Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid 2022 review

Introduction

Kia’s popular Sportage had some hybrid models added to the range not so long ago and now comes with drastically overhauled looks – so is the plug-in version the car you didn’t know you wanted?

The Kia Sportage is an odd car.

Not because of how it looks or drives. But simply because it's so modest, you wonder how on earth it could be so good.

The Sportage is one of those vehicles that keeps on improving and improving.

Mind you, Kia has had three decades in which to achieve the car’s success.

Yes, it’s hard to believe, but it’s been around for nearly 30 years, although it began life as an unpopular, rather utilitarian-looking, small SUV.

At A Glance

But, since the early-to-mid 1990s, Kia has quietly gone back to the drawing board, again and again, to hone and refine the design, evolving it into what we see today.

The latest step on its journey came earlier this year with the addition of plug-in hybrid models, which joined the range just as the Sportage got a significant update to its looks.

Kia is a big player in the UK nowadays, and deservedly so, boasting well-refined engines, generous equipment levels and industry-leading levels of reliability. Arguably, the biggest thing wrong with the Sportage has been its name. Hinting at athleticism, the reality has been anything but as far as its looks are concerned.

Not anymore.

This new Sportage has ditched the modest, family-friendly persona for something that looks sporty. Instead, it’s now a bit bold and somewhat flamboyant.

The grille dominates the front end, and if you have the lights turned off, you'd be forgiven for thinking there weren't any. Why? Well, they blend into the grille’s shape on either side, with boomerang day-running lights being the only giveaway.

The sides also look sporty, with a black roof contrasting against the primary body colour nicely. However, this dual colour scheme is reserved for the top model. 

A chunky side skirt and a roof spoiler, which overhangs the rear windows, add to the athleticism. Like many cars, the rear now features a horizontal light bar which spans the whole width of the boot, widening at each side to accommodate the main taillights.

Some dark grey cladding sits between the primary body colour and a silver diffuser at the bottom, while more silver bodywork highlights the reversing lights at either side, just above it. It is a very striking and expressive design which is a significant departure from the modesty of older Kia models.

And, with the South Korean manufacturer now promising superb fuel economy and environmentally friendliness, the Sportage is a sure bet to be a winner.

Key Features

Anyone who has looked at the trim levels for Kias will know they’re not exactly known for their simplicity. Indeed, they can be ridiculously complicated.

By focusing just on the plug-in hybrid, however, things become much more straightforward.

Entry-level is GT-Line, which includes 19-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, SatNav, a digital instrument cluster, lumbar support, quilt leather suede seats, smart cruise control and keyless entry.

Next is the '3' trim, which chucks in heated half-leather seats and a heated steering wheel.

The ‘4’ trim adds a Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, electronically adjustable front seats and LED adaptive headlights.

Finally, GT-Line S adds suede upholstery, a powered tailgate, a two-tone roof and ventilated seats while adding an electric memory function for the driver's seat.

Regardless of your choice, only one powertrain is offered, a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a single electric motor, producing a very meaty 265PS.

Four-wheel drive comes as standard on all models, along with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Range & Batteries

Of course, being a plug-in hybrid, emissions-free driving is possible using just the electric motor, and Kia claims the Sportage has an all-electric range of up to 48 miles.

A bit less than that is probably likely in the real world, but we managed 39 miles before the engine was forced to cut back in, which isn’t too far off.

The range you achieve will depend on various factors, including road conditions, weather conditions and temperature, not to mention driving style. The manufacturer range isn't always accurate, so be sure you know what you're in for by consulting our guide on official v. real-world battery range.

A 13.8kWh battery comes as standard with the Sportage PHEV. 

Performance & Drive

Acceleration from a standing start is brisk, despite the extra weight of the electric motor and batteries.

0-62mph is over in 8.2-seconds, which isn't bad for what's a heavy car. However, it's around 300kg heavier than the non-hybrids in the range.

If you keep accelerating, it’ll do a top speed of 119mph.

A burst of torque, thanks to the electric motor, makes it feel quicker than it is and when at speed, putting your foot down to overtake is also reasonably effortless.

You can drive it with just the electric motor, which reduces performance to 90PS. But it still feels like it's generating sufficient power for lower-speed driving, so it’s fine to use around town or in the commuter queues of rush hour traffic.

With the electric motor and engine in harmony at motorway speeds, the car feels comfortable and settled, cruising well at the national speed limit.

You can drive it at 70mph in all-electric mode, which is an eerily tranquil experience, but bear in mind you don’t have the performance to hand if you want to overtake.

When needed, the automatic gearbox changes gear smoothly and feels well-engineered, too.

There are several driving settings, including EV mode for all-electric, and hybrid mode, which maximises the efficiency while using the engine. Meanwhile, the automatic mode switches between electric-only and hybrid mode as needed.

When using automatic mode, the engine cuts in and out seamlessly. There is also an eco mode, and you can adjust settings depending on different terrains.

Even with the engine running, it's quiet to drive, with wind and road noise well contained.

Sadly, when it comes to cornering ability, the Sportage isn't class-leading.

The extra weight of the motor and its batteries means there’s quite a lot of body roll in the corners if you take it at speed.

The tyres grip the road well – and Kia specifies that the top-of-the-range GT-Line S trim gets Michelin tyres – but they aren’t enough to overcome the car’s shortcomings.

You find the steering gets a little firmer the faster you go, but not sufficiently enough to make the handling noticeably keener.

The only driving mode we haven’t mentioned yet is sport, but this will do little to impress drivers seeking that athletic prowess that the Sportage’s looks hint towards.

If maximising ride comfort is a high priority on your list, then it’s worth testing the non-hybrid models. Why? Well, the PHEV’s suspension springs are set up somewhat firmer than the rest of the range due to the extra weight, but it’s never uncomfortable.

It is a shame that adaptive dampers, offered on the PHEV in other markets, are unavailable in the UK.

Charging

The 13.8kWh battery can be charged at a maximum speed of 7.2kW, which is about the same charging rate as a home wall box. You can find out more about choosing the best charger for you by consulting our guide on picking your ideal electric car charger.

It takes about an hour to get from 0-100%.

The limited charging speed means it won’t be any quicker if you take it to a more powerful public charging point. But, if it's urgent, you can read more about what to do when you can't charge at home in our guide.

Nevertheless, with an engine to fall back on, it’s more likely most will charge theirs at home anyway.

Running Costs & Emissions

Kia claims that the Sportage plug-in hybrid can manage 252mpg.

That is quite a feat, but you'll likely struggle to achieve that figure. Plus, you'll need to make sure you keep the batteries charged up to get anywhere near it.

CO2 emissions measure in at 25g/km, too, which make it ideal for company car drivers due to the low Benefit In Kind tax, with the Sportage sitting in the 8% band.

Only the lack of an all-electric range prevents it from being in a lower band, but at least there’s no road tax to pay.

Regarding reliability, Kia has consistently been a top performer, often taking lofty positions on reliability and customer satisfaction surveys.

As a result, Kia offers an industry-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Interior & Technology

Stepping inside, the Kia Sportage instantly gives you confidence that plenty of work has gone into designing its layout.

The 12.3-inch infotainment screen sits alongside the same-sized digital instrument cluster, so it appears as one very wide screen, with the former angled towards the driver for a better view.

The flat-bottomed steering wheel looks inviting, garnished with silver trim and various buttons. Meanwhile, the centre console is bathed in shiny piano black with buttons lined up intuitively.

It looks very welcoming, with soft-to-the-touch surfaces and even a suede finish on the doors, while more silver trim compliments a smart look across the dashboard.

Using the infotainment screen is simple enough, with a crisply clear display, while the menus are laid out clearly and intuitively. Although the system is impressive and isn’t the best we’ve tested, it’s still reasonably responsive.

The digital instrument cluster is equally clear, with customisable displays depending on your preferences.

Underneath the infotainment screen, you find various touch-sensitive shortcut buttons which change depending on which menu the screen is displaying at any given time.

While they look nice, they aren't as easy to use on the move as physical buttons. As a result, doing things like adjusting the temperature on the move is more complex than they otherwise would be.

It is worth getting into the habit of having the shortcut buttons set to the temperature settings before you drive off, as then you can use a dial next to it to make adjustments rather than taking your eyes off the road.

Minor annoyances aside, though, it's a smart, welcoming and empowering design that leaves you feeling like the interior has been crafted rather than just bolted together.

The build quality and materials feel solid, too.

Practicality & Boot Space

Finding a comfortable driving position is simple enough, helped by the electric seat adjustment, which is available in 4 and GS-Line S trims.

Those wanting a raised driving position will be happy, too, as, behind the wheel of a Sportage, you have a commanding view of the road.

Visibility out of the front is reasonable, but because the roof slopes down and the back window is angled quite sharply, it creates a very thick rear pillar which obstructs your view.

Nevertheless, a rear-view camera is included, so that helps to mitigate the problem somewhat.

Inside, there’s plenty of space and, even allowing for the loss of roof space due to the panoramic sunroof, there’s still a decent amount of headroom which should accommodate the tallest of front seat occupants.

The rear seats are almost as spacious, too. Two fully grown adults can be comfortably accommodated in the back, and three shouldn't be a problem for shorter journeys. However, the middle-seat passenger might find foot space a bit tight.

The rear seats recline, too.

There is a lot of storage space, with plenty of room for a phone beneath the infotainment screen, which also acts as the wireless charging pad in models that include it.

The door bins aren't the biggest but will still accommodate an average-sized bottle, while there's more space in the central cubby and two cupholders in the front.

One neat touch is that if you push a button next to the cupholder, a handle moves to adjust the cupholder’s size to fit your drink. So, your tall, thin bottle of coke shouldn’t fall out when you accelerate.

There is also a regular USB and a USB-C port in the front, with two more USB-Cs accessible from the rear, which can be found on the sides of the front seats.

Boot capacity is measured at 540 litres in the PHEV (this is reduced by 51 litres from the non-hybrid version thanks to the batteries), while the seats handily fold away in a versatile 40/20/40 split to expand the usable cargo space to 1,750 litres.

The boot floor is flat, and there's no boot lip to deal with, so you can easily slide large, heavy items in and out.

Safety

The latest Kia Sportage was recently put through its paces by crash-testing experts at Euro NCAP, who gave it a five-star rating.

It scored 87% for adults, 86% for children and 72% for safety assists.

Safety and driving assistance systems include smart cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane follow assist and automatic emergency braking.

If you opt for the '3' trim and above, you also get Highway Drive Assist.

All Sportages come with parking sensors and a rear-view camera, while the ‘4’ trim and above gets a 360-degree camera, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and blind-spot view monitors, which work via cameras mounted on the door mirrors.

Options

There is any number of additional accessories you can acquire for the Kia Sportage – even a Kia picnic blanket is yours for the cost of a takeaway for two.

Or, if you’re feeling flush, a Kia watch is also offered.

If it's the car you're interested in kitting out, then trunk mats, tow bar, puddle lights, body decals and a storage bag for a spare wheel can be yours.

You can upgrade the wheels to different 17, 18 or 19-inch designs, get a dashcam or get chrome strips for the bodywork, while roof rack bars, warning triangles, illuminated footwells and, of course, floor mats are also among the merchandise on offer.

No period of Kia ownership would be complete without a Kia keyring. The automaker even offers a drinking bottle.

While that’s all well and good, you must pay several hundred pounds more if you want your Sportage to be any colour other than ‘Splash Lemon’.

Rival Cars

The Kia Sportage goes up against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008, Ford Kuga, and the Seat Ateca.

The Vauxhall Grandland and Volvo XC40 are also worth considering.

We would argue the Sportage has the nicest interior, and it beats most rivals for luggage capacity, although the Volvo beats it for refinement.

If you’re not fussed about a hybrid, then the Skoda Karoq, of which there are no hybrids, might be worth looking at, too.

Verdict & Next Steps

Overall, the Kia Sportage is an excellent all-rounder.

It has boisterous looks and a really smart interior, plus it’s highly practical and, in hybrid form, quick and superbly economical.

Where to next?

View our latest Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid Leasing Deals  - from just £386.57 per month inc VAT**

Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of Special Offers

New hybrid SUV? Read our latest Car Reviews and find the right model for you

Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive Leasing Guides

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_{*Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid}

_{**Correct as of 15/11/2022. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £3,479.13 Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.}