- Consumer Reports doesn’t like the Kia Sportage’s powertrain
- The 2023 Kia Sportage doesn’t have adaptive cruise control
- Consumer Reports doesn’t like the small SUV’s tachometer
- Should you buy a 2023 Kia Sportage?
The 2023 Kia Sportage is all-new and redesigned for the upcoming model year. The Sportage instantly became a more desirable small SUV with a sporty new look and sleek style. Recently, Consumer Reports got its hands on the new small SUV, and there was plenty to like; however, there were a few things it doesn’t like about the 2023 Kia Sportage.
Consumer Reports doesn’t like the Kia Sportage’s powertrain
2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro | Kia America
Consumer Reports doesn’t like the Kia Sportage’s powertrain, calling it “lackluster.” Firstly, it uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower. However, CR says the delivery of that power isn’t smooth or consistent. Additionally, it doesn’t accelerate quickly from a standstill, and changing gears using the eight-speed automatic transmission isn’t smooth. It is a competent vehicle overall, but CR dislikes the powertrain because it isn’t powerful, snappy, or smooth.
Contrarily, there is a hybrid version of the Kia Sportage. According to Car and Driver, it uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor to make 226 horsepower. Furthermore, buyers can expect better fuel economy from the hybrid version of the small SUV. CR only tested the non-hybrid version of the vehicle, so the power and smoothness of the hybrid powertrain remain unknown.
The 2023 Kia Sportage doesn’t have adaptive cruise control
2023 Sportage X-Pro | Kia
Next, Consumer Reports doesn’t like that the 2023 Kia Sportage doesn’t have adaptive cruise control. Although it comes with a slew of standard driver assistance features, ACC is an essential item. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and driver attention warning are standard. However, adaptive cruise control is absent, which is disappointing. Most models with all this other driver-assist technology usually include ACC.
For example, one of the best-selling vehicles globally, the Toyota RAV4, is also a small SUV. Furthermore, it comes with a long list of standard driver-assist features. Unlike the new Sportage, Toyota’s offering comes standard with adaptive cruise control. Additionally, it includes forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, a traffic sign reader system, and automatic high beams.
Consumer Reports doesn’t like the small SUV’s tachometer
Consumer Reports doesn’t like the 2023 Kia Sportage’s tachometer. Although RPMs aren’t really of concern to most small SUV owners, the tachometer is prominent in the Sportage’s instrument panel. Instead of an analog arm indicating revolutions per minute, the Sportage uses a two-digit numerical display. For example, if it uses 1,500 RPMs, the driver will only see 1.5 on the tachometer. Overall, this isn’t a detriment to the vehicle by any stretch. However, small things like this that take a few extra seconds of mental processing can be distracting. Moreover, any distractions while driving are unwelcome.
You’ll find a standard analog arm tachometer in other small SUVs and just about every other vehicle. Sometimes, automakers try to do a little too much when building a new model. The 2023 Kia Sportage instrument panel has a little bit of that. Moreover, the tachometer isn’t a big deal; it’s just different from the norm when it doesn’t need to be.
Should you buy a 2023 Kia Sportage?
If you need a small SUV with a ton of value for the price and a brand-new design, the 2023 Kia Sportage is perfect. Especially with its hybrid engine, it provides fuel economy and sportiness other similar models can’t. According to Consumer Reports, its most significant issues aren’t dealbreakers. Mostly, they’re minor inconveniences that could be troublesome in rare cases. Overall, the 2023 Kia Sportage is an excellent small SUV, but there are some things Consumer Reports doesn’t like about it.
Keyword: 3 Things Consumer Reports Doesn’t Like About the 2023 Kia Sportage