Full details of the 2023 Kia Sportage have just been released, four weeks after the South Korean automaker released the first official images of the new SUV. Kia will sell the new Sportage in both long-wheelbase and short-wheelbase forms depending on the market and is offering with a handful of different engines. Available from the launch is a 1.6-liter TGDI four-cylinder rated at 177 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. A 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine will also be offered with 183 hp and an impressive 307 lb-ft of torque.
Coupled to the 1.6-liter TGDI is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a six-speed manual will also be offered. The R2.0-liter diesel comes standard with an 8-speed automatic that features a damper-controlled multi-disc torque converter which Kia says enhances fuel efficiency by enlarging the lock-up range. This eight-speed has also been optimized with a new oil pump.
Kia says that other petrol and diesel engines are around the corner but hasn’t yet provided details about them. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are also on the cards. Underpinning the 2023 Kia Sportage is the automaker’s N3 architecture that should make it more capable when off-roading. The SUV has been equipped with an all-new Terrain Mode that automatically adjusts various settings depending on conditions, including snow, mud, and sand. Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes are also available for on-road driving. The Sportage also features Electric Control Suspension (ECS) that provides continuous damping control in real-time. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will also feature Kia’s high-tech E-Handling system.
Safety features come in abundance with the SUV. This includes Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) as well as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC). The Sportage also receives the same Remote Smart Parking Assist system as other Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis models.
Of course, it’s impossible to talk about the new Sportage without discussing the bold new exterior. Found at the front of the SUV is a large tiger nose grille finished in black and complemented by boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights. Helping to accentuate the dramatic sides of the SUV include an available black roof and a chrome beltline that extends up to the D-pillar. LED taillights with a light bar help to ensure the Sportage also stands out from the rear.
Kia will offer 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheel designs for the 2023 Sportage depending on the spec. Trim levels will vary depending on the market but Kia has confirmed the SUV will be offered with an X-Line variant, similar to the Sportage X-Line and featuring a rugged bumper, side sills, and a roof rack. Also available will be a GT-Line model with bright colors and an interior with black and white surfaces.
Speaking of the interior, it has undergone just as many comprehensive changes as the exterior. Found at the heart of the cabin is a 12-inch touchscreen that’s paired with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The center console is also all-new and includes a shift-by-wire transmission dial. The new Kia Sportage will be launched internationally this year as a 2022 model before arriving in the U.S. next year as a 2023 model.
