Kia has always been known as a cost-effective value brand, and though value brands are vastly considered cheaper than others, Kia has proven to change the game through its state-of-the-art technology, attractive and efficient design, and competitive prices. Kia’s newest upcoming vehicle, the 2023 Sportage, is no different.
Kia’s Sportage is one of the best compact crossover SUVs in the market, side by side with cars such as the Nissan Rogue and the Honda CR-V. However, almost all automobile companies have compact SUVs under their names.
So Kia has decided to redesign the Sportage once more, improving practically every feature and guaranteeing it stands out among the rest.
Read on and find out whether the latest Kia Sportage is worth your buck!
The New And Improved Kia Sportage 2023
The last Sportage wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t a standout vehicle. Apart from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it was pretty standard in the compact SUV market.
On the other hand, the redesigned 2023 model has new and improved features such as increased cargo capacity, a roomier interior, a long list of the latest automotive tech, and much more.
Some unique features of the 2023 Kia Sportage are:
- A unique grille design
- Futuristic-looking headlights mounted on bigger and bolder bodywork
- A roomier, comfortable, and stylish interior
- Increased cargo space
- A huge dashboard-mounted screen
- A 187-hp turbocharged four-cylinder
The 2023 Kia Sportage is neck and neck with competitors like the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5. But the newest Sportage brings much more to the table than a unique new exterior with its storage space, advanced technology, and good value.
Comfortable And Accessible
If comfort is a priority for you, look no further. The 2023 Sportage offers incredibly comfortable seating with great cushioning and excellent support. The front seats feature ventilation and heating adjustments, while the rear seats have a greater range of adjustable recline. Moreover, the suspension of this model is softly tuned, enabling it to absorb force from bumpy terrain.
The interior is comparatively quiet – Kia has done an excellent job keeping the cabin free of unwanted rattles. Not only that, but the temperature control layout is effective at maintaining your desired cabin climate. The touch panel controls double as media controls when not in use too.
On the other hand, the seats in this model do not have a great range of adjustments. The upholstery is pretty standard-looking as well, though it does feel durable. Moreover, the softly-tuned suspension can sometimes cause the car to bob up and down if the road is uneven, which could potentially trigger carsickness.
Interior Design
Once again, Kia has designed a stylish, accessible, and user-friendly interior for its newest Sportage without compromising its functionality. The interior has Sportage’s most useful physical buttons and the touchscreen, which features temperature and media control under modern, neon-colored iconography.
The all-wheel-drive Sportage is designed with 8.3-inch ground clearance, so the car is relatively higher to step into. However, it is still a comparatively easy car to board with its squared-off doors and body dimensions.
The vehicle has massive windows, which, along with its dimensions, significantly increase visibility. All passenger space is well-distributed within the cabin except for the headroom up front; it may be too less for people over 6 feet tall.
New Technology
Apart from standard features like USB-A and -C ports, Apple CarPlay, and so forth, the Sportage offers a wireless charging pad and 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and the instrument group. Though there is no live traffic information, the car’s navigation is easy to operate.
On top of that, the vehicle features several driving aids like blind-spot monitoring, parking assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view monitor, all of which are very efficient.
For example, smart Park lets you put the Sportage in or out of a parking spot using the key fob, while the adaptive cruise control can hold good gaps without constantly activating the brakes.
Storage Space
Regarding the non-negotiable feature of any modern SUV, the 2023 Sportage lives up to expectations. It has 39.6 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row of seats, which turns 74.1 cubic feet when the row is folded down.
In addition, you can fold down the rear seats from their hatch with easy-to-use car seat anchors. This makes Sportage one of the most spacious compact SUVs on the market.
The rest of the cabin isn’t far behind either; the cupholders are cleverly designed, retracting into the walls to create larger spaces for more extensive beverages or other items. The center console houses USB ports and the wireless pad under a lidded bin, with enough space to hold more than just a phone.
To top it all off, the Sportage can carry up to 2,500 pounds when well-equipped. If that isn’t impressive, then we don’t know what is.
Performance
All that glitters is not gold, and unfortunately, the Sportage’s on-road performance isn’t nearly as impressive as its physical features. During tests, the Sportage 2023 is reported to have less power than expected, taking more than 9.5 seconds to reach a speed of 60mph – much slower than other class leader vehicles.
The X-Pro trim does have all-terrain tires, which makes on-road driving softer and smoother. However, no other engines are offered (unless you opt for the Hybrid); this one, unfortunately, makes driving more difficult than it should be.
The transmission seems to be constantly looking for the right gear, and driving the vehicle means having to plan passing maneuvers way beforehand.
That said, the steering is reportedly easy and efficient. The brakes are also effective and smooth. However, it’s the engine that puts a real damper on the overall performance of the car.
Fuel Economy
The Sportage X-Pro returns approximately 25 mpg combined with all-terrain tires in the all-wheel-drive system. But, again, nothing to write home about – many competitors’ vehicles return much better efficiency.
On top of this, the Sportage is comparatively much slower; during tests, it managed 26.4 mpg on a 115-mile highway route. This suggests the Sportage should meet its fuel economy estimates, but this number will decrease if you’re heavy on gas around the city.
Is The 2023 Sportage A Good Value?
The Sportage is full to the brim with new features, tech, and upgrades, feeling like a good value purchase. It offers an attractive, sound-built cabin and premium luxuries, which many competitors do not. However, this time, it does not have as much of a price advantage over them as before.
That said, Kia offers a 5-year (60,000 miles) basic warranty and roadside assistance, with the company covering the powertrain for 10 years. It’s no secret that an offer as great as this hasn’t been made by competitors except Hyundai, so it may just be too good to pass on.
Keep in mind, however, that the Kia Sportage 2023 has yet to be tested for safety. Once it is tested and reviewed by the NHTSA and IIHS, we’ll know if it matches with competitors like the Hyundai Tucson, which was ranked the Top Safety Pick of 2022 by both organizations. If the 2023 Sportage can top its 4 out of the 5-star score, it might just change the game.
Conclusion
There’s no question that Kia Sportage has improved dramatically. For buyers seeking comfort, a user-friendly design, and a smooth, stable ride, the 2023 Sportage is more than what they want.
If you’re one of them, look no further – here at Auffenberg Kia of Cape Girardeau, we offer a variety of car financing and leasing services. This way, you can get your hands on your dream Kia, even if you’re not looking to purchase right now. So what are you waiting for? Head on to our website, or visit us at 61 S Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.