Kia Sportage Hybrid (2022) Review

The 2022 Kia Sportage Hybrid has earned its place as one of the UK’s top family SUVs, blending bold design, spacious interiors, and impressive tech upgrades. With the recent redesign, Kia has pushed the Sportage into a new era, offering a compelling combination of practicality, comfort, and style. Here's a closer look at what makes this hybrid a strong contender in the mid-size SUV market.

With spacious seating, impressive safety features, and great fuel economy for a hybrid SUV, it’s a solid choice for families or anyone needing extra space and comfort on a budget.

Standout Interior Features

The cabin of the 2022 Kia Sportage Hybrid is one of its most appealing features. Kia has taken cues from its EV6 sibling, with a sophisticated layout for the dual digital displays and an intuitive gear selector. Quality materials cover most surfaces, with only a few hard plastics low down, where you’re less likely to notice. It's spacious, comfortable, and comes with modern touches like a wireless charging pad and a well-designed cup holder area for added convenience.

One minor downside? Apple CarPlay is available, but only in wired form—an odd choice in an otherwise high-tech interior. However, the Kia infotainment system shines, offering one of the most user-friendly interfaces on the market. With physical climate controls complemented by responsive haptic buttons, it’s both modern and easy to use.

Rear Seat Comfort

In the rear, the Kia Sportage Hybrid delivers on comfort. Legroom and headroom are generous, and there are thoughtful touches like heated seats, rear air conditioning controls, and a USB port in each seat back. While three adults can fit in the rear, the middle seat could be tight on long journeys due to a modest transmission tunnel.

Driving Dynamics

On the road, the Sportage Hybrid strikes a balance between comfort and responsiveness. While it may not be the sportiest SUV out there, it’s more than capable of handling curves comfortably and provides a smooth, confident ride. Steering is sharp, though possibly more responsive than some drivers might prefer. Under the hood, the Sportage GT-Line S trim with all-wheel drive has a 0-60 mph time of around eight seconds, which, combined with the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivers a smooth and efficient driving experience on motorways and city streets alike.

With a combined WLTP rating of 44.1 MPG, the Sportage Hybrid holds its own for fuel economy in its class. Real-world driving tends to yield around 43 MPG, a solid return given its power and AWD capability.

Safety and Practicality

As expected from a modern Kia, the 2022 Sportage Hybrid includes an impressive suite of advanced safety features: cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, blind spot detection, and lane-keeping assist are all standard or available options. While some drivers may find these alerts slightly intrusive, they add a layer of reassurance for family-focused drivers.

Though it’s primarily a soft-roader, the Sportage Hybrid can handle rougher terrain comfortably. The ride remains composed even on gravel or bumpy country roads, making it versatile enough for light off-road use when needed.

Comparing the Sportage to the Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is often considered the Sportage’s closest rival, sharing similar platforms and technology. While the Tucson has a slightly larger footprint, the Sportage wins many drivers over with its sleeker, more refined styling and modern interior layout.

Price and Value

Starting at around £27,500, the Kia Sportage Hybrid is competitively priced. The GT-Line S model tested here comes fully equipped, with an impressive list of tech and convenience features for about £41,500. But for most drivers, the mid-range models offer excellent value, providing all the essential features at a more accessible price point.

Final Verdict

The 2022 Kia Sportage Hybrid is a versatile and well-rounded SUV. With spacious seating, impressive safety features, and great fuel economy for a hybrid SUV, it’s a solid choice for families or anyone needing extra space and comfort on a budget. Kia has hit it out of the park with this model, combining style, technology, and practicality in a package that’s hard to beat. If you’re torn between the Sportage and another SUV like the Hyundai Tucson, I’d recommend giving both a test drive—but chances are, the Sportage will edge out with its style and value.

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