2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid: A Practical Pick with Trade-Offs

The 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid brings more power and efficiency to the compact SUV, offering two hybrid options. 6-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors for 231 horsepower, while the plug-in hybrid delivers 268 horsepower and up to 34 miles of electric-only range. Both are quicker than the nonhybrid Sportage.

Inside, the Sportage Hybrid features a spacious cabin with a large digital display, room for five, and 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. 3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and optional features like a 360-degree camera and Harman Kardon stereo.

Safety features include forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.

However, fuel economy trails key rivals like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and driving engagement is limited. The EPA rates the front-drive hybrid at up to 42 mpg city and 44 mpg highway, while all-wheel-drive versions get 35 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. In Car and Driver's 75-mph highway test, an AWD hybrid returned 31 mpg.

The plug-in hybrid earns 35 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 84 MPGe combined.

The Sportage Hybrid can tow up to 2,000 pounds with trailer brakes. Kia's warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain, but complimentary maintenance is not included. For 2027, changes are minimal: front-wheel drive is now available on S and EX trims, and the X-Line gains an optional Technology package.

While the Sportage Hybrid is a sensible, affordable choice, competitors offer better efficiency and more driver enjoyment. Car and Driver notes that the EX Hybrid is a complete package, but buyers can save money by choosing the nonhybrid Sportage.