Categories: Cars

Drive Notes: 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD

Recently I tooled around town in a 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD.

The name is a bit of a chore — thankfully, the vehicle isn't.

This one sets up a 1.6-liter turbo four with an electric motor for a total system horsepower of 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. There's a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, satellite radio, wireless device charging, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, and more.

Options included a “smart” power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, LED fog lamps, smart cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, Harman/Kardon audio, cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and a memory driver's seats. Oh, and this one had matte paint for $595.

Base price, with D and D: $37,490. Price as optioned, again with D and D: $39,730.

Let's get to it.

Pros

Smooth is the word I'd use the most here. It rides smoothly, the hybrid transitions are smooth, it's just smooth to use.
Kia's steering is, alas, too artificial. But the tradeoff is that it's dialed-in well enough and weighted nicely — it's almost too heavy.
The interior layout looks good and controls are mostly easy to use, save for one thing (see below).
I like the styling, though the matte paint seems an unnecessary for a mainstream crossover.
The cabin is quiet.
The price may seem dear, but it's in line with a lot of the competitive set.
Overall, the Sportage Hybrid is well packaged and pleasantly unremarkable. It's enjoyable enough to drive though not particularly memorable.

Cons

I don't like the need to press a button to switch between climate controls and audio controls. It may help designers save space, but it also complicates things.
Power is fine for around-town driving but mostly meh.
As mentioned, the steering is a tad heavy and a tad artificial.
The Sportage is stylish, yet perhaps just a tad boring. Which may not be a bad thing.

The Sportage Hybrid offers a lot to like but some flaws annoy. Save some bucks and avoid the matte paint and you might have a boring yet likable ride.

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Source: The Truth About Cars

WBN