2024 KIA SPORTAGE HYBRID

 

HYBRID MODEL OVERCOMES CHECKERED HISTORY OF KIA SPORTAGE COMPACT SUV

The Kia Sportage may have a checkered history but the South Korean automaker has gotten things right since resuming production of its compact SUV after a two-year hiatus a couple of decades ago.

Poor sales and problems such as recalls to correct issues with rear wheels falling off and a reputation for being rollover prone led the company to discontinue sales after the 2002 model year.

Its replacement arrived for 2005 as a slightly larger verhicle, and improvements over the first generation led to Consumer Reports selecting the 2009 model as one of its most reliable vehicles.

The 2010 model that kicked off its third generation also earned international recognition, and the JD Power Survey gave it five stars in all categories of its quality survey. In 2016 the Sportage took over the role as the company’s best-seller from the Rio, and it hasn’t looked back since.

A redesign for 2023 gave the Sportage a completely new look and for the first time a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain. With such an extensive overhaul, only a few updates were applied to the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid, including standard seat-mounted airbags for the seco
nd row and LED projection type headlights.

As the third hybrid SUV in the Kia lineup, the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid is positioned between the larger Sorento and smaller Niro. It comes in three trim levels.

The LX serves as the base and front-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel available. The EX and SX Prestige get AWD as standard. This review is based on the SX Prestige model.

The hybrid drivetrain features a 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder gas engine paired with an electric motor and is rated at 177 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. That’s a bit less horsepower than the gas model delivers (187 hp) but a significant jump from the 178 lb.-ft. of torque from gas models.

Mileage for the 2024 Kia Sportage varies from 38 miles-per-gallon for the EX and SX-Prestige trims to 43 mpg for the LX. Gas-engine Sportages are rated a 28 mpg combined with FWD and 25 with AWD.

If your recollection of the Sportage is a rather plain, boxy 2- or 4-door small SUV from the 1990s you likely won’t recognize the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The exterior is sleeker and the spare tire that once hung off the back of some early models has been dropped (not literally). The roomy interior has a premium feel.

Standard comfort and convenience features in the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige include navigation with a 12.3-inch touchscreen to display the map, dual automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, a wireless charger, power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Kia Connect, which gives access to features that remotely lock and unlock your vehicle, activate climate control, and find your car in a crowded parking lot, is offered by subscription with a one-year free trial.

The 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige rides on 18-inch alloy wheel and comes with LED projection headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, and standard roof rails.

Active safety systems include lane-departure warning, driver attention warning, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and reverse parking distance warning. The government gives it four out of five stars when it comes to rollover protection and five stars for frontal crash protection.

Features adding no cost to the starting MSRP of $37,450 in my SX-Prestige test vehicle included dark gray wheels, a panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, LED fog lights, a Harman-Kardon premium sound system, a blind-spot view monitor (activated by turn signals), adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist, forward parking assist, a memory driver’s seat, LED interior lights, heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.

The only extras were $595 for the Shadow Matte Steel Gray exterior paint, carpeted floor mats, and a cargo mat tran the final total to $39,730 including the $1,375 destination and delivery fee.

The base FWD 2024 Kia Hybrid LX starts at $28,590 with AWD running the price to $30,390. The EX AWD starts at $3,290.

What I liked about the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid: The design is very attractive both inside and out. The cabin is spacious and the ride is comfortable. Throttle response is very responsive and the cabin is spacious with lots of standard infotainment features operated off a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Though not a leader in its class, fuel economy still is a plus. The hybrid drivetrain provides a significant boost in both torque and fuel efficiency over Sportages with the 2.5-liter gas engine only.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid: You won’t find much not to like about the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid. The gear selector, which is a dial on the center console, is on the funky side.

Would I buy the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid? Yes.Many standard hybrids offer more in the way of fuel economy, but the Sportage is competitive among other hybrid SUVs.