2024 KIA Sportage Plug-In Hybrid: PHEV That Has a More Powerful Electric Motor
2024 KIA Sportage Plug-In Hybrid – The Sportage nameplate first appeared in 1993 and has slowly changed from an old-school body-on-frame SUV with good four-wheel drive to a unibody crossover with all-wheel drive, ditching the available V-6 engines.
Along the way for a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This PHEV version is just the latest in a series of modernization measures for the Sportage.
2024 KIA Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
It has been an exciting and fully competitive small SUV for generations, delivering sportier drives and sharper performance than its Hyundai Tucson relatives.
Kia Sportage is likely to receive a redesign for 2024 and grow all kinds of new variants. A hybrid model was revealed a few months ago, and now we have details about the plug-in-hybrid model, which will go on sale in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2022.
It will join the Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4, and is closely linked to the Hyundai Tucson in offering plug-in options for compact SUV buyers.
Sportage Hybrid Engine
The Sportage Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and an electric motor. But the plug-in version gets a more powerful electric motor and a larger battery that is said to provide a 32-mile electric range at full charge.
Kia won’t say the total output of the hybrid powertrain, but we think it’s pretty much the same as the Tucson PHEV and the larger Kia Sorento PHEV, both of which produce 261 hp. The six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive put the Sportage’s plug-in power to the ground.
The Sportage plug-in looks pretty much the same as other Sportage models but becomes standard with the X-Line display pack that adds some rough-looking visual elements.
It will be available in two trim levels, with additional more expensive X-Line Prestige equipment such as a premium audio system and additional driver assistance features.
The Plug-In Hybrid improves some of the main electric drive parts: The 13.8-kWh battery pack serves as an energy buffer for hybrid driving mode, just like the 1.49-kWh package used in the hybrid version also allows what Kia estimates to be 32 miles of EPA electricity.
Higher electric motor power (66.9 kW versus 44 kW) allows electric riding. It increases the Sportage PHEV hybrid system’s overall output until Kia rates it 261 hp and 258 lb-ft on the Sorento. Plug-In Hybrid, although specific specifications for the Sportage PHEV have not been released.
On the Level 2 (240V) charging connector, the 7.2 kW attached charger can fully charge the battery in about two hours.
The Sportage Plug-In Hybrid comes only in all-wheel-drive form—with a mechanical connection to the rear wheels rather than layouts like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and its separate rear motors. Kia has not revealed the expected mileage figures of the PHEV when running in hybrid mode, but the Sportage Hybrid is expected to produce 39 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.
2024 KIA Sportage Competitors
Competition for the Sportage PHEV includes the RAV4 Prime, Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid, and Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.
These three models covered 42, 37, and 33 miles, respectively, all-electric, thus putting the Sportage behind the pack in this case.
2024 KIA Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Features
The Plug-In Hybrid is only offered under the guise of the complete X-Line Sportage, including a full suite of active safety features, with a 12.3-inch dual-screen (one of which is a touchscreen) Apple CarPlay interface and Android Auto.
Navigate and monitor the surrounding view. The top prestige adds adaptive cruise control, a driver assistance system that will steer the vehicle in the lane with a specified speed limit, and a remote parking system.
The Sportage and Sorento plug-in hybrids aren’t the only models in Kia’s lineup with such powertrain options. The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid has been on offer since 2017, along with the Niro hybrid and Niro EV (electric) versions.
The Niro lineup will be fully redesigned for the 2023 model year, and Kia has not confirmed which models will return to the U.S.
2024 KIA Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Models
The Sportage PHEV will only come in X-Line trim, beating the LX, EX, S.X., and X-Pro variants available to regular buyers of the Sportage.
More luxurious Prestige packages are available—as in the S.X. and X-Pro on non-hybrid Sportages—but each PHEV comes standard with X-Line-style all-black 19-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, and a dedicated front. And the rear bumper.
LED taillights, headlights, and running headlights are standard, such as a pair of 12.3-inch dashboard displays (one for the driver, another for the center of the dashboard) and the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phones.
The Prestige variant uses the Harman/Kardon audio system, and a 360-degree parking camera is available.
The onboard 4G LTE data connection allows remote access (via the Kia app) to the vehicle, so owners can set charging parameters and start their Sportage remotely from their phone; Data connections also provide onboard wifi hotspots.
Safety
A complete list of safety equipment is included, including automatic high beams, lane guard assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and even Safe Exit Warning.
Other Sportage packages, including sharp new styles and modern and stylish interiors, were brought to Phev without changes.
Based on the interior measurements provided by Kia, it seems that the cargo area is somewhat shrunk compared to the regular Sportage, likely to make room for the battery; PHEV cargo volume was recorded at 34.5 cubic feet, while the normal model reached 36.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat.
2024 KIA Sportage Price
Kia has yet to reveal the price for the 2024 Sportage, but we can assume that the plug-in hybrid will be the most expensive model in the lineup.
It is likely to start in the mid-$30,000 range when it goes on sale in the U.S. later this year.
Does Kia have a Hybrid SUV?
Kia has finally released a hybrid SUV, and it’s better than ever. The all-new Kia Sportage Hybrid is packed with features that drivers will love, and it’s sure to turn heads on the road. If you’re looking for a hybrid SUV that can do it all, the Sportage Hybrid is perfect.
Are KIA Hybrid Cars Reliable?
Kia has a reputation for making reliable cars, and their hybrid models are no exception. If you’re considering a Kia hybrid, you can rest assured that you’re getting a dependable vehicle.
However, like any car, there are always some potential problems that could arise.
Is Kia Sportage Hybrid Coming to Australia?
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that has been popular in other markets for years. The Sportage was first introduced to the Australian market in 2016, but it wasn’t until 2019 that the hybrid version became available.
The hybrid Sportage is an excellent option for those who want to save on fuel costs and reduce their environmental impact.
How does a KIA Sportage Hybrid Work?
Kia Sportage hybrids are some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. They combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor to help power the car, resulting in better gas mileage.
