Kia reveals all-new 2023 Sportage subcompact crossover SUV
Kia has unveiled an all-new 2023 Sportage, representing the fifth generation of the brand's popular subcompact crossover SUV. The new generation Sportage is significantly larger, more capable and powerful, and Kia expects it to be more fuel efficient when evaluated by the EPA. Kia also announced that the new Sportage will be assembled alongside the award-winning Telluride, Sorento, and K5 at Kia's manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia.
Available trims
The Sportage offers several trims at varying price points, including the LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige and X-Line, while the all-new Sportage X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige trims are equipped with off-road ready features including all-terrain tires.
Following the mid-size Sorento Hybrid, the new Sportage will also be available with a hybrid drivetrain. Kia plans to reveal more about that option and other powertrains at a later date. The basic gasoline-fueled Sportage is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2022.
Exterior and interior features
The new Sportage offers a departure in exterior stylings. Kia's signature "tiger nose" grille gets more technical with floating design, perched above blacked out grille graphic that spans the entire width of the front fascia. The Sportage will feature boomerang-shaped daytime running lights, angular fenders, and crisp sculpture lines down the sides.
The new Sportage comes with a newly-designed interior intended to transform the cabin into a pleasant living space. The cockpit is a futuristic design with an available panoramic curved display screen that combines multiple screens into a seamless display space almost 25 inches wide. The console and dash place controls within easy reach of the driver.
Utility vehicle
Kia offers several vehicle options in the small SUV market, including the Soul and Seltos as well as the hybrid or electric Niro. To distinguish the Sportage from the rest of the family, Kia has made the new generation one of the largest SUVs in the subcompact class. Thus, the Sportage now offers best-in-class rear legroom, giving second-row passengers a more relaxing space. The new Sportage is 7.1 inches longer than the outgoing model, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. The new model is also slightly taller and wider than the last generation. The 2023 Sportage offers a total of 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, which is also the best in the subcompact SUV class.
Technology
The new Sportage supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on all trims, and uses a touchpad controller with climate and audio functions under the infotainment screen. A bird's-eye 360-degree back camera system is available, along with wireless device charging and a Harman Kardon audio system.
Engine and driveline options
The new Sportage comes with a new 2.5-liter engine targeted at 187 horsepower, mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. You can choose front-wheel or all-wheel-drive. Additionally, the X-Line and X-Pro trims come with off-road capable features like B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires on off-road wheels, LED lights, Multi-Terrain drive modes, and heated/ventilated seats.
Advanced driver assistance The new Sportage offers a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including a driver attention warning, high beam assist, lane following and keeping assist, forward collision mitigation and avoidance, and parking distance warnings, on top of all standard safety features. The new Sportage will even keep to the posted speed limits on the highway if you tell it to do so. If equipped, the navigation system will also interact with the adaptive cruise control to slow down for known upcoming road features like curves and exit ramps.
Availability
Kia expects that the new Sportage will be on sale at dealers in the first three months of 2022. Talk to your preferred area Kia dealer about reservations and on-sale dates. Pricing has not yet been announced.
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