The 2024 Kia Sportage is a compact 5-seat SUV fresh from a recent redesign that gave it more horsepower, extra interior space, increased cargo volume, and a bold exterior design. Newly added to the range were two electrified versions of the Sportage, the Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).
Each of the two builds upon the strengths of the Sportage while simultaneously delivering a notable boost in fuel economy. In this instance, we will compare the pros and cons of the standard Kia Sportage and its hybrid-powered (non-PHEV) stablemate. For this comparison, we’ll consider factors important to car shoppers, including price, performance, safety, cabin space, and efficiency.
2024 Kia Sportage
- Price: $27,090 (plus $1,325 destination charge)
- Monthly fuel cost: $163 (FWD), $179 (AWD)
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine
- 187 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
- 178 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
- EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy: 25/33/28 mpg (FWD), 23/26/25 (AWD)
The 2024 Kia Sportage has a base price of $27,090 and is available in several trims. These include the base LX, EX, X-Line, SX, and X-Pro. The latter of this quintet, the X-Pro, is geared toward SUV shoppers who like something more capable when it comes to off-road driving – or at least owning a vehicle capable of traversing terrain more demanding than a grassy parking lot at the local apple orchard.
The X-Pro and range-topping X-Pro Prestige come standard with all-wheel drive, a multi-terrain drive mode selector, 1.5 inches of added ground clearance, off-road tires, and redesigned front and rear bumpers. This more rugged trim work, and much of the adventure gear that comes with it, is unavailable on the Sportage Hybrid.
Turning attention back to the rest of the Sportage lineup, every model is motivated by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that serves up 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on most trims, and unless it’s fitted as standard (like on the X-Pro), adding all-wheel drive (AWD) is an additional $1,800. This upcharge is the same amount you’ll pay to add AWD to the Sportage Hybrid.
The entry-level Sportage LX has multiple features, including a user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.2-inch digital instrument display, Bluetooth, a 6-speaker audio system, and a front USB-C port. This array is identical to the standard tech features of the Sportage Hybrid. You can upgrade each to an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen that’s even more functional and easy to navigate – though it requires a wired connection for smartphone projection.
It’s a neck-and-neck race between these two SUV siblings regarding active safety features, too. Every Sportage comes with Kia Drive Wise Driver Assist Technology, a suite of active safety items consisting of automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, driver attention monitor with leading vehicle departure alert, automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision avoidance assist with car, pedestrian, and cyclist protection, rear parking sensors, and rear occupant alert. Safety upgrades on both Sportage variants include a surround-view parking camera, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Sportage and Sportage Hybrid are in a dead heat regarding tech and creature comforts. Yet differences emerge when you’re behind the wheel.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid
- Price: $27,490 (2023 model year price)
- Monthly fuel cost: $104 (FWD), $117 (AWD)
- 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine + two electric motors
- 227 total system horsepower
- 258 lb-ft of total system torque @ 1,500 rpm
- EPA city/highway fuel economy: 42/44/43 mpg (FWD), 38/38/38 mpg (AWD)
The Sportage Hybrid feels quicker and more lively than the non-hybrid thanks to the two electric motors paired with its 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine. With 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque combined at your disposal, the Sportage Hybrid has ample acceleration and passing power that’s in minimal supply with the regular Sportage.
During our time with the hybrid model, we did notice the interplay between the gas engine and electric motors can feel a little uneven and not as seamless as what you find in a rival like the Honda CR-V Hybrid.
Still, this added speed and boost in fuel efficiency is a win for the Sportage Hybrid. Added to the performance advantage is the fact that the hybrid model doesn’t cost considerably more than the non-hybrid variant. Available in three trims, the standard Sportage Hybrid LX has a starting price of $27,490 for the 2023 model (at the time of writing, Kia had not revealed pricing for the 2024 Sportage Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid).
The Sportage Hybrid’s edge in fuel economy, an EPA-estimated 43 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving, should balance this extra outlay. Adding AWD knocks this down to 38 mpg combined. This result is notably better than the 28/25 combined mpg averages in the FWD and AWD pure gasoline Sportage models.
As for cargo space, the Sportage Hybrid has just a hair less than the standard gasoline model: A still-copious 39.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 73.7 with the seat folded. That compares to the standard Sportage’s 39.6/74.1 numbers.
More 2024 Kia Sportage
If you’ve picked the Sportage best for your budget and driving needs, you can build and price your 2024 Kia Sportage or Kia Sportage Hybrid to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price. You can also click here to see Kia Sportage models for sale where you live.
The EPA-estimated monthly fuel costs are based on 45% city and 55% highway driving. They consider current fuel gas prices and 15,000 miles of annual driving.
