2023 Kia Sportage Gets Distinctive New Duds, More

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

Kia’s current tagline is “movement that inspires” and while I am not sure if the 2023 Kia Sportage will be inspiring, exactly, it will catch your attention.

The venerable subcompact crossover SUV gets a major makeover that looks distinctive (whether it’s attractive or not is up to you) when set against the sea of anonymity that so often exists in that class. Oh, and it sets the stage for future electrified versions.

As with so many vehicles (and, often, humans), the Sportage is gaining in size as it ages — it’s now 7.1 inches longer, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, and taller and wider by half an inch compared to the previous model. It’s also getting a bit nicer, thanks to features like an optional dual-panoramic setup for the 12.3-inch infotainment screens.

Ground clearance is up by 1.5 inches for all-wheel-drive models, which will have a multi-terrain drive-mode system.

The trim walk goes like this: LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. The latter two trims are off-road oriented.

This fifth-generation Sportage will be built (with a few exceptions for certain trims) in West Point, Georgia, alongside the Telluride three-row SUV and the K5 sedan.

Power will come from a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower and mating to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While all-wheel drive is available, front-wheel drive is standard. The AWD system has a center-locking differential that it will use to distribute power between the front and rear wheels.

The off-road-oriented X-Line and X-Pro models will get AWD standard, along with 19-inch wheels (X-Line) and unique appearance features. X-Pros will have Bridgestone all-terrain tires, 17-inch wheels, LED fog lamps and available LED headlights, heated windshield, available two-tone roof, and cooled front seats.

The usual electronic driver aids and safety nannies will be available, and the list is long — a bit too long for this post. New for this year are a 360-degree surround view with 3D and a blind-spot monitoring camera feed for the gauge cluster.

Other standard or available features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, coat hangers and USB ports molded into the front-seat headrests, touchpad climate and audio controls, Harman Kardon audio, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and Kia Connect — which replaces Uvo infotainment and includes in-car wi-fi and smart-speaker integration.

Expect to see the next Kia Sportage on sale in the first quarter of next year.

[Images: Kia]

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • N8iveVA N8iveVA on Oct 28, 2021

    What....no optional turbo engine? I like the rear but that front end looks like Kia got inspired by the latest Mitsubishi Outlander. Not a good look.

  • Lie2me Lie2me on Oct 28, 2021

    ... and they'll be very, VERY expensive depending on your options You forgot that part

    • 902Chris 902Chris on Nov 03, 2021

      100%. Every feature the average driver wants will be stripped out of the lower trims to make it cheaper "on paper".

  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
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