- Plenty of standard features
- Well-appointed cabin
- All-wheel drive is standard
- Power & fuel economy
- Great warranties
- Pricing starts at $38,490 (plus $1,295 destination charge) | Price yours
- On sale now | See listings near you
Launched this year, the 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid compact SUV takes the Best Buy honors for its class. There are many reasons why, which illustrates how well-rounded the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is as a package.
Before we get into those main reasons, we’re going to share a little detail. Imagine the audio system blasting out Beyoncé or Bach or bluegrass or whatever. Then suppose there’s some maneuvering to be done. Click the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid into reverse gear, and the sound system drops in volume automatically, so the driver can concentrate a little better.
Such a thoughtful touch wouldn’t be surprising in something like a Volvo or a Mercedes-Benz. But this is a Kia, and a Volvo XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid costs almost $19,000 more. We think this is a good indication of Kia’s increasing sophistication.
Inside Lines
Anyone wanting more evidence of Kia’s upward mobility need only step into the cabin of the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. The two trim levels offered, X-Line and X-Line Prestige, are exceptionally well-appointed and similar to the top trims of the regular non-hybrid Sportage compact SUV.
The first thing we noticed was how rich the simulated leather feels. Thick and high-quality, perceptibly nicer than the thin stuff in some rivals.
We often talk about Kia interior designs looking like they could belong in a luxury vehicle. The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid reinforces that argument. Not just because of the one-piece digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen unit (although this arrangement is often seen in BMW and Mercedes-Benz products), but also things like the shapes of the door handles and air vents.
Everything seems put together just as well as in any luxury SUV. The wood trim couldn’t be any smoother, and the upholstery’s stitching couldn’t be any better.
Economy Class
Time to focus on this compact SUV’s reason for existence. A plug-in hybrid has a bigger battery than regular hybrids (we all know what a Toyota Prius is by now, yes?), which can be replenished by plugging into an outside charger and giving the vehicle the ability to cover a decent distance using electric power alone.
For this reason, the usual terminology is plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV. Kia states that the 2023 Sportage PHEV can run for 34 miles before the gasoline engine has to kick in. That’s not the best in the class. The Toyota RAV4 Prime (last year’s winner) has a range of 42 miles. But like we said, the Sportage PHEV wins this time around for its combination of talents, not just one aspect.
Working on the assumption that the average distance driven each day is 35 miles, the Sportage PHEV could operate almost solely as an electric vehicle if it was recharged every night. And the gasoline engine is there as a backup if necessary. Visits to gas stations will be infrequent.
With those 34 miles factored in, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts combined fuel economy (55 percent city driving, 45 percent on the highway) at 84 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). With a full tank and a full battery, the 2023 Sportage PHEV has an estimated range of 430 miles. When operating as a conventional hybrid, fuel economy is a still-respectable 35 mpg combined.
Equipped for Success
Although it’s the most affordable version of the 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, the X-Line trim still has a lot of standard equipment. This includes all-wheel drive, a panoramic sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry/start, wireless charging, and three USB-C ports.
Among the driver assistance features are forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors.
On the subject of safety, the Sportage has a maximum 5-star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Driven to Cheers
If focusing on excellent fuel economy and value for money seems like we’re working up to a “but it’s boring to drive” twist, the opposite is true. We really enjoy driving the 2023 Sportage PHEV.
Of course we would. It has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and a pair of electric motors working to produce a total of 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Electric motors deliver their thrust quickly and easily, so the Sportage PHEV wastes no time moving off from a standstill.
The ride quality is another asset, driving an ideal line that threads between comfort, composure, and precision.
Another way the Sportage PHEV differs from its combustion-only cousin is the lack of a conventional shift lever. The PHEV’s rotary control feels sufficiently intuitive, though.
Follow the Money
The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid starts at $38,490. That’s for the X-Line, which has all-wheel drive as standard. The X-Line Prestige is $42,990. These prices are in the same ballpark as rival compact SUVs with PHEV drivetrains.
There might be some state incentives to soften the blow. For example, the California Clean Vehicle Rebate program gives $1,000 to anyone who buys or leases a new Sportage PHEV. New York has a similar scheme, offering $500.
Along with sister company Hyundai, Kia offers unbeatable warranties. New-vehicle coverage is for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first (most rivals offer 3 years/36,000 miles). And the powertrain warranty lasts 10 years or 100,000 miles.
With all these things in the 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s favor, it really didn’t take long for us to decide on the 2023 Best Buy winner in the PHEV category.
Photo Tour: 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
More 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
- Read our full review
- Build and price your own
- Browse listings near you
Our 2023 Best Buy Award Winners
- Best New Model: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best Subcompact SUV: 2023 Kia Seltos
- Best Compact SUV: 2023 Honda CR-V
- Best 2-Row Midsize SUV: 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
- Best 3-Row Midsize SUV: 2023 Kia Telluride
- Best Full-Size SUV: 2023 Ford Expedition
- Best Subcompact Luxury SUV: 2023 BMW X1
- Best Compact Luxury SUV: 2023 Genesis GV70
- Best Midsize Luxury SUV: 2023 Genesis GV80
- Best Compact Car: 2023 Honda Civic
- Best Midsize Car: 2023 Honda Accord
- Best Luxury Car: 2023 Lexus ES
- Best EV Under $35,000: 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
- Best Electric Vehicle: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best Compact Truck: 2023 Ford Maverick
- Best Midsize Truck: 2023 Toyota Tacoma
- Best Full-Size Truck: 2023 Ford F-150
- Best Electric Truck: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
- Best Minivan: 2023 Toyota Sienna
- 2023 Best Buy Awards Home
