2023 Kia Sportage | First Look

For the latest Kia Sportage pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/kia/sportage/


What you’re looking at is the all-new 2023 Kia Sportage. And there is a lot to know. But first, Kia is making a big stylistic swing with the Sportage. Those v-shaped front lighting elements, the Kia Stinger-esque taillight treatment, the lower black trim that slyly slims the profile.


As tends to happen in the automotive world, the 5th generation Sportage, which rides on the same platform as the larger Kia Sorento, has grown larger than the previous Sportage.

It’s 7.1-inches longer overall with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. Sportage gen 5 is also taller and wider, with what Kia claims is class-leading rear legroom and best-in-class cargo space.


In front, the interior’s style feels a little more restrained than its exterior but there are interesting details. Namely this touchpad and these knobs. They actually function as either climate or audio controls depending on what you need to adjust.

Another area of interest is the Infotainment zone. This particular Sportage has the dual 12.3-inch curved display setup that’s reserved for the highest trims. That is a lot of screen real estate.

An 8-inch screen comes standard but move up from the base LX trim and the center screen expands to Kia’s 12.25-inch unit.

Regardless of trim Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.

Moving onto powertrains, the standard mill is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, likely making 187 horsepower. Fuel economy numbers haven’t been announced but Kia expects an 8% improvement which would put a front-drive Sportage at about 28mpg combined. For even great fuel economy, hybrid and a plug-in hybrid will join the Sportage roster a little down the road. And, as you’d expect, front-wheel drive comes standard while all-wheel drive is optional.

Take note, ground clearance fans. Choosing all-wheel drive bumps up ground clearance by 1.5-inches.

On that note, if you’ve ever longed for a more rugged Kia Sportage. Prepare to rejoice.

In addition to the Sportage X-Line trim, which simply looks kinda rugged there is now a Sportage X-Pro trim which actually is kinda rugged.

To facilitate grander adventures, the X-Pro includes standard all-wheel drive, B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires mounted to 17-inch black wheels along with LED fog lights and 4 drive modes.

Though none of those modes seem focused on off-road conditions (Normal, Sport, Smart, and Snow).


Ok, there isn’t a dedicated mud-and-ruts setting but Kia personnel noted that the X-Pro’s drive modes are specifically tuned to work with its all-terrain tire, helping grant the X-Pro slightly greater accessibility to the unpaved world.


As for equipment, the standard roster will include collision warning and braking assistance with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, plus a lane-keeping assist, and rear parking sensors.

You can also tack on a 360-degree camera system, a blind spot camera shown in the gauge cluster, and full-speed dynamic cruise control.


There’s a lot we don’t know including pricing and the nitty gritty details on the hybrid versions. But I can tell you that the Kia Sportage will go on sale in the US in the first quarter of 2022. Welcome to the future.

00:00 2023 Kia Sportage
0:40 Exterior
1:07 Interior
2:50 Engine
4:38 Driving Impressions
6:50 Competitors