Kia unwraps first plug-in hybrid variant of Sportage

MANILA: The newly unveiled 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is the latest electrified model to join the brand’s award-winning SUV portfolio. It builds on the foundation established by the Sportage HEV, offering efficiency with a 13.8kWh battery and a projected all-electric range (AER) of 32 miles.

In a statement, Kia America President and Chief Executive Officer Sean Yoon said, “The first Sportage PHEV to be introduced in the US demonstrates that Kia is listening to our consumers who are asking for electrified solutions and super-efficient powertrains, and Sportage delivers on that promise in a sophisticated, refined package. As Kia continues to implement our Plan S strategy and push toward carbon neutrality, models like the Sportage PHEV are paving the way.”

The Sportage is Kia’s longest-running nameplate. It received its most significant upgrade when the fifth generation was launched in 2021. The 2023 Sportage was created as part of Kia’s new global brand transformation, “Movement that Inspires,” and offers more of everything to today’s adventurous and environmentally responsible customers. The Sportage PHEV adds two design-focused X-Line trim levels to the Kia subcompact SUV roster, both of which come standard with all-wheel drive.

The 2023 Sportage PHEV is powered by a 1.6-liter, 177hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, supplemented by a 66.9kW electric motor and a lithium polymer battery. It also comes with a six-speed automatic transmission with selectable drive modes and downhill brake control (DBC).

The Sportage PHEV comes with a 7.2-kW high-efficiency onboard charger, with the best possible power density of 1.53kw/ℓ. When connected to a Level-2 charger, the battery will be fully charged in around two hours. The Sportage PHEV’s standard integrated electronic brake (IEB) combines hydraulic pressure generation and control functions. The electronic control of the motor provides linear braking feel, and the Sportage PHEV has better regenerative braking recovery rate than its competitors. Its EPA fuel economy ratings will be released closer to its on-sale date.

The Sportage PHEV chassis is built on the same “N3” platform as the Sorento. It features hot-stamped parts and ultra-high-strength steel for higher average tensile strength and torsional stiffness. Road, wind, and engine noise are reduced by the sound absorbing and insulating materials. The 2023 Sportage PHEV, like all fifth-generation Sportage variants, is one of the largest SUVs in its class. It offers a class-leading legroom of 39.5 inches and rear cargo capacity of 34.5 cu-ft.

The Sportage PHEV is available in two trim levels: X-Line PHEV AWD and X-Line Prestige PHEV AWD. X-Line styling cues combine sporty and rugged exterior features, such as unique front and rear bumpers with a satin chrome surround; gloss black side mirrors, roof rack, and window surrounds; and 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels.

The Sportage PHEV has a striking exterior that exudes a lasting impression with contrasting elements, all of which are part of Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy. Rugged, sheer forms contrast with smooth, soft surfaces. Kia’s Tiger Nose grille, which has a floating appearance and distinctive “boomerang” daytime running lights, is front and center on the Sportage PHEV. LED taillights are also standard. Muscular shoulders around the rear blend into modern notch-shaped taillights, which are connected by a thin black graphic running the length of the tailgate.

The interior of the Sportage PHEV is considered a delightful living space that is inspired by high-end outdoor products, furnishings, and modern architecture. The futuristic driver cockpit with dual panoramic curved display integrates two screens to provide nearly 25 inches of viewing.

The Sportage has various standard and available infotainment features to keep the driver connected and confident on the road. Both trims come standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as an intuitive touchpad under the infotainment screen with climate and audio controls. A 360-degree surround-view monitor with 3D view is available, providing a bird’s eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings. The Sportage X-Line Prestige PHEV AWD also comes standard with a Harman/Kardon premium audio system.

Sportage PHEV owners can also take advantage of the Kia Connect services that gives innovative embedded connectivity, including the ability to remotely charge from the Kia Access smartphone app.

Kia Connect also offers new features such as WiFi Hotspot that can connect up to five devices to 4G LTE-based internet, over-the-air map updates, stolen vehicle tracking and immobilization, and Connected Routing, a cloud-based system that determines the best route using real-time maps and projected traffic information based on previous data and AI.

The Sportage PHEV is also equipped with various advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features. Driver attention warning (DAW) monitors the driver attention level and alerts them if a brake is needed. It may also generate a leading vehicle departure alert if the leading vehicle moves from a stop and the driver does not react within a particular time period.

The vehicle’s LED headlights also come with high beam assist (HBA), which dims the headlights automatically when an approaching vehicle is detected then returns to high beams when the vehicle is no longer detected.

Lane following assist (LFA) helps identify lane markings and cars ahead and provides steering inputs to help the vehicle stay in the lane, while forward collision avoidance (FCA) notifies the driver if there is a potential collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist in front of the vehicle while driving and may automatically assist with brakes. Rear occupant alert (ROA), on the other hand, warns the driver to check the rear seat before getting out of the vehicle.

The rear view monitor (RVM) gives a view of the surroundings behind the vehicle, as well as guidelines that adjust to the direction the vehicle is turning. Meanwhile, the reverse parking distance warning (PDW-R) emits an audible warning when it detects certain objects behind the vehicle. The warning tone gets louder as the vehicle comes closer to the detected object.

Blind spot collision avoidance (BCA) helps prevent crashes with rear-side vehicles when exiting a parallel parking spot by automatically assisting with brakes, while rear cross-traffic collision avoidance-assist (RCCA) aids in the detection of incoming cross traffic when in reverse. The system notifies the driver and may apply brakes if approaching cross traffic is detected.

Safe exit warning (SEW) gives a warning when another car approaches from behind while someone is departing the vehicle, while intelligent speed limit assist (ISLA) makes use of speed limit information from the front camera or GPS navigation information to provide a warning if the speed exceeds the speed limit.

Aside from these features, the Sportage X-Line Prestige PHEV AWD also comes standard with blind-spot view monitor (BVM), forward parking distance warning (PDW-F), highway driving assist (HAD), navigation-based smart cruise control-curve (NSCC-C), reverse parking collision avoidance (PCA-R), remote smart parking assist (RSPA), and smart cruise control (SCC) with stop-and-go.

The Kia Sportage PHEV is set to hit the US market in the third quarter of 2022, with price to be revealed closer to the vehicle’s official launch.

Do you think we'll ever get to see this delightful-looking PHEV here in the Philippines?

Photos from Kia

Also read: Stonic paces Kia PH sales growth in 2021