Review of Kia Sportage hybrid finds refinement yet not massive running cost savings

Buyers seem to like the concept of electric vehicles with a petrol engine back-up. Kia now offers the Sportage with a hybrid option.

All the automotive buzz has centred around electrics of late.

Yet looking at the figures, it’s evident buyers aren’t convinced.

Looking at the first half of 2024, sales of EVs climbed 50 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Meanwhile, the quiet achiever is hybrids. It seems the combination of electric and petrol power is now proving more convincing with hybrid vehicles escalating 125 per cent over the same period.

Kia’s Sportage is the biggest seller for the brand Down Under. Offering the “Goldilocks” size of not too big or too small, the SUV has recently become even more alluring with a hybrid option.

With claimed fuel consumption of less than five litres for every 100km, it’s a proposition which Kia believes will find favour with many new car buyers and account for one in every five Sportages sold.

Only available in two specifications, the base model SX (which our family tested) starts from about $50,000 as well as the GT-Line which costs an extra $10k.

What do you get?

That asking price is about $8500 more than the equivalent petrol-powered SX, and a $3000 premium over the diesel.

Compared to the barebones ‘S’ Sportage, the SX has some luxuries, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen which delivers some serious class to the dash, along with a 4.2-inch LCD driver display. Other features include satnav, dual-zone aircon, alloy wheels, keyless entry, steering wheel paddle shifters along with a six-speaker sound system partnered with smartphone mirroring apps.

The subdued colour scheme options won’t get too many hearts racing, with the white hue attracting no additional cost. Grey, blue, red or black adds $520.

All Kias still have one of the best warranties in the business at seven years and unlimited kilometres. One warranty caveat with the hybrid versions is the battery coverage that is also seven years but restricted to 150,000km.

Like other turbo petrol models, the hybrid requires servicing every 10,000km or annually. Diesel and non-turbo petrol models have 15,000km intervals.

Kia servicing can seem expensive even though it’s capped for seven years, yet it’s worth comparing the fine print with competitors for inclusions as the Kia maintenance is usually more comprehensive.

Yet the hybrid is hefty in terms of maintenance, seven services cost $4502, which is about $600 more than the turbo petrol model and nearly $1000 more than the diesel.

The base model Sportage hybrid has a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 4.2-inch LCD driver display, satnav, dual-zone aircon, keyless entry, steering wheel paddle shifters along with a six-speaker sound system.

How was the drive?

Our average fuel consumption was 5.7L for every 100km. Not quite the sub-five litres claimed by Kia, but nonetheless reasonably thrifty.

We’ve sampled the smaller Hyundai i30 and Kona hybrids in the past month where we averaged about one litre less with a similar combination of metropolitan, highway and rural driving.

With the absence of a push-button start, turning the key and achieving no engine sound can initially prove challenging.

Using the power stored in the battery, the Sportage takes off silently and the engine only fires once you get closer to 50km/h or accelerate aggressively. When reversing it emanates a futuristic whirr to warn pedestrians as otherwise there would be silence.

Transitioning between battery and petrol power is virtually seamless and the Sportage rides beautifully in varying conditions.

Its acceleration is responsive and the overall balance is hard to fault.

During our test in the hybrid Kia Sportage fuel consumption was 5.7L/100km.

Would you buy one?

Kel: We’ve driven a couple of base models from Hyundai and Kia in recent weeks. Heated seats and push-button start are features I love, meaning I’d have to step up into the GT-Line. That would mean closer to $60,000 but I liked everything about the driving experience and space in the hybrid Sportage. We’ve owned a diesel version previously, and I’d have no hesitation in buying another.

Grant: For those chasing pure efficiency and cost savings, buyers need to crunch the numbers. We’ve managed similar fuel consumption numbers in the diesel version, so with the higher hybrid servicing costs I’d find it hard to go past the oil-burner. The hybrid is a lovely drive, quiet and composed, and for those regularly sitting in stop-start traffic it would make more sense. I too like the size and driving experience in the Sportage, but for our lifestyle I’d stick with the diesel.

Originally published as Review of Kia Sportage hybrid finds refinement yet not massive running cost savings