Offering best-in-class space, absolutely striking design, and three distinct powertrains, the 2023 Kia Sportage is the fifth-generation version of Kia Canada's longest-running product.
The Sportage is actually the vehicle that got it all started for Kia Canada. Remember these ads?
23 years later, Kia's new Sportage is quite a bit more advanced than the swamp-touring 2000 model, but it retains a rugged and value-oriented approach to everyday SUV driving. It's also quite a bit more spacious thanks to overall length that stretches eight inches farther, bumper to bumper, than the outgoing 2022 model. Riding on an altered version of the Kia N3 platform that also underpins the Sorento, the new Sportage is perfectly suited to fulfilling its role as the heart of the Kia lineup, wedged between the hot-selling Seltos and three-row Sorento.
We Now Have Detailed Equipment Levels And Pricing For The 2023 Sportage – Read More
MODELS
Starting at $28,395 as a front-wheel-drive model and $30,395 with all-wheel-drive, the 2023 Kia Sportage lineup kicks off with the LX. Kia will then offer two different all-wheel-drive X-Line versions of the Sportage: the $33,995 X-Line and the $40,995 X-Line Limited at the top of the lineup. In between those two X-Lines are two EX models, both with all-wheel drive: the $35,595 Sportage EX and the $37,595 Sportage EX Premium.
ENGINES
Although details related to the trim availability and pricing for each powertrain remain unknown for the moment – we'll update as soon as we know more – the Sportage will be sold in Canada for the first time with three different powertrain options.
The standard engine is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder cranking out 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Expect combined fuel economy, city and highway, of around 9.5 L/100km for the all-wheel-drive version.
The first powertrain upgrade on the list is a 227-horsepower turbo hybrid. It's a 1.6-liter engine connected to a 44kW electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery creating an outstanding 258 lb-ft of torque.
The 2023 Sportage's third powertrain is a plug-in version of the turbo hybrid with even more horsepower (261) and a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery/66.9 kW electric motor combo that's completely capable of powering the Sportage over 50 kilometres without turning the engine on. You don't need to plug-in the Sportage PHEV to an electric charger in order to go anywhere – the 1.6 turbo operates essentially as a range extender. But with fuel prices over $1.70/litre, tapping into cheap electricity is a very appealing option, particularly considering the fact that many of us in Prince Edward Island commute less than 50 kilometres per day.
Better yet, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV will be eligible for $2,500 rebates from both the province and the federal government for a combined $5,000 in savings. There's even a free Level 2 home charger shipped straight to you from the provincial government through the PEI Universal EV Incentive. All of the rebates are applied directly by Centennial Kia, meaning you don't need to complete the paperwork.
TIMING
The 2023 Sportage arrives in the next few weeks in the spring of 2022. The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is expected in the early summer of 2022. The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV – that's the plug-in hybrid – is set to be released late in the summer of 2022.
