2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Australian details and prices

Buyers on the hunt for an affordable family SUV that will save them money at the bowser are in luck with the arrival of a long awaited rival to the RAV4.

Kia is the latest brand to embrace hybrid power.

The booming car maker has launched its Sportage Hybrid mid-size SUV to rival the popular Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Kia Australia boss Damien Meredith believes the Sportage Hybrid will strengthen the brand’s electrified line-up.

Kia has finally brought out its answer to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

“The Sportage range is an integral part of Kia’s sales initiatives and we anticipate sales of the HEV to be around 300 per month, contributing 20 per cent of total Sportage sales volume,” he says.

“The Sportage Hybrid is another solid step in Kia’s progress of increasing electrified options to the Australian market.”

Kia’s rapid expansion of hybrid models in a sharp about turn for the company that orginally said they would skip the fuel sipping technolgy.

The Sportage Hybrid is available in two trim grades: SX and GT-Line. They are front-wheel drive only and priced from about $50,500 drive-away and $60,500 respectively – a hefty premium over the petrol-powered versions.

Prices start at more than $50,000 drive-away.

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

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

Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor and 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.

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

Due to the space restrictions of adding the hybrid tech Kia has replaced the full-size spare found in the petrol and diesel Sportages with a temporary spare wheel.

SX buyers can expect 18-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable cloth seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the driver’s instruments are a mix of analog dials and a small digital readout.

The GT-Line variant is loaded with luxury kit.

The GT-Line ups the luxe factor with leather appointed seats, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats that are power adjustable and a power tailgate. A 12.3-inch fully digital driver’s display, 64-colour ambient lighting and a premium Harman Kardon stereo add to the experience.

Kia is also bringing a hybrid version of the Carnival people mover later this year.

Supply of the hybrid will be limited as there is high demand from the US and Korean markets.

Kia Australia will only sell the Carnival hybrid in the fully-loaded Platinum grade.

There is no word on prices yet but expect it to start in the $80,000 drive-away range.

Originally published as 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Australian details and prices