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The 2023 Kia Sportage is an affordable compact SUV. The Sportage competes with small SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester. Is the Kia Sportage worth buying, or should you go with one of its rivals instead?

The 2023 Kia Sportage is value-packed

A blue 2023 Kia Sportage is driving on the road.
The 2023 Kia Sportage | Kia

Affordability is extremely important as America gets closer and closer to economic uncertainty. Talks of a recession have many consumers cutting back on spending. When looking for a new small SUV, many drivers will choose the most economical option because of circumstances created by the global pandemic.

The 2023 Kia Sportage is a great compact SUV for drivers that don’t want to break the bank. The new Kia Sportage starts at just $25,990. It is more affordable than the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. The Sportage uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower. It achieves 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Sportage comes standard with a 12.2-inch instrument display, remote keyless entry, and an immobilizer. It also includes Drive Mode Select, Lane Following Assist, and Rear Parking Sensors. The small SUV features an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It comes with Driver Attention Warning with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Rear Occupant Alert, and High Beam Assist.

What’s the best Kia Sportage trim?

A green 2023 Kia Sportage is driving on the road.
The 2023 Kia Sportage | Kia

Car and Driver recommends the Sportage EX Hybrid configuration. The 2023 Kia Sportage EX Hybrid starts at $30,990. It uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four cylinder electric motor to make 227 horsepower. The Sportage EX Hybrid achieves 38 miles per gallon combined.

The small hybrid SUV comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless phone charger, and SynTex seating trim with heated front seats. It also includes a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated side view mirrors, and active all-wheel drive with center locking differential.

The Sportage Hybrid is still affordable despite offering incredible fuel economy and amazing standard features that improve the overall ownership experience. The small hybrid SUV provides great value for the money, and is perfect for drivers looking to save money at the pump.

If any Kia Sportage is worth buying, it’s the EX hybrid. The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrird EX rivals some of the best small hybrid SUVs on the market like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

What is the best small SUV on the market?

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has been having an amazing year. The Tucson has a futuristic exterior design, plenty of great standard tech, and several different configurations for different types of drivers.

U.S. News & World Report features the Hyundai Tucson on a list of best cars for the money and a list of best cars for families. The 2023 Kia Sportage may be a standout model, but it still isn’t considered the best small SUV available by many automotive publications.

Read more about the Hyundai Tucson in the next article below.


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