2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid’s $28,545 Starting Price Undercuts Rivals

With gas prices hovering near record highs, fuel efficiency has become a high priority for many shoppers. Those looking for a hybrid SUV will soon have another option: The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is expected to join its redesigned gas-only counterpart at dealerships this spring, followed by a plug-in hybrid variant later this year. Kia has announced pricing for its new hybrid; here’s a breakdown of the model’s trim levels, features and pricing, plus a price comparison against its biggest rivals.

Related: 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Joins the Party

Powertrain and Efficiency

All Sportage Hybrid models are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and 44-kilowatt electric motor that make a combined 227 horsepower; a six-speed automatic transmission is standard. In comparison, the gas-only Sportage gets 187 hp from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic. In addition to the higher horsepower, the hybrid is expected to offer a significant edge in fuel efficiency. Although there is no EPA rating yet, Kia is targeting a maximum 39 mpg combined — the gas-only Sportage gets an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined.

Features and Pricing

The 2023 Sportage Hybrid comes in three trims: LX, EX and SX-Prestige. The base Sportage LX hybrid starts at $28,545 (all prices include destination charge) and comes with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The EX and SX-Prestige come with standard AWD and start at $32,245 and $37,445, respectively. The LX gets standard cloth seats, while the EX and SX-Prestige offer leatherette (imitation leather) seats. Heated seats and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel are additional upgrades that come standard in the top two trims.

Standard technology features for the base trim level include an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. The EX and SX-Prestige get a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and SiriusXM; wireless charging also comes standard on the higher trims. A suite of advanced driver assistance systems comes standard across all trims and includes driver attention warning, hands-on lane-centering steering, lane keep assist and forward collision avoidance with cyclist detection and autonomous emergency braking.

The starting price for the base model is $1,340 higher than the gas-only Sportage LX; the EX hybrid carries a $1,240 premium compared with the gas-only model with AWD; and the SX-Prestige hybrid’s starting price comes in $940 above its gas-only counterpart with AWD.

Versus the Competition

The 2023 Sportage will rival a handful of compact hybrid SUVs including the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Sportage’s sub-$30,000 starting price is unique among its class, although it’s worth noting that the CR-V, Tucson and RAV4 offer standard AWD, exclusively. The 2022 Escape Hybrid with FWD starts at $30,415; the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid starts at $32,835; the 2022 Tucson Hybrid and 2022 RAV4 LE Hybrid start at $30,595 and $30,290, respectively.

 More From Cars.com:

• 2023 Kia Sportage Revealed With More Room, More Power, More Style
• Kia Expands 2023 Sportage Lineup With New Plug-In Hybrid
• 2022 Kia Sportage Returns With a Starting Price of $25,265
• Pricing Announced for 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
• What’s New for Kia in 2022?

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