Pricing for the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid has been released—just in the nick of time for buyers of this model to no longer qualify for the federal EV tax credit.
The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV will start at $39,785, including a destination charge of $1,295. That’s for the X-Line AWD; the top-trim X-Line Prestige costs $44,285. Kia hasn’t yet posted a build tool or detailed options, although the brand typically doesn’t offer a lot of build combinations.
That puts base pricing for the Sportage PHEV just under the base price of the Toyota RAV4 Prime but above that of the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid. The Sportage is closely related to the Tucson. One other upcoming rival is the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid.
2023 Kia Sportage PHEV
The Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 177-hp, 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine that’s part of a hybrid system packaging an electric motor with a 5-speed automatic transmission, adding a clutch that takes the engine out of the mix for fully electric driving enabled by the bigger 13.8-kwh battery pack. With a higher-power electric motor [66.9 kw versus 44 kw], the output of the hybrid system is up versus the hybrid—to 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Kia claims that the Sportage PHEV will go 34 all-electric miles on a charge, and hybrid AWD versions of the Sportage earn 38 mpg combined—so expect close to that once you’ve used up the charge. Numbers haven’t yet been confirmed by the EPA, and they would be needed before deliveries commence.
2023 Kia Sportage PHEV
All Sportage PHEVs get a 7.2-kw onboard charger that enables a full 240-volt charge in about two hours. Inside, dual panoramic display screens set a 12.3-inch instrument-panel display and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display side by side.
Kia says that the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is available now, and it will be available in all 50 states. The Sportage PHEV would have qualified for the tax credit for purchases up through August 15, but it wasn’t posted on the federal government’s previous list of eligible vehicles for that version of the tax credit; and it won't qualify under the revised credit due to its final assembly location of South Korea.
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Update: ‘Specifications’ and ‘Price’ sections updated.
The 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid has joined the compact SUV’s gasoline and hybrid variants in the United States. Here’s everything we know about the new plug-in hybrid electric SUV:
Design & Interior
The 2023 Kia Sportage, including the PHEV detailed in this story, is the fifth generation of the compact SUV and has a fully redesigned exterior. Kia created the fifth-gen Sportage based on its new “Opposites United” design philosophy. The latest model may not look all that different from the sides, but its front and rear, in stark contrast to the simplistic sides, are bold and striking. Kia says rugged, sheer forms offset smooth, soft surfaces on the new model.
The tiger-nose grille of the Sportage has become more technical with floating design, resting above a blacked-out grille graphic that covers the whole width of the front fascia. Vertical headlamps with dramatically-angled, boomerang-shaped DRLs flank the mammoth radiator grille. At the rear, the Sportage’s new identity is “notch-shaped” tail lights, connected by a thin black graphic in a subtle manner.
The interior of the fifth-gen Sportage, inspired by high-end outdoor products, furniture, and modern architecture, offers pleasant living space on wheels. The dashboard carries a more elegant design, and so does the center console. Plus, there’s a new dual curved display that seamlessly connects a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This panel makes the interior look upscale compared to that of the fourth-gen model.
Specifications
Like the Hybrid variant, the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid employs a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine [177 hp/195 lb.-ft.], but with a 66.9 kW motor and a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. A 6-speed automatic transmission transmits the power, and an AWD system is standard.
The battery pack, located under the vehicle floor, charges with a 7.2 kW onboard charger with what Kia claims to be a leading power density of 1.53 kW/l. Fully charging the 13.8 kWh battery pack using a Level-2 charger takes about two hours.
According to the 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s specifications page on the Kia U.S. website, it delivers an EPA-est. combined fuel economy of 84 MPGe [gasoline + electricity]/35 MPG [gasoline] and offers an EPA-est. electric driving range of 35 miles.
2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid spec sheet
| Aspect | Specification |
| Engine Type | 1.6L Turbo Plug-in Hybrid engine |
| Displacement [cc] | 1,598 cc |
| Bore x stroke [mm] | 75.6 x 89 |
| Configuration | Inline 4-cylinder |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Max. power [kW @ rpm] | 132 kW @ 5,500 rpm |
| Max. power [hp @ rpm] | 177 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Max. torque [kg.m @ rpm] | 27 kg.m @ 1,500-4,500 rpm |
| Max. torque [lb.-ft. @ rpm] | 195 lb.-ft. @ 1,500-4,500 rpm |
| Block | Aluminum |
| Head | Aluminum |
| Oil-pan | Steel |
| Valve system | 16V DOHC CVVT with Hydraulic Lash Adjuster |
| Fuel Injection | Direct Injection |
| Fuel requirement | Regular Unleaded [87 or higher] |
| Coolant Capacity [L] | 4.8 L |
| Emission Control System | WCC + UCC |
| Battery | 68 AH[20 HR] |
| Alternator | 13.5V 130A |
| Starter | 12V 2.0kW |
| Fuel tank capacity | 11.1 gal. |
| Electrical System | – |
| Type | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Power [kW] | 13 kW |
| Power [hp] | 17.4 hp |
| Torque [Nm] | 43.2 Nm |
| Torque [lb.-ft.] | 31.9 lb.-ft. |
| Hybrid Battery System | – |
| Type | Lithium-ion [Pouch] |
| Voltage [V] | 360 V |
| Capacity [Ah] | 38.3 Ah |
| Energy [kWh] | 13.8 kWh |
| Power [kW] | 88.0 kW |
| Weight [kg.] | 140.0 kg |
| Weight [lbs.] | 308.7 lbs |
| Charging | – |
| Max. Charging Power | 7.2 kW |
| Full Charging Time | Approx. 2 hours |
| Efficiency | – |
| EPA-est. Fuel Economy [Combined] | 84 MPGe [gasoline + electricity]/35 MPG [gasoline] |
| EPA-est. Electric Driving Range | 34 miles |
Features
Kia sells the 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid in the U.S. in X-Line and X-Line Prestige trims.
X-Line
The X-Line grade includes exterior features like LED headlights with LED DRLs, LED tail lights, heated ORVMs, 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, and a smart power liftgate as standard. Inside, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control system, 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support, front seat heating, wireless smartphone charger, leather-wrapped steering wheel, etc. are part of the standard equipment.
On the safety front, Kia offers the following features in the X-Line grade’s Kia Drive Wise package:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane Following Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Reverse parking sensors
X-Line Prestige
The X-Line Prestige grade has a more attractive exterior with LED projector headlights, LED rear combination tail lights, and LED fog lights. Plus, it features a heated windshield as well. Interior features in addition to or better than those of the X-Line grade includes a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, 8-way power front passenger’s seat, memory function for the driver’s seat and ORVMs, front-seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, LED ambient lighting, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
The Kia Drive Wise safety suite of the X-Line Prestige trim includes the following additional or better features:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Junction Crossing
- Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Highway Driving Assist
- Surround View Monitor
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Front parking sensors
- Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
Price
The first-ever Sportage Plug-in Hybrid in America costs USD 38,490 in the X-Line trim and USD 42,990 in the X-Line Prestige trim. Including a standard USD 1,295 destination fee, the net MSRP comes to USD 39,785 and USD 44,285, respectively. Kia has confirmed that the new plug-in hybrid SUV is available at its dealers in all 50 states in the U.S.
What is the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid release date?
The 2023 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is now on sale in the U.S.
What is the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid price?
The base Sportage Plug-in Hybrid costs USD 39,785 [incl. a USD 1,295 destination fee].
Which models are the 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid rivals?
Featured Image Source: Kia
With a Master’s Degree in Business Management & Administration, I’ve been working as an International Automotive News Editor since 2014, and have gained a wealth of knowledge and insight into hybrid and electric vehicles.