2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid

It’s rare for one car to truly be the total package, but it’s hard to find fault in the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. Totally redesigned just last year, it immediately took home our PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Best Buy Award because it does just about everything well. It’s one of the roomiest vehicles in its class. It looks great, inside and out. And if you never drove more than 34 miles in a day, you might never have to visit a gas station at all.

The Sportage is also available in traditional gas and conventional hybrid versions, each reviewed separately. The top rival of the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is the Toyota RAV4 Prime, which is more powerful and efficient but also pricier.

Having been introduced as an all-new model for 2023, changes are minimal to the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid for 2024. Projection-type LED headlights and rear seat-mounted airbags now come standard.

Before buying a Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid resale value is about average for the segment.

The Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a 261-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. With 35 more horsepower than the conventional hybrid and a whopping 74 more horsepower than the non-hybrid Sportage, the version with the electrical inlet is the most forceful, too. That extra power is noticeable when you hit the gas pedal thanks to quick acceleration delivered through a smooth, quick-shifting transmission.

We found the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid to be a comfortable and agreeable SUV for highway cruising and urban errand running. The ride is smooth, the cabin is quiet, and it’s overall an easy SUV to drive. We hardly noticed when the powertrain switched between gas and electric power, which is a claim we can’t make for every PHEV.

The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s driving experience is similar to the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Both are the most powerful versions in their respective lineups. Still, the Toyota makes 302 horsepower giving it quicker acceleration, and it has more of a sport-tuned suspension for sharper handling.

We like the upscale and high-tech vibe inside the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. The interior design has a futuristic and technical look, and both trims have X-Line perforated and quilted SynTex seat trim available in the unique Sage Green color. Some excellent standard features that we appreciate include a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, wireless charging, and navigation.

Compared to the non-hybrid Sportage, the PHEV has a little less rear legroom (39.5 inches versus 41.3 inches) and less cargo space behind the back seats (34.5 cubic feet versus 39.6 cubic feet). This is due to the extra space required to package the plug-in hybrid components. However, the interior space is still impressive and roomier than the Toyota RAV4 Prime.

Every Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid has the X-Line appearance package, which is optional on the traditional gas Sportage and unavailable on the Sportage Hybrid. It gives this SUV a more rugged look that’s backed up by standard all-wheel drive.

All-electric driving
A fully charged Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid can travel up to 34 miles on electricity alone. When that battery power is depleted, it operates as a traditional hybrid delivering 35 miles per gallon is mixed city/highway driving.

Standard AWD
All-wheel drive comes standard on every Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, a particularly appealing feature for drivers in snowy climates.

X-Line appearance package
The X-Line appearance package is standard on the PHEV variant of the Sportage. It includes rugged body styling, high-utility roof rails, alloy wheels with a gloss black finish, and X-Line SynTex seating trim.

Roomy interior
A big cargo hold and plenty of rear-seat space make the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid one of the roomiest SUVs in its class.

Dual Panoramic Displays
The X-Line Prestige trim comes with two 12.3-inch screens in one sleek display. One is a digital gauge cluster, and the other is an infotainment screen loaded with features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa.

Kia Drive Wise
Standard features in the Kia Drive Wise safety tech suite include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and lane-following assist.

The turbocharged, plug-in hybrid powertrain of the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid isn’t just efficient, it’s the most powerful powertrain available in the Sportage. We love to see all-wheel drive come standard on both trims.

1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with electric motor
Total horsepower: 261
Total torque: 258 lb-ft
All-electric range: 34 miles
EPA combined fuel economy: 84 MPGe in all-electric driving, 35 mpg in regular hybrid operation

Lower Fuel Costs?

While the real-world economy of plug-in hybrids can vary greatly according to the amount and frequency of driving, not to mention gas and electricity prices, it’s safe to say for most people the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid costs more to buy and operate than the lower-priced Sportage Hybrid. This is true of all hybrid and plug-in hybrid pairings. But the ability to drive on electricity alone is enough to justify the plug-in’s price premium for a lot of buyers. There’s also more power, fewer trips to the gas station, and lower tailpipe emissions to consider. There are plenty of reasons to consider the plug-in version of the Sportage, just know that saving money isn’t among them.

Outstanding Warranty

The Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s as good as it gets in this class.