The Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the most expensive and most powerful Sportage, yet it is also the version that promises the greatest economy.
Having already tested the cheapest Kia Sportage of all - the petrol model with a manual gearbox - it is time to look at the opposite end of the price range.
This South Korean SUV has one of the broadest powertrain line-ups available, with an option seemingly suited to almost every preference: petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are all offered.
Compared with the entry-level model we tested previously, this Kia Sportage stands out for its plug-in hybrid system, which can be charged from a socket and claims up to 70 km of electric range. It also comes with all-wheel drive and a more generous equipment specification.
There are no visual changes compared with the other versions, apart from the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) badge on the tailgate and an additional flap on the right-hand side of the bodywork, which covers the charging port.
The two trim levels, Drive and Tech, can be distinguished by their 19-inch alloy wheels and black exterior details. On the Tech, these parts are finished in gloss black rather than simply retaining the colour of the plastic.
Other than the body colour, the two Kia Sportage models that have passed through Razão Automóvel are exactly the same.
A more sophisticated cabin
Unlike the exterior, the interior of this Kia Sportage reveals more differences when compared with the more affordable version. The instrument cluster is also fully digital, for example, but its appearance is considerably more sophisticated and closer to the system used in the Kia EV6.
Its plug-in hybrid powertrain and automatic gearbox also mean that the centre console has a different layout, housing a dedicated rotary selector identical to the one in the Kia EV6. The driving-mode selector is positioned just below it.
In the Tech trim fitted to this test car, the key can remain in your pocket, while the front seats are electrically adjusted. For colder days, both the seats and steering wheel are heated.
Otherwise, this Kia Sportage retains the model's familiar strengths: a spacious cabin for both front and rear occupants, a high level of comfort and a standard of interior finish that does not disappoint.
The only real drawback is that the hybrid system takes away some boot space, as the battery is installed beneath the floor. Even so, 540 litres of capacity remain available, which is still a generous figure and should meet most family requirements.
Kia Sportage PHEV: more of everything
As expected, the greatest differences between this version and the previously tested entry-level model become apparent on the move, beginning with the engine. The 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine remains under the bonnet, although here it produces 180 hp, which is 30 hp more than in the petrol-only Sportage.
It is joined by an electric motor contributing 91 hp. Together, the two power sources deliver 265 hp and 350 Nm of torque, making the Sportage PHEV the most powerful version in the range.
These are very appealing figures for an SUV of this size, even one weighing almost two tonnes. Furthermore, while the cheapest Sportage drives only two wheels, this Sportage features all-wheel drive.
In (barely) electric mode
The electrical side of the hybrid system is supplied by a 13.8 kWh battery, allowing Kia to claim a maximum electric-only range of 70 km on the combined cycle. However, this test began in rush-hour traffic with zero kilometres of electric range available.
Even so, it pulled away in complete silence, without bringing the combustion engine to life during the initial manoeuvres. At lower speeds, when coasting downhill or while stationary, there were few occasions when the petrol engine engaged.
On the other hand, in urban conditions and heavier traffic, the lack of a fully electric mode meant that the recorded consumption figures were not particularly pleasing, at times exceeding nine litres. Once out on the open road, however, consumption immediately began to fall.
With no charge in the battery and over a route including town driving, country roads and motorway miles, the Kia Sportage PHEV returned an average slightly above seven litres.
With the battery charged
After leaving the Kia Sportage PHEV plugged in for several hours, the battery reached 100%, allowing its true plug-in hybrid advantage to be used: driving in fully electric mode.
It is in this setting that the South Korean brand's SUV seems determined to show that it “hates” calling on the combustion engine for assistance.
In fully electric mode, the Kia Sportage can keep pace with other cars without any difficulty. That applies both in town and on the motorway, although, as expected, its benefits are even more apparent in urban driving.
By using the accelerator carefully, it is possible to complete a typical commute between home and work, for instance, without using the combustion engine, resulting in a substantial saving. Without much care, however, and with the petrol engine being called upon in several situations, the recorded average did not even reach five litres.
In terms of range, Kia's claimed 70 km is rather optimistic and requires ideal driving conditions. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to exceed 50 km before the battery needs charging again.
If regularly charging the battery still imposes limitations on how the car can be used, then the plug-in hybrid version makes little sense. In that case, the conventional hybrid (HEV), which does not need to be plugged in, is the better option. Its potential savings are not as great, but fuel consumption will still be lower than in the petrol-only version.
Very limited choice
Buying a new car is usually the opportunity to tailor the model you will drive for the longest period to your own preferences.
With the Kia Sportage PHEV, though, there are no choices beyond the exterior paint colour. More options could be offered in terms of trim levels or individual extras, as is the case in other markets.
For example, for the PHEV version, what would the Kia Sportage look like with the sportier styling of the GT Line rather than the Tech, which is the only option listed in the configurator? And for more demanding buyers, why not offer a panoramic glass roof or an improved sound system, even if these came at an additional cost?
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