2023 Kia Sportage

Information

The Kia Sportage (Korean: 기아 스포티지) is a series of automobiles manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 1993 through five generations. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second-generation Sportage transitioned to a car-based platform which placed it into the compact crossover SUV class, and has been developed alongside the Hyundai Tucson. Since the fifth-generation model launched in 2021, Kia developed the Sportage in two sizes with different wheelbase lengths for different markets.

The Sportage has been the best-selling Kia model globally since 2016 after surpassing the Rio. In 2018, the model reached the 5 million production milestone. As of 2023, the Sportage is positioned between the Seltos or Niro and the three-row Sorento in Kia’s SUV global lineup.

In 2022, the Sportage won the ‘Family SUV’ and ‘Full Hybrid’ categories in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards. In 2023, the Sportage was chosen as Car of the Year in Morocco.

Fifth generation (NQ5; 2021)

Overview

Model code: NQ5
Production: 2021–present
Model years: 2023–present (North America)
Assembly: South Korea: Gwangju (Gwangju Plant) | Slovakia: Žilina (Kia Slovakia) | United States: West Point, Georgia (KMMG) | China: Yancheng (Yueda Kia) | Russia: Kaliningrad (Avtotor) | Vietnam: Chu Lai (THACO Kia)
Designer: Gregory Guillaume | Jochen Paesen

Body and chassis

Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive | Front-engine, all-wheel drive
Platform: Hyundai-Kia N3
Related: Hyundai Tucson (NX4) | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Kia Sorento | Kia Niro (SG2)

Powertrain

Engine: Petrol:1.6 L Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi I4 | 2.0 L Smartstream G2.0 MPi I4 | 2.0 L Smartstream G2.0 T-GDi I4 | 2.5 L Smartstream G2.5 GDi I4
Petrol hybrid:1.6 L Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi 48V I4 | 1.6 L Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi HEV I4
Petrol plug-in hybrid:1.6 L Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi PHEV I4
LPG:2.0 L Smartstream L2.0 LPi I4
Diesel:1.6 L Smartstream D1.6 CRDi I4 | 2.0 L Smartstream D2.0 CRDi I4
Diesel hybrid:1.6 L Smartstream D1.6 CRDi 48V I4
Electric motor: Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator (MHSG) (EcoDynamics+) | 44.7 kW (60.8 PS; 59.9 hp) permanent magnet electric motor (FHEV) | 66.9 kW (91.0 PS; 89.7 hp) permanent magnet traction electric motor (PHEV)
Transmission: 6-speed manual | 6-speed automatic | 7-speed DCT | 8-speed automatic
Hybrid drivetrain: EcoDynamics+ MHEV | Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FHEV) | PHEV (Sportage PHEV)
Battery: 0.44 kWh 48-volt lithium-ion battery (MHEV) | 1.49 kWh 270-volt Lithium-polymer (LiPo) (FHEV) | 13.8 kWh 360-volt Lithium- polymer (LiPo) (PHEV)

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2,680 mm (105.5 in) (SWB) | 2,755 mm (108.5 in) (LWB)
Length: 4,515 mm (177.8 in) (SWB) | 4,660 mm (183.5 in) (LWB)
Width: 1,865 mm (73.4 in)
Height: 1,650–1,660 mm (65.0–65.4 in)
Curb weight: 1,525–1,615 kg (3,362–3,560 lb) (1.6T) | 1,615–1,715 kg (3,560–3,781 lb) (2.0D)

The fifth-generation Sportage was unveiled on 8 June 2021, with specifications revealed in July 2021. Based on the brand’s latest N3 platform, Kia developed two versions of the Sportage with different body length and wheelbase depending on the market.

The model is equipped with a Terrain Mode that automatically adjusts various settings depending on conditions, including snow, mud, and sand. It also features electric control suspension (ECS) on some models that provides continuous damping control in real-time. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will also feature an E-Handling system. lt is also equipped with a more compact shift-by-wire transmission dial for the automatic model.

The vehicle has also been equipped with updated safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), navigation-augmented adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist and advanced blind-spot collision-avoidance assistance system.

For the long-wheelbase model, Kia claims the fifth-generation Sportage received an increased 80 mm (3.1 in) of legroom and 7 mm (0.3 in) of headroom, with overall dimensions at 1,050 mm (41.3 in) and 1,000 mm (39.4 in) respectively.