There is no question that the Sportage Hybrid came late (almost three years to be precise) to the table of electric power for Kia’s popular mid-size SUV. A shortage of cars only compounded the matter.
Now, says Kia, things are on the move, with the petrol/hybrid expected to sell 300 a month, 20 per cent of total sales Down Under, and another step in the company’s progress of increasing electrified options to the Australian market.
The Sportage HEV is available in two trims – SX front-wheel drive automatic and GT-Line FWD auto. Power comes from the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol/electric hybrid system as the larger Sorento.
This is mated with an electric motor and battery before putting the power through a six-speed automatic transmission and transferred to the front wheels.
Unique to the SX HEV over the internal combustion engine-only models are a shift-by-wire dial and temporary steel spare wheel. The entry-level model sells for $45,950, plus on-road costs, the extensively specified GT-Line $55,420, plus ORCs.
The Sportage HEV comes under the universal Kia warranty of seven years, unlimited kilometres, with the battery limited to 150,000 kilometres. Roadside assist is out to eight years.
STYLING
When the new Sportage landed in 2021 it was said, with its Tiger Nose grille and futuristic boomerang LED daytime running lights around LED headlamps, to form the basis of several generations down the line.
That time has come, with the Sportage HEV two trims sporting snazzy machined 18-inch alloy wheels (with tyre pressure monitoring). The Sportage stays with a strong road presence through a swooping fastback terminating in razor rear lamps, crafted to slice into the body with precision.
INTERIOR
Kia’s top selling vehicle globally has grown almost all round compared to the outgoing model, with the only concession being space for only a temporary spare wheel. The car is 4660mm long, 1865mm wide and 1660mm high.
Second row legroom is 1050mm and passenger headroom 1000mm are helped by the flat floor (no transmission hump). Three across in comfort is possible, if not sustainable over longer journeys.
Seats are covered in quality material and feature six-way adjustment for the driver, plus two-way lumbar support. All seating positions benefit from dual zone climate control air-conditioning.
INFOTAINMENT
Focus of the infotainment system is a centrally positioned 12.3-inch touchscreen, which among other things, is a mainstay of embedded satellite navigation, wired Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Kia Connected Services.
A 4.2-inch multifunction driver’s digital LCD display replaces the analogue one and maintains a high resolution.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Power for the Sportage Hybrid comes from the 1.6-litre turbo petrol/electric system found in the bigger Sorento Hybrid, mating a 132kW/265Nm four-cylinder petrol engine with a 44kW/264Nm electric motor and 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, with combined output of 169kW and 350Nm.
Paired with this is a six-speed automatic transmission transferring power to the front wheels for smooth gear shifts. A claimed combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.
SAFETY
A five-star ANCAP rating is based on 2022 testing. Passive and active safety match that of the petrol models with Kia’s own Advanced Driver Assistance System helping protecting occupants from danger from ‘unscheduled incidents.’
As part of the package, the SX features the factory fitted Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, which helps prevent accidents with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists ahead.
Also on hand is Intelligent Speed Limit Assist that ‘reads’ speed limit signs via a camera facing forward. Information is displayed in the instrument cluster directly in front of the driver. This can then be used to set the vehicle Speed Limiter or Smart Cruise Control.
DRIVING
The first thing to stand out for the driver is the rotary dial gearshift as opposed to the T-bar lever of the internal combustion Sportages supplying seamless switches between petrol and electric power.
Fuel economy of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres is claimed by the maker. A week of fives to sixes was recorded in the test vehicle.
While you would not put the Sportage SX HEV into the performance upper echelons, with substantive 350Nm of torque on tap low down, it is possible to spin the front wheels in the wet. Trust me.
As with all Kias these days, the Sportage HEV has undergone extensive testing and development by Aussie engineers to make sure it is up to taking on the vagaries of this country’s roads and drivers.
The company’s ride-and-handling engineers have tuned the suspension to deliver balanced ride and handling, plus accurate steering with plenty of feedback at all speeds.
Parking is as straight forward as in most modern passenger vehicles, with a rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines, supported by front and rear parking sensors and electronic parking brake with auto hold.
SUMMARY
Already lauded for value, versatility and refinement on the road, the addition of frugal petrol/electric fuel use is a welcome bonus. Pity about the limited supply.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 6
Safety – 7
Thirst – 6
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 6
Tech – 7
Value – 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Kia Sportage Hybrid SX FWD $45,950
Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line FWD $55,420
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Kia dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Kia Sportage 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 6sp auto, FWD, SUV)
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Maximum power 132kW @ 5500rpm
Maximum torque: 265Nm @ 1500-4500rpm
Fuel type: Unleaded petrol 91 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 4.9 L/100km
CO2 emissions 110g/km
ELECTRIC MOTOR
Power: 44kW
Torque: 264Nm
Total power: 169kW
Total torque: 350Nm
BATTERY PACK
1.49kWh
DRIVELINE: CVT, FWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4660mm
Width: 1865mm
Height: 1680mm
Wheelbase: 2755mm:
Turning circle: 11.1m
Kerb weight: 1738kg
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / unlimited kilometres (vehicle)
Seven years / 150,000 kilometres (HEV components)
Roadside assist up to 8 years
