The 2023 New Kia Sportage Subcompact SUV USA - Interior & Drive
19The 2023 Kia Sportage has just been unveiled for the U.S. market, a number of months after it was launched in other markets such as Europe, which received a shorter version, Australia, and South Korea.
2023 Sportage models heading to U.S. dealerships will be assembled alongside the Telluride, Sorento, and K5 at Kia’s manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia. For the most part, U.S. models are the same as those sold in other markets, except for Europe where the Sportage is slightly smaller.
With this in mind, the subcompact SUV sports the automaker’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy and sports a large tiger nose front grille. Catching the eye are boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, muscular arches, a pronounced shoulder line, and LED taillights.
Kia notes that this latest-generation Sportage is 7.1-inches longer than the previous-generation model. It is also taller and wider by half an inch than the old model and has a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. This increased size results in an impressive 41.3 inches of rear legroom and 39.6 cubic-feet of cargo space.
Many Trim Levels To Choose From
U.S. customers have a plethora of trim levels available for the new SUV, starting with the entry-level LX and including the EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, and the new X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige. All variants come standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Among the key safety features that are also standard include Driver Attention Warning, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance with Cyclist detection, Rear Occupant Alert, Rear View Monitor, and Reverse Parking Distance Warning.
Important interior options include a Harmon Kardon premium audio system, multi-connection Bluetooth, wireless charging, and Kia Connect services that include a Wi-Fi hotspot and smart speaker integration.
Shoppers looking for a slightly more off-road-focused variant have the Sportage X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige to choose from. The first of these features distinctive front and rear bumpers with a satin chrome surround, gloss black side mirrors, roof rack, and window surrounds, raised roof rack rails, and exclusive 19-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the X-Pro features 17-inch matte-black wheels with B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires, LED fog lights and available LED projector headlights, heated windshield and wiper washer nozzle, multi-terrain drive modes, a two-tone roof, and in the X-Pro Prestige, ventilated front seats and an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat.
Various optional safety systems are offered as options with the new Kia Sportage. These include Blind-Spot View Monitor, Blind Sport Collision Avoidance-Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance with Parallel Exit, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance with Junction Turning, Forward Parking Distance Warning, Highway Driving Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve, Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance, Safe Exit Warning, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go. All 2023 Kia Sportage models sold in the U.S. come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 hp and working alongside an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD and AWD are available. Other powertrains will be introduced at a later date, including a hybrid.
Pricing details haven’t been announced but we know sales of gasoline variants will start in the first quarter of 2022.