“Like the hybrid feature without having to plug in. Love the blind spot and rear warnings. Very comfortable inside. Great mileage.”
2023 Kia Sportage: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The single biggest change for the 2023 Kia Sportage is a full fifth-generation redesign. It is larger and roomier than the 2022 model, with a new gas powertrain and the first U.S. Sportage Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models.
About the 2023 Kia Sportage
5th generation, first year of a full redesign.
Kia positions the 2023 Sportage as a bold-looking compact SUV that mixes family-friendly space with a more adventurous personality than many rivals. The core appeal is a roomy cabin, strong cargo space, lots of screen and driver-assistance tech, and a wide choice of personalities: straightforward gas trims, fuel-saving hybrids, a plug-in hybrid, and more rugged AWD-focused versions. It is meant to feel stylish and useful at the same time, not just basic transportation.
The 2023 lineup ranges from the everyday LX to the comfort-focused EX and tech-focused SX, while X-Line adds rugged styling and standard AWD. X-Pro models back up the tougher look with terrain settings and bad-weather equipment. Upper trims feature a curved panel containing a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the plug-in-hybrid X-Line Prestige provides 34 miles of electric-only range.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
Gas models receive a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The first U.S. Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid also join the range.
Styling
The full redesign brings a new exterior and interior design. New X-Line trims add blacked-out adventure styling, while the new X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige pair a tougher appearance with trail-focused equipment.
Tech
Higher trims introduce a curved display panel that combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge display with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Navigation and satellite radio become standard on the gas EX.
Structural
A larger body creates substantially more passenger and cargo room. Gas LX and EX models increase rear legroom from 38.2 to 41.3 inches and maximum cargo capacity from 60.1 to 74.1 cubic feet.
2023 Kia Sportage specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd / Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas / Hybrid | Hybrid / Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas / Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Hybrid | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid |
| MPG City | 25–38 mpg | 25–42 mpg | 25 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 25 mpg | 38 mpg | 23 mpg | |
| MPG Highway | 32–38 mpg | 32–44 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 32 mpg | 38 mpg | 28 mpg | |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 187 hp | 187 hp | 187 hp | 187 hp | 187 hp | 187 hp | ||
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 178–195 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | |
| Max Towing | 2000–2500 lb | 2000–2500 lb | 2500 lb | 2500 lb | 2000–2500 lb | 2500 lb | 2000 lb | 2500 lb | 2000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 73.7–74.1 cu-ft | 73.7–74.1 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | 73.7 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | |
| Rear Legroom | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 39.5–41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 39.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 34 (Plug-In Hybrid) | 34 | |||||||
| MPGe Combined | 84 (Plug-In Hybrid) | 84 | |||||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||||
| Traction Control | |||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||||
| Heated Windshield | |||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Power Mirrors | |||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||||
| Power Steering | |||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Kia Sportage fully redesigned?
Yes. The 2023 Kia Sportage begins the model’s fifth generation with a new body, a larger cabin, a new gas powertrain, expanded display technology, and a broader trim range.
Did the Kia Sportage Hybrid debut for 2023?
Yes. The 2023 model year brings the first Sportage Hybrid sold in the U.S. Hybrid versions include LX, EX, and SX-Prestige trims, with the SX-Prestige using standard AWD.
Was a plug-in-hybrid Sportage added for 2023?
Yes. The first U.S. Sportage Plug-in Hybrid arrives for 2023 in X-Line and X-Line Prestige form. Both use AWD, and the X-Line Prestige provides 34 miles of electric-only range on a full charge.
How is the 2023 Sportage roomier than the 2022 model?
The redesigned 2023 Sportage has more rear-seat and cargo room. On gas LX and EX models, rear legroom grows from 38.2 to 41.3 inches, while maximum cargo space rises from 60.1 to 74.1 cubic feet.
What rugged Sportage trims were added for 2023?
The 2023 Sportage adds X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige trims. X-Line emphasizes rugged styling and standard AWD, while X-Pro models add terrain settings and equipment intended for dirt, snow, and rougher roads.
2023 Kia Sportage Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2023 Kia Sportage.
4.2
2023 Kia Sportage
(872 reviews)
“It is well built, roomy, with excellent acceleration while being very quiet. Gas mileage has not proven to be anywhere near the overall 38 mpg it has advertised, and I'm a very "soft" pedal driver.”
“The gas mileage with the hybrid is great. I do not want an all electric vehicle. The only feature I hate is that you can't lock the doors from the door panel when you get out of the vehicle. Stupid feature - supposedly to keep me from locking the keys in the car.”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage / 2023
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage Hev / 2023
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 18448 / Plugged In Dialed In 2023 Kia Sportage Phev Expands The Breadth Of Kia Electrified Suvs
- kiamedia.com — Sportage / 2024 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage Hev / 2024
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage Phev / 2024
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage / 2022
- kiamedia.com — Sportage / 2023 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Specifications / 19090 / 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Features And Options
- kiamedia.com — Sportage Phev / 2023 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sportage Phev / 2023 / Specifications