Kia has released a list of prices for the 2023 Sportage subcompact SUV, starting with an entry price of $27,205.
That amount will afford prospective buyers a front-wheel drive Sportage LX, and that includes the $1,215 destination charge. The FWD Sportage LX is the first of 11 different configurations for the new fifth-generation Sportage, consisting of 7 trims and two drive systems– front or all-wheel drive. The Sportage LX can be upgraded to an AWD model, starting at $29,005.
For the 2023 model year, the Sportage sees an entirely new look, spearheaded by a more technical variant of Kia’s “tiger nose” grille encapsulated by “boomerang” headlights. The angular fenders blend with the sharper body lines which flow to the rear “notch-shaped” taillights, both of which are connected by a thin black graphic. This new body is carried by Kia’s third-gen “N3” platform– same as what’s used on the Sorento– providing the new Sportage with greater road presence and more interior volume. In fact, the 2023 Sportage is 7.1 inches longer and has a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase.
The base model is powered by a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired to a new 8-speed automatic transmission, targeted to displace 187 horsepower. Other standard equipment for all 2023 Kia Sportages includes smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Driver Attention Warning, LED Headlights, Lane Following and Keeping Assists, Forward Collision Avoidance, and a variety of other safety features.
The next bump up is the Sportage EX, which starts at $29,205 for the FWD model and $31,005 for the AWD variant. Exact details on what the EX offers over the LX is yet to be confirmed; however, on the 2022 Sportage, the EX added roof rails, heated exterior mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, a Smart Power Liftgate, 18-inch wheels and a variety of other exterior trim pieces. Inside, the EX added rear seat USB charging ports, Smart Key with Push-Button Start and Immobilizer, Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control, and SynTex seat material. The 2023 is said to come upholstered with animal-free leather.
The next trim is the Sportage X-Line– the first trim to only be available in AWD. It starts at $32,005, adding a unique “tread-like” stitching pattern on equally-unique SynTex synthetic leather seats. The X-line is like a half step to the off-road-capable X-Pro. While the X-Line forgoes some of the trail-borne accessories, it does add unique front and rear bumpers and side garnishing, special gloss black side mirrors, roof racks and window surrounds, and exclusive 19-inch wheels.
The Sportage SX starts at $32,705 as an FWD model, with an increase to $34,505 for the AWD model. Again, all exact details are yet to be confirmed, but we do know that the SX includes the same animal-free leather from the EX with special stitching. For the 2022 model year, the Sportage SX utilized the same 8-inch touchscreen found on other models, but with SiriusXM satellite radio capabilities. While unclear, it’s reasonable to suspect the 2023 SX will include the Sportage’s available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen. It also stands to reason that it will utilize some of the more enhanced safety features, such as Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist and Forward Collision Avoidance with Junction Turning assists. It is unclear what the next step includes, but the SX-Prestige follows suit; $34,705 for FWD, $36,505 for AWD.
Available features include a Harman Kardon premium audio system, wireless charging, and Kia Connect services. This option adds Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities– a Sportage first– over-the-air map updates, cloud-based navigation routing and a Smart Speaker capable of connecting to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
The final two trims are the X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige, both of which can only be configured as AWD models. They start at $36,205 and $38,005 respectively. These models are built to tackle more off-road adventure than their predecessors; as such, they ride on BF Goodrich all-terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch matte black wheels. LED foglights come standard on both, whereas special LED Projector headlights are available on the X-Pro, standard on the Prestige. Inside, both trims provide the drive with a multi-terrain drive mode select, with Normal, Sport, Smart and Snow modes. The X-Pro Prestige adds ventilated front seats and an 8-way power front passenger seat.
Two additional powertrains are expected to be released for the 2023 Sportage: a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). They are aptly named the Sportage HEV and Sportage PHEV respectively. The hybrid utilizes a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and 44kW permanent magnet motor. This leads to a targeted 226 horsepower and 39 miles per gallon. The PHEV uses the same 1.6-liter turbo-4, but adds a 66.9kW electric motor and 13.8 kWh lithium polymer battery. All-electric range is estimated at around 32 miles.
Pricing on the HEV and PHEV is yet to be confirmed, but we’ll have more news on those models, as well as the exact features of the other Sportage trims, soon on MotorWeek!
Keyword: 2023 Kia Sportage Pricing Announced; Starts at $27,205