐽 grille attractive at all yet you find the bmw grille a good looking and no issues with it
The best thing about the Kia sportage is that it’s not a Toyota. You need to stop loving your cheap Camry XSE. No matter what my accord 2.0 will stomp on it and there’s nothing you can do about it 😂 The worst thing about the sportage is that it’s not quite to the level of polish the Honda CRV offers especially in driving dynamics and design. But man is Kia really really close
@@competitiveautomotive5457 because the engine is more modern than the Camrys. But the 2.0T isn't even close to the refinement and smoothness of the Camrys V6.
According to pretty much every reviewer, the crv behind the wheel feels more polished. Better handling better suspension and ride balance. It’s more well rounded than its rivals
I disagree with you on how the front end looks! I think it looks so good and sleek! And it seems there are a lot of people who think the same! I absolutely love my 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD with Red Leather seats with Gravity Gray paint! It also has the panoramic sun roof! It drives like a dream and I love the way it looks! Kia did amazing on the design of this car! ❤ The new 2024 Sportages are wireless and have Android and apple play. So it seems that was fixed for the 2024! I love I can set my phone down and it charges and I can play music from my phone without connecting them! I love driving it so much I find excuses to drive it! Lol 😂
I love how all these reviews seem to forget that there are steering wheel controls. They all talk about the hybrid radio climate controls like its the only option. I literally never touch that knob while driving cause of the controls on the wheel.
The Sportage design is polarizing, but I personally liked at first sight. But I wish they made it look like a Telluride because that is Kia's best design.
Is the Rav4 more reliable? I live in Canada and have heard that many Rav4's have issues with the electric cabling system for the hybrid. The cable connection area collects road dirt and moisture and fails. It is a significant expense to fix.
Pretty sure this will be my next car. I have a 2016 Sorento that I love except fuel economy. I feel this will give me the same comfort, techy feel, but better fuel economy. I will definitely be getting an ext. warranty tho. I will be honest and say as much as I love the Kia vehicles, they don’t have the reputation that Toyota has.
But considering the vast majority of new Toyotas are lackluster, the Kia risk is worth it imo I own a Toyota and I had Kia sedans on my list. I chose the Toyota for its v6. If it were turbo I would have gotten the Kia Hyundai or Honda
Reputation can follow a manufacturer even to vehicles that are nothing special. The current RAV4 had a number of reliability problems in its first couple of years, though I expect the hybrid drivetrain to be very durable, as that's something Toyota does very well. Overall, the RAV4 doesn't impress me much. The styling is blocky and graceless, trying to be tricky without being one. The interior materials feel functional, but look more Rubbermaid than Rolex. The back seat space is surprisingly limited, though big enough for normal adults, and the cargo space is nothing special. The CR-V is better in almost every way, and I'd choose either a Tucson or Sportage, roomier, with better tech, and much better values. We have a 2013 Elantra GT that has been a very fine car with no mechanical problems (we drive limited miles).
Great review as always Alex. KIA is really killing it these days and the Sportage Hybrid is one of the best cars in its class. We traded our Audi Q3 in on a Sportage Hybrid and no regrets.
I have looked at them pretty closely. You get a bit more power and up to 37 miles on the battery for some people. The downside is that with no tax credit the payback time is very long since the price difference is substantial. If the credit comes back it makes a ton of sense.
@@gregkramer5588 Thanks! Likely makes more sense in places with cheap electricity, if the commutes aren't too long. I suspect the battery takes up the area under the cargo floor, so no spare tire, and probably no way of lowering the load floor below the sill, as that's been true of other PHEV models. The cargo area would be still generous, just not as huge.
@@markmiller3279 Here is a rough way of looking at it. If you can get 30 miles a day average for 300 days a year that is 9k miles per year of EV range. If the ICE vehicle gets 30mpg that is 300 galleons per year. At $3.33 a galleon that is $1k per year savings. If the EV part is the 3 miles per kwh (9k miles) then we get 3000kwh at say $0.20 = $600. So $400 a year saving +- $100.
@@Ghost-jy9hk Gas mileage was the reason. After 36,000 miles in 15-mos @ 22.5 mpg, the increased gas prices were brutal. I love road trips & don't want to stop, so I chose to go hybrid. IMO, quality of the Sportage hybrid is superior to the Highlander which had noisy windows that leaked in Kansas rain storms, had overly bright headlights that annoyed other drivers, and cheap interior materials.
@@hollyhawx9481 this is actually a really enlightening comment and something I’ve been thinking about for awhile. I switched to Honda because everybody talked about how reliable it is and have had nothing but issues with my civic. The other Hondas I’ve been in have felt cheap, rattle and don’t have the features I want. I think it’s time to stop thinking about only buying Honda/Toyota for a lot of people and start considering other options like Kia. I’m excited to get a Sportage
@@Ghost-jy9hk I just remembered, the 6-speed transmission had a dead spot that caused it to lurch forward when punching the gas to pass, etc. I took the transmission and window issues to the Toyota warranty center, was told they were normal for Highlanders. 🤷♀️
Alex, you do a great job with your detailed reviews. I am surprised and disappointed that Kia only offers adaptive cruise control on the top SX-Prestige trim, especially when they offer it on all trims of many other models. And why not offer 2 wheel drive on all trims. With 44 EPA highway MPG, it would be a great road vehicle. And why aren't the Sportage hybrids and Tucson hybrids made in the U.S.? Google thinks they are, but the window stickers I have seen indicate they are both made in Korea.
The Rav4 Hybrid, or really any Rav4, simply doesn't drive very well. Pretty noise powertrain, and its ride is pretty mediocre If you would trade 3 MPG, for a better driving experience, this is the way to go
I like the styling, enough so that I bought one. As you say, it may not be to everyone's taste, but at least it doesn't look like every other mid size SUV out there.
Matte paint: I’ve owned two vehicles with matte paint, and for me (someone who always hand washes his vehicles) it’s a great feature and is in some ways better than glossy paint. For example, no polishing or waxing matte paint. However, it continues to surprise me that Kia and Hyundai offer it, because it cannot be put through a car wash, you must use soap and other products designed for matte paint, and repairing matte paint is very difficult. If you’re someone who like to hand wash and/or is happy paying someone else to do so, then I think matte paint looks great! If you’re someone who doesn’t want to take the time to hand wash and/or doesn’t want to pay someone else to do that, matte paint isn’t for you. It needs to be taken care of and neglect will mar the paint. And yes, it will start to get shiny if you use the wrong products or processes.
@@gregg5958 Indeed, that would make it more difficult. Maybe one of the non-automated car wash places could be used? Not sure if they’re also shutdown because okie dokie drought (though, I think they recycle water??)
I have heard that a ceramic coating helps alot. Can you speak to this? I am not someone who hand washes. Not sure if you use a ceramic coating what your washing options are.
I love the way the new Sportage looks. Definitely one of the best looking vehicles out there, in my opinion.
I just bought this same car sx pres. hybrid but I cannot figure out why my headliner is off white when this one is black? could it be the red interior? Mine is black interior but the headliner is white drives me nuts. Also for anyone that owns one. If you want the front end toned down a tad bit. That top silver piece on the grill can be covered in a gloss black ABS plastic cover sold from Korea on Ebay for 100$ it really makes the car look better and not so busy. I left all the bottom silver stuff alone. I love the Matte paint.
The model types have a few differences as you go up in model and price. You should have factory ordered it and you could have designed it every which way you wanted with all the options this vehicle offers. I’m just waiting for the new anti price gauging regulations to take affect after the new year and I’m ordering one from Kia itself an not a dealer.
@@Liquidnightmare Ordering direct from Kia is not happening..you can order one but it will be through the dealer network.
Not even close.
The front end styling is on the busy side, but overall, I like the design.
I don’t think anyone is judging the Sportage styling now that the K4 has gone on sale. 🤮
Holy crap, with the handling (compared to others in class), the quiet interior, and the excellent fuel economy this may just be the replacement for our Crosstrek.
Same here. Never thought I’d get a Kia but I’m hearing nice things about them lately
Good ground clearance in the Kia too. Almost as high as a Subaru.
Try it. You will LOVE this vastly larger car.
Look into their dealership service centers where you live before you commit. General consensus is that they're awful.
LOL and the oil burning garbage engines
Very good video and review. A couple of comments, first, I think the front end is the best looking of any car on the road. I think it is so unique and just awesome looking. Second, I've had mine for about two months, a sportage hybrid, SX prestige, and I love it, and I'm getting about 41 miles to the gallon and it is the all wheel drive.. I know it says 38 miles to the gallon, but I get much better, mileage is fantastic. Best car I've ever purchased.
I don't see any information out there on the length of the cargo area with the back seats down. Can you tell me how long it is to the back of the drivers seat?
you must drive v slow because mine doesn’t get over 35pmg on most trips
I've had my 2023 Sportage Hybrid for about a month now and I LOVE IT! It is great on the road: quiet, handles well, good acceleration and braking. The dual mode heat/media buttons do take getting used but it's fine after a while. You get used to using the steering wheel components for everything anyway. Nothing beats the display. Everyone who gets in my car comments on the screen. I still haven't learned all the tech features....but that is a process I really love. The features are mostly intuitive. Prior to this I had a 2018 CRV and I loved that car. I thought about getting a 2023 CRV but loved the looks of the Sportage. I was tired of driving the most popular small SUV...CRV and RAVs are everywhere and that gets boring. So far, no complaints...I highly recommend!
I love it. It's bold, fresh. Interior is great.
I have the black SX Prestige Hybrid. So far I love it. I disagree with you about the front end. I love the look. However, I do agree with you about the dual function climate radio controls. It can get confusing. What I do is try to use the steering wheel controls for the radio and the control panel for the climate. That makes it much easier.
Sensible. Then it only needs to be switched if the passenger is controlling the music, and if they're well trained they'll return it to climate settings. One thing that never get mentioned is that the four controls closest to the left knob always stay the same, and those control important features like front and rear defrost. I don't mess with the temperature much in cars with automatic climate control, so could easily leave the panel on infotainment, needing just those buttons that don't change. I'm more bothered by that surface being completely smooth. I think they should have at least put some bumps or a raised bit for the 'buttons' that switch between functions, and maybe also those switches that don't change.
I also have it set so that if I do need to get to the radio controls, it will default back to the climate controls.
I agree! The front looks amazing... Hey btw, did dealership sell you SX-prestige for the sticker price? How much more 💵can we expect? I'm planning to but one soon...
@@SuperMan-nk3td I managed to get my hands on the hybrid SX Prestige yesterday. They started out with an offer $7500 over MSRP… really had to haggle to get it down. Still ended up overpaying but I have no regrets. I’m lovin it!
What I understand you can set it to toggle back to a default setting so that after you're done setting whatever you're setting it will automatically default back to whatever original choice you prefer to be at.
We purchased the Sportage Hybrid EX with the panoramic sunroof and could not be happier. The second row legroom is spacious and the cargo area is class leading. we are averaging around 37 mpg city/highway. We traded our 2018 Outback for this car and are pleasantly surprised. My wife loves the wheels on the EX trim level.
This Sportage is really a great looking SUV! Maybe it will grow on you, Alex!
Yea it looks smashing!!
You can also just leave the center on the temperature controls , and use the steering wheel buttons to take care of the stereo. It does take some time to get used to using the wheel only, but it does work.
There is apparently a setting in the system to make it so it'll default/reset back to either Climate Control or Music Control after X amount of time...I read that in an EV6 thread somewhere so not sure where exactly
Being a pest Sportage owner we just bought a 2023 and think it’s the best one they’ve ever had. And the best looking car Kia has ever produced and that’s saying something since we also like the Telluride
I just bought a Sportage and I love it!! Its a hybrid. The look, drive, the mileage, all all the bells and whistles especially for a lower end hybrid, is incredible. Its a heavy and solid car too. Very, very happy.
I have the sportage phev and love it. I'm able to get 38 miles electric only . I also love the feeling of a 6spd auto vs an e-cvt like the competition
I’m thinking of getting the normal hybrid as I’ve only driven older cars from the 00’s (I am young btw) what are the lane keep things like I’ve never had any of those fancy systems, is it fun to use on long highways because I have to do some big traveling for holidays.
@@wasteofspace9184 adaptive cruise is better than labe keeping if you have to choose. Lane keeping steers you back into the center of the lane when you get close to the line. I like AC and Lane departure. Sees other cars next to you.
@@thereissomecoolstuff thanks dude!
@@wasteofspace9184 I would suggest you to take hybrid SX prestige. The phev made sense if there were tax credits. Without it the difference in cost doesn't amount to fuel savings in atleast 7 years of driving.let me know if you want more details
Does it have adjustable regen settings like Niro?
One of the very much better reviews (and I've watched a lot). I love the styling, and the tech. All it took for me to order one was a single test drive. Fab car all round.
Alex, FYI the bump on the door armrest is so you can grab if it is hard to reach the handle when the door is all the way open. Over 1k views in 46 minutes! This should be a huge seller IMO. When I see these on the road I think the front looks great. The Telluride looks kind of plain other than the old driving lights.
That could be very useful - especially if the doors can open as wide as most recent Hyundai and Kia models (a feature I think I'd like).
My very first hybrid SUV!! Nice video Alex.
Love the front end styling, it's what drew me to the Sportage to begin with.
I do NOT need my eyes checked Alex. I think it looks fantastic as is and this will probably be my next car.
I have a black one and get a lot of compliments. I really like it. Everything you said about ride and performance is spot on. Great job on the review.
My Neighbors have a Blue Sportage Hybrid and I Like it. I have a White Tucson Hybrid and She likes mine. Both of Us have Black cloth interiors.
how’s the reliability on it been so far? i’ve been hearing not so good things ab the engine/transmission.
@@Sekkzc so far it has been very reliable.
@@Sekkzc are you hearing specific to the 2023 Sportage/Tucson or are you hearing the super generic "me say Hyundai/Kia engines bad". There was a problem with one very specific engine (the 2.4L Theta engine) that was used in multiple vehicles for a time, so that ONE engine seemed like everything Hyundai/Kia was bad, but it was really just that one engine... if you didn't have that engine, you didn't have those engine problems. Also, Hyundai/Kia honored their warranties and fixed/replaced said engine. Nowhere in the current lineup of Hyundai/Kia vehicles is the 2.4L Theta engine being used anymore, including the current Tucson/Sportage... they have completely different engines that have had no known problems.
I like the design, exterior, interior, and especially the dual digital dash display.
I like that it has a real transmission.
YOU ARE THE CRAZY ONE. It's gorgeous!!
I've owned 3 Kia products in my lifetime and two of them were Sportages. The first iterations. They were build on a ladder frame construction. I loved them. I now own a 17 Soul Brownstone Edition and love it. It was loaded with great features that unfortunately are not being offered in their latest line ups. Both front and passenger seats are powered. Front and rear heated and heated steering wheel. I love that little car, but the gas mileage sucks! I am def interested in purchasing this version of the Sportage and hope that they will have the inventory to prevent backorders and backlogs.
Class-leading on all fronts, real AWD system, excellent fuel economy with a beautiful interior with more room than any vehicle in its class. And let's mention the 10-year bumper-to-bumper and battery warranty. Better price than the competition as well. The front end is sexy as hell, and the back end looks awesome as well.
Alex, you're the best reviewer out there! Nobody comes close to you in crisply conveying relevant information. Love it.
I agree. We love it. We got the EX model one level up from the base. It has pretty much the same interior, same technology, but no moonroof, no 360° camera, and no ventilated seats-but the seats are perforated and fine in the summer. That price point and specs felt really good.
I just got the EX too. It is a very solid car, and it includes everything that is important. The sunroof would be nice, but I didn't want to spend the extra $4K for that options package. I just hope that the engine holds up over time. I've heard horror stories about their previous engine (Theta II).
I am a two time Sorento owner, but my goal is to own the 23 Sportage Hybrid EX by the end of the year. I actually like the styling, both inside and out.
*For the instrument cluster, you can set which you'duse most to default , media or climate, and it will change to the default after a few seconds*
I purchased my 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX prestige (Shadow Matte Grey/Carmine Red Interior) on May 5th. So a little over a month ago and I love it! Beautiful car, handles well, speeds up fast, quiet, love the dash screen, etc. I did get a ceramic wrap for the matte finish so we will see how it holds up. I do agree about the center controls for music and climate but you get use to it and I use the steering wheel toggles for music most of the time. I like the way the front looks! Anyways great review! Still learning everything about my car 😊
Love the styling on the sportage. It's different and draws the eye in the right way.
As of Nov 2022, the markup on Sportage Hybrids at local dealerships in California is $7,000 - $9,800
In Seattle, around 8k :(
Wow.
It may be worth a road trip to get one at MSRP or below. I took a flight to buy my sx prestige Sportage at MSRP and drove it 8 hours home. It was well worth it to me because the flight was about $100 one-way and I saved about $4,000.
Not worth it. These cars should still be on discount to accommodate all the extended warranty bs you gotta buy to make sure you can exit your loan solvent.
@@rajatdixit007 i paid 47,500 on my phev here in washington, puyallup
love the front, back, side, inside. The whole caboose.
I love the front end style. It's what peaked my interest.
I love it, it's just so out there and different from everything else
Back in the day they were bashing the fuel economy of the Ford C-max compared to Prius. But it was a much better car, worth the difference of a few mpg.
I've owned a 2022 Tucson hybrid. I love it.I drove Accords for 21 years but Honda didn't have the Hybrid ready for another year. I drove the RAV4, Escape and Tucson in about a 2-3 hr. stretch. This was a great way to test drive. No time to forget the feel. I recommend this approach. The Tucson had the best driving feel of all three and the best seating comfort for a 6'2" person.The entertainment system was better b far as well. I actually had a wow moment the minute I was seated and drove because it was noticeably better. I did like all three but the Tucson ticked almost all of the boxes but the gas mileage. At the time, there wasn't a lot of stock on any of the lots. They didn't raise he sticker price like the Ford dealer did. Also, it had features the others didn't have. I bought it the next morning.
When was this and how is it holding up so far?
I am torn beween these 3 - CRV Hybrid, Tucson Hybrid and Sportage Hybrid. Can't make up my mind easily.
I went on a waiting list for 5 months, but finally ended up with a 2023 Tucson Hybrid earlier this month. Very happy with the car (ecstatic really). It's just a great driving experience like nothing i've had in any car prior, and the tech and safety features are just amazing.
I love the four window video work you do whilst driving. Adds to both the entertainment and the information.
I saw that the video's length is 20:23! I love how this Sportage Hybrid as well as how the sister Tucson Hybrid/PHEV look like.
I appreciate Hyundai/Kia taking a shot on more risqué design. My Ioniq5 gets more (positive) attention than any vehicle I’ve ever driven. That said, when you take a gamble on anything, you win some and you lose some. This one, for me, is a loss. The front end is way, way too busy with too many conflicting designs.
Regarding the matte finish paint, my Ioniq5 has the shooting star grey matte finish. It was a requirement for me when shopping for an Ioniq5 because it suits the retro-futuristic design of the car so well. I thought it looked excellent on the EV6 as well. That said, Hyundai/Kia refers to it as a “show car paint finish” and I agree with that assessment. Our car still looks as good as it did when it was brand new (with 12k miles on it now), but we also hand wash AND DRY the car using a specific matte finish paint. It never, ever goes through an automated car wash. Now, auto car washes damage any vehicle, that isn’t specific to a matte finish paint. The difference is that you can polish the swirls and scratches caused by the auto car wash (and wear and tear)out of a glossy paint finish, but you can’t on a matte paint finish. We’ve only had it for 6 months so it can’t comment on long term durability, but it doesn’t appear to be more or less delicate than a typical paint job (it is notably more durable than the black paint on our Tesla Model 3). That said, if your definition of keeping your car clean is running it through the scratch-o-matic car wash, a matte finish paint is probably not a good choice for you.
I think the RAV4 eAWD system is actually a better system *in theory,* the biggest problem is their choice of battery. The undersized and underpowered NiMH battery they choose to use can’t send enough instantaneous power to the rear motor to make it that useful. If they used a lithium battery of maybe 2-3kWh and used a proper chemistry to allow it to put out maybe 40-50kw for a brief period (long enough to get you moving from a dead stop) that system would be way better. The motor on the rear axle is a far more simple and efficient design than a mechanical AWD system, Toyota’s execution of it is just poor.
This is a very nice design and it is a future vs the old boring look from all the other manufacturer. This is the best design ever made with Kia! I love it so I bought it. I think you need to have your eyes check. My vision is 20/20 and the Sportage looks awesome! If this doesn't look good then why are hundred of thousands are being sold and over 340,000 on baxk order? 🤔
Some people are stuck in the box on old design, and just simply need to realize it is ok to have stylish designs, we should want that, we should want seperation among brands and things that make brands stand out on their own. There is nothing wrong with wild styles, who wants boring, it's time to open your minds and be open to new styles.
I totally agree, and I think this looks great! So great, in fact, that I just bought the EX trim of the Sportage this week. Love it!
beg to differ, i find the design modern and good looking
I rarely see straight A's! Great review Alex and a great car indeed.
Thanks for the review guys! You've been very helpful for choosing my next car!
The looks is absolutely amazing
Alex, the Sportage is MY "cup of tea." Telluride/Sorrento could be Ford products. Seltos is simply the outdated old-generation Sportage-look. Sportage/Niro turn heads.
Finally, turn signals where they belong!
How about the back up light? It seems low and small. ??
@@mikewallace8087 Yes, but how often is that an issue? It's mostly for night, and it will be noticeable and illuminate what's behind you even lower down.
Unlike the Tucson
@@markmiller3279 I think the hybrids have the back up alert beep as well seems like that has become a EV,PHEV and HEV NHTSA rule (if they have electric only mode)
@@ddhsd It's because Hybrids tend to only be in EV mode while backing up, and EV mode is dead-silent... it's to avoid someone walking up or being taken by surprise of a silent vehicle slowing backing up into/over them. A regular gas car has all that engine noise, so it's not very stealthy when backing up.
One of the best looking Kia vehicles in my opinion!
I have Lx hybrid 2023 20 k miles in year love it so far
I have a gravity gray one arriving in the next couple of weeks. which I have been anxiously waiting on. After watching your review, I am even more excited for it to arrive!
When did you order it? We ordered one on Aug 10th and haven't heard anything.
I like the way it looks, especially the side and rear views. I can live with the front end even tho it is a little busy.
Looks good. Kia always never seem to fail on producing newer models.
Kia is two billion dollars in the hole because of krappy engines, so seriously wake up kid
@@area51z63 Don't worry, the South Korean government is going to do wonders, if Kia's in danger of going out of business (which is very unlikely even with all the stuff that happened recently) :)
@@dinohermann1887 Why would I worry about krappy Korean cars
I like the compact exterior and big interior designs. I don’t know why so many SUVs are going long hood and short and short back seat seats route.
The only manufacturer obsessed with long hoods imho is Mazda.
I like the styling, including the hood and front grill. Nice car and good combination of features and price.
You are the crazy one. I love the styling of the front. That’s what drew me at first glance to want to buy this vehicle
Just ordered one, he said it will be here in 2-3 months. I'm so freaking excited!
I just rode one, and I really thought the power was a lot better than the new CRV Hybrid, very peppy! I don't like the dual AC/Radio knob, but I guess I can get used to it. All good and I like I will get one, of course when one comes available.
For the combined controls, you can set the default to environment. Set the buttons on your steering wheel to run media. It works great.
I agree, a lot going on BUT, I like the design. Nothing like it. They took design risks and it works in my opinion.
Great video. I loved the charts comparing the different specs to similar competitors. Please do this for all the important specs you mention! (cargo space, size, etc)
Alex, one of the best coverage on this car but then again you usually are. Question and this might need relevant to your audience. I started with the Telluride but couldn't get over the mpg, then, realized this is our 2nd car and we have a big car to carry our clan of 6 so I don't need another one. I went down to looking at the Sorrento Hybrid to get way more mpg. While that seem to save money but get most features, I realized the 3 row feature is really 6 seating because of the captain chairs only in the Hybrid. So then I looked down to the Sportage and it has 2nd row bench seats so seating is 5, losing only 1 seat to the Sorrento. However the savings between these 2 is not as big as between the Sorrento and the Telluride (all comparing top trims). So which would you prefer - the Sorrento or the Sportage?
I love love love the front end design, sorry Alex
Thanks! Very good job! May God Bless you and your family!!!
You are the crazy one. This car look is fantastic
Love the looks. Much better than previous.
I definitely like that front. It looks different
There is a fourth display choice called Dynamic. It does not have round simulated dials. It has a horizon view and the view is related to the time of day. It shows sunrise and sunset and everything in between. I like to use it on mine. Kinda fun!
I think it looks great. Daring and futuristic. And combined with the near premium cabin and state of the art tech and tons of space it’s definitely a worthy look
This imo looks a lot better than the new crown and RX
When it comes to grilled only Kia and Hyundai can overstyle the grilles but they do it in a clever way that looks futuristic and unique
Also Alex yes youre the crazy one. Just like I find the Camry XSE gorgeous to look at but you find it really ugly. Plus many of us including my self don’t find the bmw beaver 🐽 grille attractive at all yet you find the bmw grille a good looking and no issues with it
If it makes you happy, okay.
The best thing about the Kia sportage is that it’s not a Toyota. You need to stop loving your cheap Camry XSE. No matter what my accord 2.0 will stomp on it and there’s nothing you can do about it 😂
The worst thing about the sportage is that it’s not quite to the level of polish the Honda CRV offers especially in driving dynamics and design. But man is Kia really really close
@@competitiveautomotive5457 everyone says the new CR-V has a lot of road noise. It isn’t as polished as a Tucson, Sportage, or CX-5.
@@competitiveautomotive5457 because the engine is more modern than the Camrys. But the 2.0T isn't even close to the refinement and smoothness of the Camrys V6.
According to pretty much every reviewer, the crv behind the wheel feels more polished. Better handling better suspension and ride balance. It’s more well rounded than its rivals
You can also slide a tablet in that piece on the back of the head rest, which the USB charger in the seat works perfect for that purpose.
It looks good.
I think that piece, that kinda sticks up, on the door is to grab the door easier, to close it, when it's all the way open.
This is a type of exotic look that grows on you. The Hyundai one looked great too but I chose sportage hybrid.
Love the front end. Very Star Trek.
Like always Alex excellent review ! ☺️👍
Ironically, I bought my wife a 2.5L, 8-shift gas-powered Sportage, and we're getting 38-42 mpg on the highway, and 28-30, city driving!!!
i own this car and yea...a lot of ppl love the design (to my surprise a well)
I disagree with you on how the front end looks! I think it looks so good and sleek! And it seems there are a lot of people who think the same! I absolutely love my 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD with Red Leather seats with Gravity Gray paint! It also has the panoramic sun roof! It drives like a dream and I love the way it looks! Kia did amazing on the design of this car! ❤ The new 2024 Sportages are wireless and have Android and apple play. So it seems that was fixed for the 2024! I love I can set my phone down and it charges and I can play music from my phone without connecting them! I love driving it so much I find excuses to drive it! Lol 😂
I love how all these reviews seem to forget that there are steering wheel controls. They all talk about the hybrid radio climate controls like its the only option. I literally never touch that knob while driving cause of the controls on the wheel.
The Sportage design is polarizing, but I personally liked at first sight. But I wish they made it look like a Telluride because that is Kia's best design.
No, I'm glad this Sportage has it own identity! We don't need a small copy and paste Telluride.
Tow rating available?
Telluride and Seltos are stodgy, and this front-end is very nice and forward-looking. So yes, Alex, you're wrong. lol.
Alex - I'm dying for you to do a full week review at home with the Mazda CX-50!!
Is the Rav4 more reliable? I live in Canada and have heard that many Rav4's have issues with the electric cabling system for the hybrid. The cable connection area collects road dirt and moisture and fails. It is a significant expense to fix.
Love the style of the new sportage, exterior and exterior!
Thanks can’t find any mentioned models available.
Pretty sure this will be my next car. I have a 2016 Sorento that I love except fuel economy. I feel this will give me the same comfort, techy feel, but better fuel economy. I will definitely be getting an ext. warranty tho. I will be honest and say as much as I love the Kia vehicles, they don’t have the reputation that Toyota has.
But considering the vast majority of new Toyotas are lackluster, the Kia risk is worth it imo
I own a Toyota and I had Kia sedans on my list. I chose the Toyota for its v6. If it were turbo I would have gotten the Kia Hyundai or Honda
Reputation can follow a manufacturer even to vehicles that are nothing special. The current RAV4 had a number of reliability problems in its first couple of years, though I expect the hybrid drivetrain to be very durable, as that's something Toyota does very well. Overall, the RAV4 doesn't impress me much. The styling is blocky and graceless, trying to be tricky without being one. The interior materials feel functional, but look more Rubbermaid than Rolex. The back seat space is surprisingly limited, though big enough for normal adults, and the cargo space is nothing special. The CR-V is better in almost every way, and I'd choose either a Tucson or Sportage, roomier, with better tech, and much better values. We have a 2013 Elantra GT that has been a very fine car with no mechanical problems (we drive limited miles).
Great review as always Alex. KIA is really killing it these days and the Sportage Hybrid is one of the best cars in its class. We traded our Audi Q3 in on a Sportage Hybrid and no regrets.
Style is legit on this Sportage
Good review. Thanks
I wish Alex mentioned the phev. I would like to know how it compares to the non plug in.
I have looked at them pretty closely. You get a bit more power and up to 37 miles on the battery for some people. The downside is that with no tax credit the payback time is very long since the price difference is substantial. If the credit comes back it makes a ton of sense.
@@gregkramer5588 Thanks! Likely makes more sense in places with cheap electricity, if the commutes aren't too long. I suspect the battery takes up the area under the cargo floor, so no spare tire, and probably no way of lowering the load floor below the sill, as that's been true of other PHEV models. The cargo area would be still generous, just not as huge.
@@markmiller3279 Here is a rough way of looking at it. If you can get 30 miles a day average for 300 days a year that is 9k miles per year of EV range. If the ICE vehicle gets 30mpg that is 300 galleons per year. At $3.33 a galleon that is $1k per year savings. If the EV part is the 3 miles per kwh (9k miles) then we get 3000kwh at say $0.20 = $600. So $400 a year saving +- $100.
I now have 6200-miles on my Sportage hybrid and absolutely love it! I far prefer it over the 2021 Toyota Highlander I had previously. 👍
What made you get rid of your Highlander since it was so new?
I believe you 🤔
@@Ghost-jy9hk Gas mileage was the reason. After 36,000 miles in 15-mos @ 22.5 mpg, the increased gas prices were brutal. I love road trips & don't want to stop, so I chose to go hybrid.
IMO, quality of the Sportage hybrid is superior to the Highlander which had noisy windows that leaked in Kansas rain storms, had overly bright headlights that annoyed other drivers, and cheap interior materials.
@@hollyhawx9481 this is actually a really enlightening comment and something I’ve been thinking about for awhile. I switched to Honda because everybody talked about how reliable it is and have had nothing but issues with my civic. The other Hondas I’ve been in have felt cheap, rattle and don’t have the features I want. I think it’s time to stop thinking about only buying Honda/Toyota for a lot of people and start considering other options like Kia. I’m excited to get a Sportage
@@Ghost-jy9hk I just remembered, the 6-speed transmission had a dead spot that caused it to lurch forward when punching the gas to pass, etc. I took the transmission and window issues to the Toyota warranty center, was told they were normal for Highlanders. 🤷♀️
Sportage is practical, efficiency, reliable (5yr bum to bum) & looks like the PREDATOR. I'm sold.
Alex, you do a great job with your detailed reviews. I am surprised and disappointed that Kia only offers adaptive cruise control on the top SX-Prestige trim, especially when they offer it on all trims of many other models. And why not offer 2 wheel drive on all trims. With 44 EPA highway MPG, it would be a great road vehicle. And why aren't the Sportage hybrids and Tucson hybrids made in the U.S.? Google thinks they are, but the window stickers I have seen indicate they are both made in Korea.
Love the way it looks!! Question wouldn’t the X Pro be more suitable if you in the mountains as I do or should I be fine with the Sx?
The Rav4 Hybrid, or really any Rav4, simply doesn't drive very well.
Pretty noise powertrain, and its ride is pretty mediocre
If you would trade 3 MPG, for a better driving experience, this is the way to go
I like the styling, enough so that I bought one. As you say, it may not be to everyone's taste, but at least it doesn't look like every other mid size SUV out there.
I chose the 2023 Tucson because it makes the Sportage look boring and normal.
Is it just me, or are there others out there who don't find the Telluride attractive?
I'm with you. I am really interested in the Sportage but I can't get past the boomerang crazy front
its literally the best kia ever from design perspective :D
Matte paint: I’ve owned two vehicles with matte paint, and for me (someone who always hand washes his vehicles) it’s a great feature and is in some ways better than glossy paint. For example, no polishing or waxing matte paint. However, it continues to surprise me that Kia and Hyundai offer it, because it cannot be put through a car wash, you must use soap and other products designed for matte paint, and repairing matte paint is very difficult. If you’re someone who like to hand wash and/or is happy paying someone else to do so, then I think matte paint looks great! If you’re someone who doesn’t want to take the time to hand wash and/or doesn’t want to pay someone else to do that, matte paint isn’t for you. It needs to be taken care of and neglect will mar the paint. And yes, it will start to get shiny if you use the wrong products or processes.
Some places subjected to drought conditions, you can’t even wash your car in your driveway. So that would definitely be a problem.
@@gregg5958 Indeed, that would make it more difficult. Maybe one of the non-automated car wash places could be used? Not sure if they’re also shutdown because okie dokie drought (though, I think they recycle water??)
@@davidc-l9174 Yeah those self serve hand wash stalls might be okay. I assume they recycle water the way a full service car wash does.
I have heard that a ceramic coating helps alot. Can you speak to this? I am not someone who hand washes. Not sure if you use a ceramic coating what your washing options are.
@@jherstein Ceramic coatings are a good stopgap measure, but using automated car washes will cause the coatings to wear off sooner.
Thanks for the full review I was waiting for it.