Previewing the 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid: What to Expect

The Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, the compact SUV that competes with the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Hyundai Motor Group’s own Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, is available at U.S. dealerships since last year. In a few months, it will welcome its first update to become a 2024 model. Here’s everything we expect from the 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. Please be aware that the information and pictures featured in this article pertain to the current model year, and any forthcoming update will be added accordingly.

Design

The Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is part of the fifth-gen Kia Sportage, which comes in gasoline and hybrid variants as well, and in some markets, even as a mild-hybrid.

Kia created the fifth-gen Sportage based on its new “Opposites United” design philosophy. The latest SUV may not look all that different from the sides, but its front and rear, in stark contrast to the simplistic sides, are bold and striking. Kia says rugged, sheer forms offset smooth, soft surfaces on the fifth-gen model.

The tiger-nose grille of the Sportage has become more technical with floating design, resting above a blacked-out grille graphic that covers the whole width of the front fascia. Vertical headlamps with dramatically-angled, boomerang-shaped DRLs flank the mammoth radiator grille. At the rear, the Sportage’s new identity is “notch-shaped” tail lights, connected by a thin black graphic in a subtle manner. Expect this recipe, untouched, in the 2024 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid.

Interior

The interior of the fifth-gen Sportage, inspired by high-end outdoor products, furniture, and modern architecture, offers pleasant living space on wheels. The dashboard carries a more elegant design, and so does the center console. Plus, there’s a new dual curved display that seamlessly connects a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This panel makes the interior look upscale compared to that of the fourth-gen model. We expect the same layout and features to be present in the 2024 Sportage PHEV.

Specifications

The 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid would employ the same 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (177 hp/195 lb.-ft.) with a permanent magnet synchronous motor (89 hp/224 lb.-ft.) that draws energy from a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This combination whould result in 261 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system would work together to transmit power to the wheels.

The battery pack, located under the vehicle floor, would be chargeable with a 7.2 kW onboard charger. Fully charging the 13.8 kWh battery pack using a Level-2 charger would take two hours. We expect the 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid to deliver a combined fuel economy of 84 MPGe (gasoline + electricity)/35 MPG (gasoline) and a pure electric range of 34 miles.

2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid spec sheet

Aspect	2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid Specification (Expected)
Length/Width/Height (w/ roof rails)	183.5 in./73.4 in./66.9 in.
Wheelbase	108.5 in.
Engine	1.6L turbocharged gasoline
Engine Power	177 hp at 5,500 rpm
Engine Torque	195 lb.-ft. at 1,500-4,500 rpm
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.1 gal.
Propulsion Motor	Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Propulsion Motor Power	89.7 hp at 2,100-3,300 rpm
Propulsion Motor Torque	224 lb.-ft. @ 0-2,100 rpm
Battery Pack	13.8 kWh lithium-ion
Charging Time	2.0 hours
Electric Driving Range	34 miles
Total Driving Range	430 miles
Combined Fuel Economy (Gasoline + Electric)	84 MPGe
Combined Fuel Economy (Gasoline)	35 MPG
Towing Capacity (braked/unbraked)	2,000 lbs./1,653 lbs.

Features

Kia will likely offer the 2024 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid in the U.S. in the same trim levels: X-Line and X-Line Prestige. There could be revisions with respect to the standard features, but we’re not expecting wholesale changes.

X-Line

In the outgoing model, the X-Line grade includes exterior features like LED headlights with LED DRLs, LED tail lights, heated ORVMs, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and a smart power tailgate as standard. Inside, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control system, 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support, front seat heating, wireless smartphone charger, leather-wrapped steering wheel, etc. are part of the standard equipment.

On the safety front, Kia offers the following features in the X-Line grade’s Kia Drive Wise package:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Reverse parking sensors

X-Line Prestige

The X-Line Prestige grade (2023) has a more attractive exterior with LED projector headlights, LED rear combination tail lights, and LED fog lights. Plus, it features a heated windshield as well. Interior features in addition to or better than those of the X-Line grade include a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, 8-way power front passenger’s seat, memory function for the driver’s seat and ORVMs, front-seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, LED ambient lighting, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The Kia Drive Wise safety suite of the X-Line Prestige trim includes the following additional or better features:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Junction Crossing
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Highway Driving Assist
• Surround View Monitor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Front parking sensors
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse
• Remote Smart Parking Assist

Price

The 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s prices will likely start at around USD 39,000. We’ll update this page when we receive further info.

TopElectricSUV says

The Sportage and Tucson Plug-in Hybrids represent two of the most stylish, advanced, and upscale vehicles in their class for the U.S. market. The new ’24 models will look to uphold that tradition by bringing a few equipment-level changes — but no more than that.

2024 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid FAQs

Featured Image Source: Kia