The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige AWD SUV

The Bottom Line: What is a Sportage? A Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built in the Gwangju assembly plant in Korea, and sold worldwide by Kia. The performance, power and reliability of the 2023 Kia Sportage is on par with similar SUV’s like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and the Toyota RAV4.

The compact crossover class has 17 SUV’s for sale with names that we all know, and they are: the Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota RAV-4, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Ford Bronco, Ford Bronco Sport, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Buick Encore, and the Kia Sportage. That’s a lot models to sort thru when you want to buy a new compact sized SUV, so let’s try to narrow the list down a bit.

To start with, the redesigned 2023 Sportage is one of the roomiest compact SUV’s in this class. The base engine, a 4 cylinder mated to an 8 speed automatic, returns 25 mpg. The hybrid version is the one to get, because it is quicker, quieter, and gets 35 mpg. The gas and electric rating is 84 MPGe, and the electric driving range is 34 miles on a full charge, and that only takes 2 hours to fill up on a 240 volt level II outlet, at home, or on the road.

This week Kia sent me a 2023 Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige AWD SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price is $42,990 for this Prestige Hybrid model. The options on the press SUV are: none. The MSRP manufactures suggested retail price, including the $1,295 destination charge, came to: $44,285.

After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to: $49,821. If your budget is capped right at $50 Grand, then this is the perfect compact crossover hybrid SUV for you.

The Sportage PHEV edition has a 1.6 L liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, that’s bolted to a 6 speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters and drive mode select. Power and torque is then sent into an AWD all wheel drive transfer case with a center locking differential, assisted by an electronic parking brake, with auto hold.

And what is a PHEV? A PHEV, a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, works in a similar way as a standard Hybrid. There is a gas engine, combined with an electric motor, and a battery pack. However, in a plug-in hybrid, the battery pack is much larger than in a basic hybrid, and it is rechargeable from an external plug in outlet, at either a 110 volt level I charger, or on a 240 volt level II charger.

The 2023 Sportage X-Line Prestige is a great compact SUV. It features a spacious cabin, with class leading cargo space and rear seat legroom, cutting edge interior tech, and a long list of standard amenities, starting with: a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 8 speakers and 315 watts of power, LED projection headlights, LED fog lights, LED rear combination lights, smart cruise control with stop & go, a blind spot monitor, a surround view monitor, highway driving assist, remote smart parking assist, parking collision avoidance assist in reverse, parking distance warning going forward, a power driver’s seat with memory, power adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, a 12.3″ supervision cluster, a heated steering wheel, a heated windshield and alloy pedals.

The exterior upgrades start with a set of 18″ gloss black alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof with a power shade, heated outside mirrors with LED turn signals, a roof rack, a rear deck spoiler, and rear privacy glass. And since this is a Kia, the warranty coverage is for 10 years / 100,000 miles on the entire powertrain, 10 years / 100,000 miles on the hybrid battery pack, 5 years / 60,000 miles on the entire SUV, and 5 years / 60,000 miles of roadside assistance, all included in the best warranty in the class, for no extra charge.

So, when you’re ready to buy a new compact SUV, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige AWD SUV should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s rated as one of the best optioned PHEV SUV’s for sale in the entire compact crossover hybrid class.

Call, click or visit your local Kia dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the new 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige AWD SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Sportage starts at only $26,290. Kia – Movement that Inspires.

Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today”.

This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a “Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense” editorial  provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net