I just bought (3 months ago), 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Ex (with Prestige Package), and I can honestly say I love every single thing about it. Especially the noise it makes when only in electric (people turn their heads and say it sounds like an alien). My other favorite exterior feature, is when you turn it on, if you look at the front grill, there are panels that move up and down to block the radiator. Happens every time you start the car, is very unnoticeable, but is really cool. I couple people have asked "what was that" when starting the car. I guess its supposed to help with drag at high speeds. But seriously, this cars interior feels like a $60k+ car, the tech features are far beyond any other car I have ever driven (including high end cars like Acura and Volkswagen). The screens are huge, and touch screen (Acura makes you use a "mouse" of sorts). And a feature no one really talks about is the "Siri"/"Hey Google" button, click it and you can tell it to take you somewhere, turn on heated seats, change temperature, change radio, etc... Pretty much anything automated the car does, you can ask it to do without pushing a button. Click it and say, "Go home", or "Turn on driver heated seat" or "Change temp to 72degrees" or "Change radio to Q101"..... And its actually quick. Its super quick in the 10mph-20mph acceleration, kind of goes to normal after that, but for highway driving, when you need that quick shot of speed, even in Eco Drive, it is there. Almost 5,000k miles, and I drive pretty normal, gas mileage has been about 36mpg highway and almost 42mpg city (with highway driving in between, which charges the batter). I think the battery is worth about 30 miles on EV. Now, in a dead stop, like a stop sign, if you have the auto brake feature clicked, and you are in EV mode, if you need to punch it (drive really fast quick), there is a noticeable delay as you can hear/feel the actual engine turn on, I have not found a way to keep the car engine running all the time. It's not horrible, but if you are pulling out in front of a semi moving at 70mph, from a dead stop, you need to know, it will not accelerate the same as it will from 40-60mph (as an example) That being said, it will go full electric at 90mph when the battery is above 60% charge, and keeping at a steady pace in Eco/Smart modes. Even when using gas engine though, you never really use the full RPMs you would see driving your normal gasoline engine, as the Hybrid helps out. Meaning normally at 85mph in my last car, RPMs were around 2700-3500, with this car, my RPMs are really never above 2.1-2.5 unless hard accelerating. Seriously love this car! Plus 10-Year warranty including Hybrid battery, can't beat that. Toyota and Honda can't come close.
Better than most youtube auto reviews! Thankly you review the mid-level model, unlike others that typically review the top model. I wish you'd add a segment about the actual driving experience. It'd be great to do another video that compares the mid-level models of the 2025 Kia Sportage and 2025 Hyundai Tsscon...both built by the same company with the same powertrain, but with different design characteristics and digital features.
Thank you, that means alot! ☺️. Yeah I can start doing driving sections in the future. Just need to buy a chest or head mount. Or just do one hand on the camera and one on the wheel lol. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I just bought the Sportage Hybrid EX 2025 and absolutely love it! We also have a Honda CR-V and I prefer the Kia for comfort and especially for better interior sound levels. Thanks for the informative video!
We just purchased a 2024 Sportage hybrid LX all-wheel-drive, we really like it, although very disappointed in having to use a key to unlock the doors, to start it. The last vehicles we have had had push button
I was planning to buy one KIA SPORTAGE, but I wasn't sure. When I saw this video, I was convinced I had to buy it. Thank you for your very nice review, I'm going to buy a kia sportage 2025
New to your channel and I am really impressed with your review! Very thorough and great camera work as well. I think this is a great SUV for the $$. Super well equipped and those MPGs are so great. I'm subscribed and a fan. Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
You have no idea the smile on my face right now. Thank you so much! That made my day. And I agree with you on the Kia Sportage, it blew me away while making this video
Self-charging is a bit of a convoluted term because this vehicle is not a plug-in vehicle. It is an inherent greenwashing marketing strategy used to cast doubt and uncertainty around fully electric vehicles, presenting hybrids as a “better” alternative. Which yes it is for some people. However, using the term “self-charging” is inaccurate because a hybrid is powered by a gasoline engine paired with an electric motor.
Very nice overview. Like how you took time with each aspect of the vehicle. How's the reverse sound? I know the USA versions for this and the Tuscon were obnoxiously loud and jarring in previous years, but I've heard that Sportage improved on it to make it more tolerable either last year or his year.
Thank you. You have no idea what that means to me 😊. And I'm not gonna lie I didn't hear a sound. I did back up multiple times to get different shots. So maybe there is but not obnoxious enough for me to notice
Good amount of concise information. However, objective 0-60 MPH data, driving commentary, etc. would enhance and COMPLETE this video review ... keep in mind for your other / future reviews.
Thank you! Yes it does have wireless carplay and Bluetooth. Sorry I didn't say that in the video. Usually the cars with wireless charging pads have wireless carplay
@@executiveautoThanks for your feedback . My question might come off a bit unnecessary but I asked because of a comment from one of your viewers. Again thanks for the overview . Is there an overview for the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq ?
$35,000 and we still have halogen turn signals in the rear… what a bummer! It makes it look cheap. It would have been a yes for me but that totally ruined it. I would only be willing to buy it if the dealer was willing to change out the halogens bulbs.
with the remote start or starting in general is the cabin air turned on or outside air turned on at startup? I wont buy it if the outside air is on at startup every time. Remote starting and sucking in all the stink
Not having wireless phone connectivity is unacceptable in 2025. Way too much shiny black plastic in the interior. Kia is sabotages itself from being on par with it's Japanese rivals.
@@bushitwo6367 Well the 2025 model is a facelift (or PE as KIA calls it) and has gotten a completely different front. The car presented here is the "pre-facelift" one. Check out this video and you will notice the difference: th-cam.com/video/Yk1yPGq3xK0/w-d-xo.html
I just bought (3 months ago), 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Ex (with Prestige Package), and I can honestly say I love every single thing about it. Especially the noise it makes when only in electric (people turn their heads and say it sounds like an alien).
My other favorite exterior feature, is when you turn it on, if you look at the front grill, there are panels that move up and down to block the radiator. Happens every time you start the car, is very unnoticeable, but is really cool. I couple people have asked "what was that" when starting the car. I guess its supposed to help with drag at high speeds.
But seriously, this cars interior feels like a $60k+ car, the tech features are far beyond any other car I have ever driven (including high end cars like Acura and Volkswagen). The screens are huge, and touch screen (Acura makes you use a "mouse" of sorts). And a feature no one really talks about is the "Siri"/"Hey Google" button, click it and you can tell it to take you somewhere, turn on heated seats, change temperature, change radio, etc... Pretty much anything automated the car does, you can ask it to do without pushing a button. Click it and say, "Go home", or "Turn on driver heated seat" or "Change temp to 72degrees" or "Change radio to Q101".....
And its actually quick. Its super quick in the 10mph-20mph acceleration, kind of goes to normal after that, but for highway driving, when you need that quick shot of speed, even in Eco Drive, it is there. Almost 5,000k miles, and I drive pretty normal, gas mileage has been about 36mpg highway and almost 42mpg city (with highway driving in between, which charges the batter). I think the battery is worth about 30 miles on EV. Now, in a dead stop, like a stop sign, if you have the auto brake feature clicked, and you are in EV mode, if you need to punch it (drive really fast quick), there is a noticeable delay as you can hear/feel the actual engine turn on, I have not found a way to keep the car engine running all the time. It's not horrible, but if you are pulling out in front of a semi moving at 70mph, from a dead stop, you need to know, it will not accelerate the same as it will from 40-60mph (as an example)
That being said, it will go full electric at 90mph when the battery is above 60% charge, and keeping at a steady pace in Eco/Smart modes. Even when using gas engine though, you never really use the full RPMs you would see driving your normal gasoline engine, as the Hybrid helps out. Meaning normally at 85mph in my last car, RPMs were around 2700-3500, with this car, my RPMs are really never above 2.1-2.5 unless hard accelerating.
Seriously love this car! Plus 10-Year warranty including Hybrid battery, can't beat that. Toyota and Honda can't come close.
So.. can you connect your phone to the car?
Better than most youtube auto reviews! Thankly you review the
mid-level model, unlike others that typically review the top model.
I wish you'd add a segment about the actual driving experience.
It'd be great to do another video that compares the mid-level models of the 2025 Kia Sportage and 2025 Hyundai Tsscon...both built by the same company with the same powertrain, but with different design characteristics and digital features.
Thank you, that means alot! ☺️. Yeah I can start doing driving sections in the future. Just need to buy a chest or head mount. Or just do one hand on the camera and one on the wheel lol. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
The backseat blooper should be put in the highlights reel at the end of the year! 👍
I just bought the Sportage Hybrid EX 2025 and absolutely love it! We also have a Honda CR-V and I prefer the Kia for comfort and especially for better interior sound levels. Thanks for the informative video!
We just purchased a 2024 Sportage hybrid LX all-wheel-drive, we really like it, although very disappointed in having to use a key to unlock the doors, to start it. The last vehicles we have had had push button
I was planning to buy one KIA SPORTAGE, but I wasn't sure. When I saw this video, I was convinced I had to buy it.
Thank you for your very nice review, I'm going to buy a kia sportage 2025
New to your channel and I am really impressed with your review! Very thorough and great camera work as well. I think this is a great SUV for the $$. Super well equipped and those MPGs are so great. I'm subscribed and a fan. Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
You have no idea the smile on my face right now. Thank you so much! That made my day. And I agree with you on the Kia Sportage, it blew me away while making this video
@@executiveauto You are welcome and so glad to have found your channel! Have a good one!
Thank you so much for making this!! super helpful
6:06 😭 😭 wasnt expecting that
I was thinking about getting this, but not having wireless phone connectivity is a deal breaker, absolutely ridiculous.
Totally agree BUT, there's really good solutions like Motorola MA1 and AAWireless TWO which work great
I just had boug my KIA 2025 storage. Still waiting the delivery within this week
Self-charging is a bit of a convoluted term because this vehicle is not a plug-in vehicle. It is an inherent greenwashing marketing strategy used to cast doubt and uncertainty around fully electric vehicles, presenting hybrids as a “better” alternative. Which yes it is for some people. However, using the term “self-charging” is inaccurate because a hybrid is powered by a gasoline engine paired with an electric motor.
very comprehensive and answered a lot of questions, thanks for the great review!
Thank you! That means alot 😊
Very nice overview. Like how you took time with each aspect of the vehicle. How's the reverse sound? I know the USA versions for this and the Tuscon were obnoxiously loud and jarring in previous years, but I've heard that Sportage improved on it to make it more tolerable either last year or his year.
Thank you. You have no idea what that means to me 😊. And I'm not gonna lie I didn't hear a sound. I did back up multiple times to get different shots. So maybe there is but not obnoxious enough for me to notice
@@executiveautofantastic to hear! That’s been my biggest gripe with this vehicle.
I'm actually looking at the SX... It's looks worth the upgrade.
@1:44 "car is actually very low" - is 8.3" above ground very low? I don't think so.
Can you review the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid so we can compare the cousin videos? :)
Good amount of concise information. However, objective 0-60 MPH data, driving commentary, etc. would enhance and COMPLETE this video review ... keep in mind for your other / future reviews.
Thank you! I will for sure do that in the future. Next week I will be recording a civic hybrid. Thank you for the feedback 😊
Love the overview … can car play and Bluetooth connect wirelessly ?
Thank you! Yes it does have wireless carplay and Bluetooth. Sorry I didn't say that in the video. Usually the cars with wireless charging pads have wireless carplay
@@executiveautoThanks for your feedback . My question might come off a bit unnecessary but I asked because of a comment from one of your viewers.
Again thanks for the overview .
Is there an overview for the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq ?
Does that have adaptive cruise control with stop and go?
It doesn't sadly. The SX Prestige comes with it but that's a few grand more.
$35,000 and we still have halogen turn signals in the rear… what a bummer! It makes it look cheap. It would have been a yes for me but that totally ruined it. I would only be willing to buy it if the dealer was willing to change out the halogens bulbs.
38 mph highway and city seem strange. If true that's a great city mpg.
Hybrid provides better mpg in city than highway
It could have better mpg but kia and Hyundai are sticking with a traditional 6 automatic vs going with a CVT.
@@brokeboy87 cvts are trash that's why
with the remote start or starting in general is the cabin air turned on or outside air turned on at startup? I wont buy it if the outside air is on at startup every time. Remote starting and sucking in all the stink
Not having wireless phone connectivity is unacceptable in 2025. Way too much shiny black plastic in the interior. Kia is sabotages itself from being on par with it's Japanese rivals.
It might depend on the model. I know the SX prestige does have it along with the ventilated seats.
Buy an $18 dongle freak. You must have a spouse that works at the gas station.
Not really, I have not been able to use wireless charging on anything...I have a case on my phone
All Wireless charger did was make your phone hot asf and barely charges
They will have it on the 2026 model
I will stick with Toyota. #2 behind Lexus.
KILL IN ACTION 🤧
This is not the 2025 model, that one is currently only available in S. Korea.
I’m pretty sure it is. Just saw it in our Kia dealership. Unless the dealer lied to us? 😅
@@bushitwo6367 Well the 2025 model is a facelift (or PE as KIA calls it) and has gotten a completely different front. The car presented here is the "pre-facelift" one. Check out this video and you will notice the difference: th-cam.com/video/Yk1yPGq3xK0/w-d-xo.html
Yep . . . T/C/E
This is priced same as CRV and RAV4. So why would someone buy kia.
The Kia feels way more premium and comes with more features than the CRV or RAV4.