The Kia Sportage Hybrid has finally launched in Australia, joining the range nearly three years later. Is it the perfect medium SUV or is it too late?
The Sportage SUV was already a winning formula when it first released locally in late 2021 – but it was held back by a sluggish and uneconomical standard petrol engine.
Now, almost three years later, Kia Australia has belatedly added the Sportage Hybrid to the line-up.
Available for SX and GT-Line variants only, the series-parallel hybrid powertrain claims to bring low 4.9L/100km fuel efficiency and a power boost for a price premium of between $2500 and $8400.
With the South Korean carmaker supplying 300 units per month from launch, we tested the top-spec Hybrid GT-Line to find out whether the extra price is worth it over rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and full electric options including its very own Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y.
NOTE: The press vehicle was provided by Kia Australia for a seven-day independent evaluation. We have no commercial arrangements with the company and it had no editorial control.
Pros.
+ Fantastic fuel efficiency
+ Effortless power, refined hybrid
+ Excellent driving comfort
+ Spacious interior
+ Unique bold looks
Cons.
– High hybrid price premium and servicing costs
– Cheaper model wheel design on GT-Line
– Light blended brake pedal
– No AWD hybrid
– Facelift is coming soon
Vehicle tested:
| Model | 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid |
| Variant | GT-Line |
| Starting price | $55,420 (before on-road costs) |
| Exterior colour | Vesta Blue ($520) |
| Interior colour | GT-Line black leather/suede |
| Country made | South Korea |
Design and quality.
There’s little distinguishing the Sportage Hybrid, but it still offers a bold SUV design that feels more unique than Kia’s latest offerings.
Keen observers will note the front radar sensor has been shifted to the side, likely to accommodate the pedestrian warning speaker, while there is a tiny ‘HEV’ badge at the tailgate and the mandatory blue electric vehicle label on each licence plate.
Disappointingly, due to the hybrid riding on smaller 18-inch alloys, Kia has elected to use the same wheel design as the SX on the top-spec GT-Line – making it look cheaper.
For reference, its Hyundai sibling brand keeps the same wheel design for each variant, despite the smaller wheel for hybrid models.
Otherwise, it’s like any other Sportage SUV in the wild with a modern and bold design that hasn’t aged much since its 2021 launch – which feels more unique than Kia’s edgier theme deployed universally on other new models.
Key highlights include an aggressive gloss black grille, boomerang-style LED daytime running lights, and a cleverly hidden rear wiper.
Similarly, the interior still looks contemporary and sporty, with the GT-Line gaining curved displays and 64-colour adjustable ambient lighting that wraps the centre console and front passenger dashboard – although the latter is inconsistently dimmer.
However, the flagship GT-Line also adopts faux wood grain dash and door cards – which appears to give a more classy vibe, rather than fitting with the sporty variant badge.
Gloss black surfaces adorn the centre console and air vent surrounds – which are prone to sticking dust, fingerprint and minor scratches – and won’t age well over time as a family car.
Overall interior material quality is good, with harder plastics lower down the console and doors, and back row.
Practicality.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line dimensions:
| Length x width x height | 4660 x 1865 x 1680mm |
| Wheelbase | 2755mm |
| Ground clearance | 181mm |
| Boot space (min / rear seats folded) | 586 / 1872 litres |
| Rear seat split fold | 60:40 |
| Child seat anchors | 2x ISOFIX + 3x top tethers (rear seats) |
The Kia Sportage Hybrid offers an impressively practical family-friendly interior, with more boot space than petrol and diesel-only models.
The 586-litre boot is large with a flat loading lip and the ability to lower the floor to store taller items on the GT-Line.
The hybrid Sportage actually offers 43 litres more boot volume due to the use of a temporary space-saver spare wheel, rather than the full-size alloy on regular models.
Despite this, there are still only two small and difficult to access hooks placed at the outer edge of the boot – which can only attach thin strings, rather than a backpack. Fortunately, a cargo net is included on the GT-Line.
Meanwhile, the Sportage midsize SUV’s rear seat space is roomy with fantastic legroom and headroom, with passengers easily able to stretch out their feet underneath the front seats. There is a notable centre floor hump, though.
The second row also benefits from a fold-down centre armrest with cup holders, rear air vents, tinted rear windows, front headrest coat hooks, and two USB-C charging ports – but lacks the built-in window sunshades available on larger Kia SUVs.
Strangely, both front seatbacks offer two sturdy bag hooks. While welcome, anything hooked on it will impede on rear passenger leg space. All door pockets are limited in space.
Additionally, the front row offers its signature pop-out cup holders at the centre console with grippy teeth, a well-sized centre armrest cubby and glovebox.
The Sportage GT-Line includes bright interior LED ceiling lights across both rows, a large openable panoramic sunroof, and leather seats with artificial suede inserts.
Despite the inclusion of two-position memory for the drivers seat on the GT-Line, it doesn’t automatically dip-down the wing mirrors when reversing.
The Qi wireless charging pad storage area is deep and can be hidden via a gloss black cover. While it fits large smartphones, since the Kia hybrid SUV still requires a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it is too small and narrow with a wire connected; my phone was often ‘floating’ in the air due to the cable protruding from the device.
The Sportage GT-Line’s seats are very comfortable and supportive. The front row comes with three-level heating or ventilation, the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable with lumbar support, and there’s a single-stage heated steering wheel for the first time for a Sportage in Australia.
An interesting quirk is that the front passenger is faced with three separate directional air vents.
The two-zone climate control is operated via a multi-function touchscreen strip that switches between climate and infotainment shortcut buttons, as debuted on the Kia EV6 electric car.
While simplistic, the dials are small and lack resistance so you’ll need a delicate finger to change the temperature, and it can be fiddly to press a button in order to switch between the two functions.
Technology.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line tech features:
| 12.3-inch touchscreen running Standard Gen5W Navigation software | 12.3-inch driver’s instrument display |
| Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 1x USB-A data + 3x USB-C charging ports |
| Built-in maps | 2x 12-volt power sockets |
| Eight speaker Harman Kardon Premium audio | Proximity key with auto folding mirrors and push button start |
| Qi wireless charging pad |
The Sportage Hybrid offers a functional technology setup, but is now considered outdated compared to newer Kia models.
The dual 12.3-inch displays run on the older Standard Gen5W Navigation operating system, rather than the latest Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) offered on newer models such as the Sorento, Carnival, and EV9.
Unfortunately, this means Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired, requiring owners to plug in the only USB-A port for smartphone projection in the tight tray and essentially makes the Qi wireless charging pad redundant.
Yet, while Standard Gen5W Navigation software is starting to look dated with a slower processor, it mostly offers the same functionality as ccNC, features a more colourful purple user interface theme, and more unique instrument display themes suited to each drive mode including a cool-looking weather theme that adjusts according to the time.
The two displays are joined in a single curved panel and have a matte coating, but still attracts fingerprints and dust.
Despite the almost $60K drive-away price tag, the Sportage Hybrid GT-Line still doesn’t feature a head-up display.
It doesn’t feature Kia Connect services with a mobile app either – but the rumoured facelifted Sportage is expected to bring it along with ccNC software soon.
Safety.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line safety features:
| Front AEB with vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist/junction detection | 360-degree camera system |
| Blind-spot assist | Blind-spot view cameras |
| Rear cross-traffic assist | Front and rear parking sensors |
| Lane-keep and lane-centring assist | Lead vehicle departure alert |
| Door open warning | Full LED headlights with auto high beam assist |
| Rear occupant alert (basic type) | Full LED tail-lights |
The Sportage SUV features a range of reliable and non-intrusive active safety assistance systems.
The handy and aggression-free lane-centring assist can be activated at any speed without enabling adaptive cruise control, the 360-degree and blind-spot view cameras exclusive on the GT-Line are clear, and door open warning (i.e. Safe Exit Warning) is excellent.
While the radar-based adaptive cruise works well at keeping a distance with the vehicle in front, it could benefit from some fine-tuning on the Sportage Hybrid – as initially accelerating with the electric motor is a touch too abrupt and quick.
Unfortunately, Remote Smart Parking Assist – where owners can move the vehicle forwards or backwards via the key – remains exclusive to the diesel-powered Sportage GT-Line only.
LED headlights and tail-lights are standard, with the former offering good reach and spread at night. The flagship GT-Line has the advantage of prominent front and rear LED turn indicators, plus front LED fog lights.
The Kia Sportage Hybrid carries the same five-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) under older 2022 testing criteria, as per non-electrified models. The safety rating is due to expire at the end of 2028.
Range and fuel consumption.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line fuel and efficiency specs:
| Claimed driving range (combined) | 1061km |
| Claimed fuel efficiency (combined) | 4.9L/100km |
| Fuel tank size | 52 litres |
| Minimum fuel quality requirement | 91 RON |
| Claimed CO2 exhaust emissions (combined) | 110g/km |
| European emissions compliance | Euro 5 |
In our testing week driving a mix of urban and highway conditions, the Kia Sportage Hybrid achieved an remarkably low 5.6L/100km fuel consumption.
Therefore, this results in about 929km driving range from its 52-litre fuel tank – which is only two litres less than its petrol- and diesel-only counterparts, in contrast to the Hyundai Kona Hybrid small SUV.
The real-world results are very impressive for a medium hybrid SUV, which is most suited to urban and suburban driving with constant stop-start traffic conditions – where the electric motor can take over the fuel-sipping petrol engine at low speeds.
The Sportage Hybrid uses a traditional self-contained hybrid system and does not require charging, with the regenerative braking and engine helping recharge the small 1.49kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery.
Refuelling up is accessed via the rear-left quarter fuel lid, which is locked along with the doors. The spring-loaded cap is easy to operate and the Sportage Hybrid accepts cheaper 91 RON and 94 RON E10 unleaded petrol.
Driving.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line powertrain specs:
| Engine/Electric motor | 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine + permanent magnet synchronous motor |
| Battery size and type | 1.49kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery |
| Power | 169kW |
| Torque | 350Nm |
| Transmission | Six-speed torque convertor auto |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Kerb weight | 1738kg |
| Payload | 432kg (excl. max 100kg towball download) |
| Towing (unbraked / braked) | 750 / 1650kg |
The Kia Sportage Hybrid offers the best powertrain by far, with effortless power and part-time silent electric driving.
With 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque coming from both the turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor combined, acceleration is punchy and getting up to speed is easy with a light foot.
The series-parallel hybrid powertrain switches between the engine, electric motor and both seamlessly, and impressively stays in EV-only mode frequently – shutting down the engine as soon as the SUV is slowing down, coasting, and even accelerating at low speeds with light acceleration.
The Sportage Hybrid adopts the South Korean automaker’s first-generation hybrid system, so the regenerative braking is very weak with no intensity adjustment.
Unfortunately, the blended brake pedal feels light and airy at the top; sometimes it caught me out and needed to press the brake further when switching the gear selector.
Noise insulation is excellent with minimal road noise, even when driving in the silence of EV-only mode – helped by the smaller 18-inch wheels with thicker rubber.
Likewise, Kia’s Australian-tuned ride and handling has paid dividends with a comfortable and compliant suspension on rougher roads and patches. While the Sportage certainly doesn’t feel like a sports car – despite its name suggesting otherwise – so the steering is on the lighter side and there’s some body lean when cornering faster.
The Sportage midsize SUV’s driving position is fittingly high and provides a more dominant feeling over other smaller vehicles.
The Sportage Hybrid is front-wheel drive (FWD) only – which is slightly disappointing as all-wheel drive (AWD) is a key selling point for many Australians and is a step down compared to the cheaper turbo-petrol and diesel powertrains.
Kia’s hybrid SUV is rated to tow up to 1650kg with a braked trailer – which is 250kg less than the diesel, but identical to the petrol-only model. Unbraked trailer capacity is the same on all models.
Keep in mind that the payload becomes very limited when towing the maximum trailer mass (after accounting for the towball download weight), so don’t expect to pack five people and a full cargo load inside.
All-round visibility is good with a window opening between the A-pillar and wing mirrors, though the 12.2-metre turning circle doesn’t make the Sportage feel as manoeuvrable in tight car parks.
Warranty and servicing.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid capped-price servicing prices:
| 1 year/10,000km | 2 years/20,000km | 3 years/30,000km | 4 years/40,000km | 5 years/50,000km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $353 | $714 | $423 | $1042 | $398 |
The Kia Sportage Hybrid is backed by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and a seven-year/150,000km battery warranty.
Capped-price servicing goes up to the first seven years, with eight years of roadside assistance coverage (provided every year when you service with Kia).
Since it uses a turbocharged petrol engine, servicing is required every one year/10,000km (whichever comes first) – which is shorter than the standard one year/15,000km interval.
Servicing averages to $586 per visit or totals to $2930 after the first five years/50,000km. The Sportage Hybrid SUV is quite pricey to maintain, especially for major services that occur every two visits.
Unlike some hybrid cars, the Sportage Hybrid includes a temporary space-saver spare tyre, which is accessible underneath the boot floor.
Price and rivals.
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid model range pricing (excluding mandatory on-road costs, accurate as at the time of publication):
| SX | GT-Line |
|---|---|
| $45,950 | $55,420 |
The 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid is available for two variants, priced from $45,950 before on-road costs in Australia.
All exterior paint colours except Clear White incurs a $520 charge.
Compared to the unimpressive base petrol engine, the SX Hybrid has a hefty $8400 premium. It also costs $3000 more than the turbo-diesel engine.
The top GT-Line Hybrid narrows the price gap to $5500 since it only comes standard with a pricier turbo-petrol engine, while it’s still $2500 more than the turbo-diesel.
For context, the Hyundai Tucson costs $2000 more by opting for the hybrid model, except for the base variant which has a $6000 premium.
As tested, the Sportage Hybrid GT-Line is about $60K drive-away depending on the state – which is on par with its hybrid SUV counterparts, but also matching the price of some full electric medium SUVs.
The Kia Sportage Hybrid directly competes with a range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid midsize SUVs:
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
- Nissan X-Trail e-Power
- Honda CR-V e:HEV
- Subaru Forester Hybrid
- Haval H6 Hybrid
- BYD Sealion 6 PHEV
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Other full electric alternatives to the Sportage Hybrid include:
- Kia EV5 (full review)
- Tesla Model Y
Would I pick the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line?
The 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid is the best version of the top-selling SUV by far. But, it comes at a cost and isn’t as compelling anymore with a facelift coming soon.
The hybrid medium SUV offers fantastic fuel efficiency, a comfortable and quiet ride, and punchy power with a spacious family-friendly interior.
It’s far more enjoyable to drive than the sluggish standard naturally-aspirated petrol motor, quieter than the tractor-like diesel, and more economical than both.
But, there’s a high price premium by going hybrid, resulting in the top-spec GT-Line being priced too close to some compelling alternatives – including the similarly-equipped base Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid large SUV, and the full electric Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y.
Servicing the Sportage Hybrid is expensive as well – a world away from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – Kia could take more effort with the hybrid’s wheel design, and the blended brake pedal is slightly too light at the top.
The Kia Sportage Hybrid is another excellent hybrid SUV option – but, with a facelift expected next year, it isn’t as appealing with now-outdated technology.
Photographs by Henry Man
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About the Author.
Henry Man is an independent content producer passionate about the intersection of technology and transportation.
The former automotive journalist is focused on producing critically-detailed vehicle reviews, and unique short-form content. Learn more.
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