The Kia Sportage has long stood out in a crowded field of SUVs, but since the current fifth generation was revealed in 2021, it's surged to the front of the pack.
The 2023 version offers both style and substance, with an elegant exterior complemented by a comfortable and salubrious interior. Seven trims are available, but every version offers a basic dedication to quality that makes the Sportage the must-buy SUV of 2023. With such a range of options available, choosing the model that best fits your needs can be a challenge. This article walks you through what's available at Team Kia of El Cajon, California.
LX
This trim also comes with 17-inch machined-finished alloy wheels, and the interior boasts an 8-inch infotainment touch screen with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a 12.2-inch driver display and is extremely comfortable, offering a six-way manual driver's seat and a four-way manual front car passenger seat.
EX
The EX trim expands on the features of the LX with some extra perks, including the blind-spot collision-avoidance system with rear cross-traffic collision alert. A gloss black grille with a silver accent gives the exterior a more imposing style and is complimented by the 18-inch machined-finished alloy wheels.
In the interior, the driver's seat comes with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and two-way lumbar support, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel gives the interior a luxurious look and feel. The infotainment touch screen is 12.3 inches, and heated side mirrors, an additional USB-C port, and dual-zone auto climate control all add to the experience.
X-Line AWD
The X-Line AWD builds on the EX and comes with AWD as standard. The X-Line body styling gives an extra panache to the exterior, and the model comes with the exclusive X-Line 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels and an X-Line Syn-Tex seat. For some reviewers, this trim is the Goldilocks of the available versions due to its extra ground clearance, increased approach and departure angles, and front McPherson suspension, as well as its additional multi-link system in the rear.
SX
The SX offers a bold edge to the design, and you can choose from either FWD or AWD. The gloss black grille comes with a satin chrome accent trim, and gloss black roof rails add to the angular style with 18-inch matte gray alloy wheels, creating a gorgeous exterior. The driver's cluster display increases in style to 12.3 inches, and LED interior lighting gives the interior a bright and open feel.
The integrated memory system is a particularly impressive addition to this trim because it memorizes your preferred position for the seats and mirrors, allowing you to move between drivers without having to adjust each element separately. This trim also includes adaptive cruise control and front-intersection cross-traffic collision avoidance.
SX-Prestige
The SX-Prestige expands on the SX's features and includes front park-distance warning, surround view monitor with 3D view, LED fog lights and projector headlights, and 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels. Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel make the creature comforts for you and your passengers particularly notable. This trim also includes satin matte inside door handles and LED fog lights.
Sportage X-Pro
This trim comes with all the features available in the SX level but includes additional X-Line styling. In this trim level, AWD comes as standard. Several drive modes are also available, with normal, smart, sport, and snow multi-terrain drive modes offered as standard. The X-Line body styling gives the exterior a modern look, and the gloss black high-utility roof rails make the vehicle stand out from the crowd.
Alloy pedals on the interior are complemented by the exclusive Sportage X-Pro 17-inch matte black alloy wheels on the exterior. The X-Line seat trims make the interior as comfortable as possible. Highway driving assist is also offered as an extra, which helps you maintain distance from other vehicles and stay in the center of the lane.
Sportage X-Pro Prestige
This trim expands on the Sportage X-Pro but has several extra additions, such as blind-spot view monitor and reverse parking-collision avoidance. All-terrain tires and a locking system differential all come as standard, and the vehicle comes with a range of off-road driving modes.
Features and Options for All Trims
Every trim uses the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. There are three models for you to choose from. The gas-powered model gives you 187 horsepower with an eight-speed transmission. The fuel economy is 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highways, which is very good for an engine of this size.
The hybrid model gives you 227 horsepower with a fuel economy of 38 mpg (city) and 43 mpg (highway) and is surpassed only by the plug-in hybrid, which offers an excellent 261 horsepower with an 84 mpg equivalent. This can change according to whether you select an AWD or FWD model.
Despite the changes to the modeling, there are also consistencies between the different versions that are worth noting. The 2023 Sportage offers the option for a Wi-Fi hotspot, where you can connect up to five devices. All trims are particularly renowned for their legroom, offering 41.4 inches for the front occupants and 41.3 inches for those in the rear.
Headroom is 39.6 inches in the front and 39.4 inches in the rear. For your cargo needs, it provides 39.6 cubic feet, which can increase to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row of seats folded down. This is a significant increase in space compared with previous generations of the Sportage, making it a comfortable and practical choice.
Which Trim Is Right for You?
Whichever trim you choose, you'll get the same high-quality vehicle. However, there are several differences between the trim levels. If you're keen to do some off-roading, you'll certainly want to consider the AWD models, and you may be particularly taken with the imposing black grille and stylish corners of the EX trim.
The best approach is for you to come down to Team Kia of El Cajon in El Cajon, California, and have a look at the 2023 Kia Sportage for yourself. You can also check out our flexible range of financing models and ask us any questions, and we'll try to find the model that suits you best. Whatever your needs are, we're only too happy to help.
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