Is The 2023 Kia Sportage A Good Car? What To Know

Published February 21, 2024
in Reliability

As you may know, Kia has been killing it for many years, with many of its models becoming bonafide best-sellers. Thanks to Kia’s focus on making high-quality but value-centric cars, consumers are generally happy with the South Korean company’s offerings – especially in the SUV category.

Speaking of Kia SUVs, one of the best-selling models is the Sportage. Many people appreciate the Sportage’s comfortable ride, spacious interior accommodating luggage, pets, and passengers, and wealth of standard features. If you’re interested in the Sportage, you’ll probably want to check out the 2023 model year.

But is the 2023 Kia Sportage a good car?

For today’s post, we will answer this burning question by highlighting several vital qualities of the 2023 Sportage and various areas of concern that will help with your buying decision.

Engine, Performance, and Fuel Economy

The 2023 Sportage offers a range of engine options, but only if you’re willing to look beyond the standard internal combustion engine. With that said, the 2023 Sportage comes with a base 2.5L four-cylinder that produces 187 horsepower, which should fare well in day-to-day driving. While it’s a capable engine for going from point A to B, it was criticized for its lethargic acceleration – about 8.6 to 9 seconds to reach 60 mph.

The 2023 Sportage’s appeal is broadened by including a 1.6L turbocharged hybrid engine, which delivers up to 227 horsepower. Additionally, a plug-in hybrid model is available that offers even greater power and efficiency, with the PHEV version boasting an impressive 261 horsepower. These advanced engines provide a more spirited performance and significantly improve fuel economy.

When driving the 2023 Kia Sportage, you may find that the engine requires more effort than expected in various situations, with the transmission often searching for the ideal gear. This means you’ll need to anticipate and prepare in advance for maneuvers like overtaking. On the brighter side, the Sportage offers precise steering and responsive brakes, enhancing the driving experience.

2023 Kia Sportage Fuel Economy

Below are the fuel economy ratings of the 2023 Sportage depending on model and drivetrain:

2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid

Gas & Electric: 84 MPGe combined
Regular Gas: 35 MPG combined (2.9 gal/100 mi)
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,050
Electric Range: 0-34 miles
Total Range: 430 miles

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid FWD

43 MPG combined (42 city/44 highway)
2.3 gal/100 mi
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,050
Total Range: 589 miles

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid AWD

38 MPG combined (38 city/38 highway)
2.6 gal/100 mi
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,200

2023 Kia Sportage FWD

28 MPG combined (25 city/32 highway)
3.6 gal/100 mi
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,650

2023 Kia Sportage AWD

25 MPG combined (23 city/28 highway)
4.0 gal/100 mi
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,850

For a more comprehensive look into the Sportage’s mpg ratings, please visit the EPA.gov website.

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Interior and Tech Features

The interior is a strong suit of the 2023 Kia Sportage. a stylish, quiet, and high-tech interior that doesn’t compromise on functionality. Its thoughtful design includes modern touches like touchscreen iconography reminiscent of neon signs while retaining practical physical buttons, which many people are fans of. Seating is roomy throughout the cabin, with generous space for passengers. However, front headroom might be snug for overly tall individuals.

Fortunately, the Sportage boasts a competitive rear legroom of 41.3 inches and is better than some of its most formidable competitors. This includes the 2023 Honda CR-V (40.4 inches), Toyota RAV4 (37.8 inches), Nissan Rogue (38.5 inches), and Subaru Forester (39.4 inches).

The solid list of standard features is another selling point of this SUV. Standard offerings include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, alongside multiple USB-A and -C ports for front and rear passengers. Plus, select trims boast a wireless charging pad and dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and the infotainment system, although the navigation system lacks live traffic updates.

KIA SPORTAGE PROS & CONS

It’s known for its roominess - but what else is there to understand? Those looking for a new car and considering this one should take a deep look at the Kia Sportage pros and cons.

Safety Features and Ratings

Is the 2023 Kia Sportage a good car? For some people, it depends on how safe the vehicle is. Safety-wise, the 2023 Sportage offers most of what you’ll want from a modern safety system, including these standard features:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Helps prevent accidents by automatically applying the brakes if a collision is imminent.
Lane Keeping Assist: Alerts the driver and can automatically steer the car back into its lane if it begins to drift without signaling.
Lane Following Assist: Keeps the vehicle centered in its lane while driving.
Driver Attention Warning: Monitors the driver’s attention and provides warnings if signs of fatigue or inattention are detected.
Rear Occupant Alert: Reminds the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle to prevent leaving children or pets behind.
High Beam Assist: Automatically dims high beams when oncoming traffic is detected.

Furthermore, optional features such as Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist are also available. For safety ratings, the 2023 Sportage has received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, while the IIHS has commended it with the Top Safety Pick award with “Good” scores across the board.

KIA SPORTAGE RESALE VALUE: WHAT TO KNOW

If you’re interested in the Sportage, it’s helpful to know more about it. There is one question few people tend to ask before buying - what’s the Kia Sportage resale value you can expect?

Long-Term Reliability and Lifespan

Historically, the Sportage is a highly reliable compact crossover with the potential for a long lifespan. According to RepairPal, the Sportage is the 6th most reliable compact SUV with a relatively low ownership cost. Meanwhile, Consumer Reports says the 2023 Sportage has average reliability compared to other new cars. For its longevity, the standard lifespan for a Sportage is between 150,000-200,000 miles. Ultimately, the 2023 Sportage is a newer model with plenty of life ahead of it. As such, we can only go with predicted reliability and longevity ratings.

Final Verdict: Is The 2023 Kia Sportage A Good Car?

Overall, the 2023 Kia Sportage is a reliable and value-oriented compact crossover. It offers a spacious interior, lots of standard tech, and respectable fuel economy. While it’s not the most spirited SUV in the segment (especially with the base engine), its other strengths make it a solid package. Is the 2023 Kia Sportage a good car? Absolutely!

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