Kia Sportage Hybrid tested: fuel-sipping hybrid takes the fight to Toyota

Hybrid sales are booming and Toyota dominates the market, but its overwhelming success has bred a new generation of well-credentialed rivals.

The Sportage Hybrid is more expensive than petrol variants but comparable with the RAV4 on price. Picture: Supplied.

Kia was all in on electric cars … until it wasn’t.

The popular car maker originally planned to sidestep hybrids and move straight into EVs, but strong customer demand for petrol-electric cars has prompted a rethink.

Hybrid sales have more than doubled in the first quarter of this year, as Toyota has improved its supply and competitors have entered the market.

The Sportage Hybrid is the latest addition to a Kia hybrid line-up that includes the Sorento and Niro SUVs. A hybrid version of the Carnival people-mover will arrive later this year.

Buyers have two options: the mid-tier Sportage SX Hybrid we’ve tested or the fully-loaded GT-Line variant. Both are front-wheel drive only.

The Sportage is an attractive option for families looking to save on fuel bills. Picture: Supplied.

Prices start at about $50,500 drive-away for the SX and jump to more than $60,000 for the top-shelf model – a hefty premium over the petrol-powered versions.

A petrol front-wheel drive SX variant costs just $41,800 drive-away and a GT-Line petrol is about $54,700 but has the added benefit of all-wheel drive.

The two hybrids are similarly priced to an equivalent Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, though.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery that delivers 169kW and 350Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Kia claims the Sportage hybrid drinks 4.9L/100km, which is slightly more than the RAV4’s 4.7L/100km claim.

Kia claims the Sportage Hybrid will use less than 5L/100km. Picture: Supplied.

A small “HEV” badge on the rear is the only noticeable styling difference between the hybrid and petrol version.

It’s a bold looking SUV with jagged LED headlights, a prominent front grille and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Step inside the SX Hybrid and there are cloth wrapped seats that are manually adjustable, a faux-leather steering wheel and a rotary dial in place of the traditional gear shifter.

There are dual 12.3-inch screens, one for the infotainment and the other for the driver’s display.

A six-speaker stereo and satnav are standard and there are two USB charging ports up front. A physical key in place of a push-button starter feels a bit cheap for the price, though.

The cabin is a bit of a mixed bag, with some classy inclusions but a lot of hard plastic below eye level. Picture: Supplied.

Step up to the GT-Line and there are faux-leather and suede power-adjustable front seats that are heated and ventilated, a driver display with multiple layouts and a wireless device charger.

The interior is well put together and looks classy at first glance, thanks to some soft-touch surfaces and gloss black highlights. Look a little further, though, and you’ll spot some hard, shiny plastics.

The seats are comfy, with plenty of adjustment to accommodate drivers of all sizes.

Back-seat leg room is above average for this size of vehicle and the boot space is excellent.

Unfortunately, the extra hybrid hardware under the floor means that Kia has had to sacrifice the full-size spare tyre found in the petrol version for a temporary spare.

Large LED headlights dominate the front of the car. Picture: Supplied.

All safety bases are covered, with seven airbags and a wide array of driver aids.

On the road the Sportage hybrid is a capable performer with plenty of grunt on tap from its petrol electric combo.

It feels zippy around town and composed at motorway speeds, with ample shove for overtaking.

It’s silent on start-up and on takeoff from the lights, the petrol engine only kicking in once you’ve started rolling.

Pairing a turbo petrol engine with a standard six-speed automatic is a win for drivers.

The Sportage hybrid is good to drive. Picture: Supplied.

It’s quieter and more refined than other variants in the Sportage range and you don’t need to push it as hard to access the power reserves, compared to rival hybrids.

The steering is lighter than the other Sportages and it lacks some feedback.

The 4.9L/100km claim is a stretch but you’ll get more bang for your buck at the bowser than standard petrol models.

Kia guarantees the Sportage Hybrid for seven years and unlimited km but the capped price servicing program is expensive at $4502 for seven years.

VERDICT

Three and a half stars

A quality addition to Kia’s local line-up that gives families another safe and efficient SUV to consider.

Kia Sportage Hybrid SX

PRICE About $50,500 drive-away

ENGINE 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and single electric motor, 169kW and 350Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICING seven years/unlimited km, $4502 over seven years

SAFETY Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit warning, driver attention warning and rear occupant alert.

THIRST 4.9L/100km

SPARE Temporary spare

LUGGAGE 543 litres

Originally published as Kia Sportage Hybrid tested: fuel-sipping hybrid takes the fight to Toyota