2023 Kia Sportage Slated for Updates, U.S. Specs Unclear

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey
2023 kia sportage slated for updates u s specs unclear

Kia’s Sportage has slipped a bit below the radar recently, thanks to the brand’s mega-popular Telluride and a strong media push to get the news about the new Sorento out there.

Yet it hasn’t been forgotten. Indeed, it’s slated for updates for 2023.

Parsing the details is a bit tricky, as Kia’s press release is meant for global media and U.S. specs aren’t broken out. The brand’s U.S. media website didn’t even have a release as of 10:15 CST this morning, so we’re sourcing the folks over at the blog about autos, AKA Autoblog. That site reports the base engine will be a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Those are global numbers — AB thinks the output could get tweaked to match the power that the engine makes in another application: The K5 sedan.

A dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic seems the likely gearbox. We doubt that the American model will get the available diesel engine — or manual transmission.

We might, however, get two electrified models — a “regular” hybrid and a plug-in. Specs have not yet been released for either.

We do know there will likely be an electronic suspension with continuously active damping and a system that uses a combination of supplying torque to/braking of individual wheels to make for tighter turns. That latter bit should be part of the hybrid package.

A Terrain mode can adjust to unpaved terrain for light-duty off-road runs, and do so automatically. An X-Line trim will provide a more rugged look, while a GT-Line trim will use two-tone color schemes for a sportier appearance.

Kia did provide a length — 183 inches, which is a gain of six over the current/outgoing model. Autoblog notes the rear headroom and legroom numbers seem to suggest the Kia betters its class rivals.

As is often the case, the full picture has yet to be revealed, especially for the American market. If the Sportage tickles your crossover fancy, watch this space.

[Images: Kia]

Comments
Join the conversation
8 of 12 comments
  • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Jul 07, 2021

    The best and most successful Kia models (like the Telluride) have the old logo on the vehicle. This vehicle has the new logo and is Not Recommended. [2022 Telluride will get the new logo - this is a Big Mistake.] (ToolGuy notes that the new brand slogan of "Movement that inspires" has been downplayed on the Kia U.S. website. But they do have a Subaru-style 'heart' now. [Along with a glaringly obvious reference to Soviet farming which we shall ignore.]) Corporate Psychotherapy Moment: Kia has an upper limit problem (and is actively self-sabotaging). [Trigger warning: The link below, while referencing a book written by a man, is written by a woman. (I know many TTAC readers are not comfortable around females.)] https://www.drnorthrup.com/do-you-suffer-from-an-upper-limit-problem/

    • See 5 previous
    • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Jul 07, 2021

      @dukeisduke I spy, with my little eye: https://www.kia.com/us/en [Hint: Bottom left quadrant of the page.] (No one does homework anymore, do they?)

  • APaGttH APaGttH on Jul 07, 2021

    Mercury Village Nautica edition colored interior of navy blue and white? Be still my heart.

  • Theflyersfan I can only imagine the markups already littering the sales staff desks at each Ford dealer. I know it's like comparing an apple to a banana, but there is a Ford dealer in town that had a Bronco Raptor. Sticker was 90K, selling for $115K. Just looked up from Bronco Raptors - there are some in the Cincinnati area selling for over $120,000. So I'd expect the same amount of greed into Ranger Raptor sales. Not $100,000 by any means, but maybe start with a 40% markup to make the gotta have it first crowd pay.
  • Dukeisduke These are really desert runners (like the F-150 Raptor), but still, it will be interesting to see a crawling demonstration by somebody like Fred Williams or Dave Chappelle (no, not the comedian).
  • Dukeisduke Fortunately for the Raptor, it looks a little less like a Maverick than the regular Rangers do. From the rear, the taillights are kinda Silverado-ish.
  • Ajla I off-road 0% of the time but Ford no longer makes sedans, this is the only way to get the 3.0L in a Ranger and it's MSRP is way less than other Raptors. I expect they've already sold out '24.
  • SCE to AUX Looks pretty nice, and the tablet-dash integration is good.
Next