Recently I tooled around town in a 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD.
The name is a bit of a chore — thankfully, the vehicle isn't.
This one sets up a 1.6-liter turbo four with an electric motor for a total system horsepower of 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. There's a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, satellite radio, wireless device charging, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, and more.
Options included a “smart” power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, LED fog lamps, smart cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, Harman/Kardon audio, cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and a memory driver's seats. Oh, and this one had matte paint for $595.
Base price, with D and D: $37,490. Price as optioned, again with D and D: $39,730.
Let's get to it.
Pros
- Smooth is the word I'd use the most here. It rides smoothly, the hybrid transitions are smooth, it's just smooth to use.
- Kia's steering is, alas, too artificial. But the tradeoff is that it's dialed-in well enough and weighted nicely — it's almost too heavy.
- The interior layout looks good and controls are mostly easy to use, save for one thing (see below).
- I like the styling, though the matte paint seems an unnecessary for a mainstream crossover.
- The cabin is quiet.
- The price may seem dear, but it's in line with a lot of the competitive set.
- Overall, the Sportage Hybrid is well packaged and pleasantly unremarkable. It's enjoyable enough to drive though not particularly memorable.
Cons
- I don't like the need to press a button to switch between climate controls and audio controls. It may help designers save space, but it also complicates things.
- Power is fine for around-town driving but mostly meh.
- As mentioned, the steering is a tad heavy and a tad artificial.
- The Sportage is stylish, yet perhaps just a tad boring. Which may not be a bad thing.
The Sportage Hybrid offers a lot to like but some flaws annoy. Save some bucks and avoid the matte paint and you might have a boring yet likable ride.
[Images © 2024 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]
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