Yeah, I like this one.  In fact, I am impressed with the 2024 Kia Sportage.  I am surprised to note that it has taken many manufacturers so long to catch onto something that Toyota has been doing for a long time now, namely hybrid SUVs.  The new Kia Sportage Hybrid SUV looks fantastic, too.  It is my favourite exterior design from any of the current bunch of mid-size SUVs.  Toyota’s excellent RAV4 is, of course, Kia’s main nemesis.  And it should be, because Toyota have earned their spot for building solid, reliable vehicles – which is what people want first and foremost.  The good news is the recent Sportage versions are very dependable – so which of the two rivals do you prefer?  There are a few reasons why you may prefer the new Kia Sportage Hybrid SUV over its rival, so keep reading and make your choice. 

Kia has built up a reputation for building stylish and, in more recent times, very dependable vehicles that will willingly cover the miles reliably day in and day out.  The Sportage, which was first brought into production back in 1993, has been a bit of a stalwart.  Kia’s Sportage has been Kia’s best-selling model around the globe since 2016, which was when it surpassed the popular and likable small Rio hatch and sedan for the top sales spot. 

Initially, the Kia Sportage started out as a compact SUV that was built on a body-on-frame chassis.  It was the second-generation model which came out in 2004 that changed the chassis to a car-based platform, which was developed alongside the Hyundai Tucson.  The fifth-generation model launched in 2021, which is what the current 2024 version is based on, now comes with all the modern technology and infotainment updates and a fresh facelift.

Up the front end of the new Sportage, you get that bold bumper and grille style to zing off those striking looking set of prominent, angular DRLs.  At the rear, the tailgate design is clean and modern.  And in the middle a solid set of flanks with nice indentation, large wheel arches, and a sweet set of alloys keep it looking interesting right the way around.  Overall, the exterior design has a real presence about it, and you want to look at it, not away from it. 

In March 2024, the Hybrid version was added to the Kia Sportage range, and it comes with the SX and GT Line trim levels.  So, inside the Hybrid Sportage, you’ll find quality materials throughout, with nice bits of chrome trim flashed about the cabin to lighten things up.  The cabin’s fit and finish is excellent too.  For the infotainment system and driver’s instruments, you get a stylish, sweeping twin-screen display.  This set-up is very easy to navigate around and easily customisable for your own preference and tastes.  A panel that is situated beneath the main screen can change over between the climate and media controls at the touch of a button.  This is an excellent design and a great solution that saves you having to get lost in a complicated labyrinth of different menus and functions before finally tripping over what you wanted all along in the first place.

You’ll also find that the Kia Sportage has plenty of space for your typical family size.  Seating is roomy both in the front and in the rear.  Boot capacity is a healthy 591 litres behind the back seats and, of course, the rear seats are split-folding (40:20:40) so that you can fit more gear inside with fewer than five occupants.  Boot capacity is a lot more than you’ll find in a Nissan Qashqai, considerably more than in a Toyota RAV4, a bit less than with its Hyundai Tucson cousin, and way less than what’s in a Skoda Kodiaq.

Though not available in an EV model nor even with a diesel anymore (sadly), the 2024 Kia Sportage self-charging Hybrid SUV makes the better choice anyway, especially with all the faffing about you get with trying to find a vacant charging station.  These Hybrid Kia Sportage SUVs are smooth to drive, comfortable, and economical.  About town, it is lovely to see how remarkably frugal the Hybrid system actually is.  At faster open road speeds, obviously, the petrol engine bursts into life, becoming the main source of power and progression.  Kia has recorded 4.9 litres/100 km as being the average rate at which the Hybrid Sportage will drink fuel.  If most of your driving is within urban/city environments, I should think that this is very doable.  The big SUV body shape ruffles a few air waves as it gains speed and pushes through the air – mainly about the wing mirrors.  But in general, wind noise is low, and you’ll find that road noise from the tyres is decently muted. 

I love the fact that the Kia Sportage Hybrid has 4WD models for those who want to go bush and head away on an off-road adventure.  There’s also a switchable driving mode for these 4WD versions, and this means you can change the settings for 4WD from normal to mud, snow, or sand.  But the Terrain Mode can also automatically adjust various settings depending on the conditions at the time, including the snow, mud, and sand functions.  The Sportage also features electronically controlled suspension (ECS) on some models, and this provides continuous damping control to match your progress.  The Hybrid and plug-in Hybrid Kia Sportage models also feature an E-Handling system and a more compact shift-by-wire transmission dial for the automatic models.

The modern 2024 Kia Sportage SUV is also very safe.  The Sportage has been tested by the Euro NCAP and ANCAP crash testing teams, where it was awarded the full five stars.  The American IIHS crash results also rate the Sportage as being a very safe vehicle on all accounts.  There are lots of electronic driver aids.  So, as standard, you get forward collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist steering, active cruise control, an active speed limiter, trailer stability assistance for when you’re towing, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.  Depending on the model, or on your selection of options, the new Kia Sportage Hybrid SUV can also come with little blind spot cameras and parking collision avoidance systems, as well as remote parking assistance.  

So, yes, it’s a good one!  The current 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid models include the:

• Kia Sportage Hybrid SX
• Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line

For any more information on the new Kia Sportage Hybrid or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Kia dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!