Road Test: 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro AWD on Everyman Driver

quotes.everyma... - Get matched for FREE in seconds with the right vehicle, at the right price and at the right dealer.
The Kia Sportage is all-new this year. It has grown in size, and now offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains in addition to the standard gas model.
The Kia Sportage is all-new for 2023 with a striking exterior design, increased size, and new hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. There's also a wide range of trims so it's easy to find the right one for your specific needs. The redesigned Sportage combines improved handling that makes it more engaging to drive with an attractive, larger interior. Kia isn't a luxury brand, but it continues to put thoughtfully chosen, high-quality materials into its vehicles, so they look and feel more premium than their prices suggest. Families will appreciate the extra cargo and passenger room, but the larger exterior dimensions mean it's not quite as easy to squeeze into tight parking spots. It's still a compact crossover, but it's now on the upper end of the size range. It has a good amount of standard safety tech and a fully featured infotainment system. All of this, combined with affordable pricing, makes the Kia Sportage a crossover with plenty of appeal.
The Honda CR-V has comparable pricing with a less intuitive infotainment system and no plug-in hybrid option. The Toyota RAV4 offers three engine variants along with a comprehensive infotainment system and a smooth ride. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is offered only with a gas engine and is more affordable, but not as well-appointed.
The Kia Sportage is available with either a gas, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid engine depending on the trim. There's also a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That's an increase from last year. It's a responsive engine that easily gets the Sportage up to speed. Acceleration is strong, and it handles well, with a more engaging drive experience than the outgoing Sportage model. There's a minimum of body roll even when changing lanes on the highway; steering is controlled and centered on twisting roads.
A choice of up to four drive modes is available depending on the configuration. Base trims offer Normal, Sport, and Smart with the availability of a Snow mode. The X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige enhance those modes with tuning for use with all-terrain tires. While this isn't a hard-core off-road vehicle, those trims can manage rugged terrain. Whether it's a simple dirt track, a rutted incline, or a steep descent with soft dirt, the Sportage is ready for unexpected adventures.
The available hybrid engine is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a combined 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. It too delivers strong acceleration with improved fuel economy. There's also a plug-in hybrid version of this same engine with a combined 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Available only with all-wheel drive, it has a Kia-estimated all-electric range of up to 32 miles. Using a Level 2 charger, it can fully charge in just under two hours.
The Honda CR-V has comparable horsepower in its gas engine, slightly more as a hybrid, but is less engaging to drive. The Mitsubishi Outlander has a less powerful gas engine, and is far less responsive. The Toyota RAV4 has stronger performance with more horsepower and equally sharp handling across its lineup.
Visit my dedicated website, quotes.everyma... I'm here to help you research, discover, and find the right vehicle at the right price!
Best Site for New Vehicle Quotes: quotes.everyma...
Best Site to Used Car Quotes: quotes.everyma...

[@ericchill864]

Thank you...