i’m thinking about getting a 2024 kia sportage hybrid ex trim. for those who have one, how’s it been? is there anything that would make you reconsider or go for a different model?
i have the phev version, so similar setup but with a bigger battery and plug-in option. the only thing that’s been a bit disappointing is the highway fuel economy. initially, i was only getting high 20s mpg, but after a few thousand miles, it’s settled around 30-32 mpg. it’s still better than the gas version but not as good as some competitors. overall, i’m really happy with my choice.
@CateGee
same here! around town it’s great, but in idaho, we deal with a lot of elevation changes on longer trips, so it’s usually 27-31 mpg on the interstate, which is lower than i expected.
StingerStar said:
@CateGee
same here! around town it’s great, but in idaho, we deal with a lot of elevation changes on longer trips, so it’s usually 27-31 mpg on the interstate, which is lower than i expected.
is that mpg only when driving under 80 mph? what speed do you usually keep on highways?
@CateGee
just a heads up, ‘highway speed’ can vary a lot. i get great mileage cruising between 50-70 mph, close to the rated 38 mpg. but once i’m above 75 mph, it drops to around 29-30 mpg. some competitors might do a bit better at high speeds, but it’s not a huge difference.
@snoop
do you use eco or sport mode? i usually get better mpg in smart mode.
Bright said:
@snoop
do you use eco or sport mode? i usually get better mpg in smart mode.
depends on my mood! sport mode is a blast, but i mostly stick with eco or smart mode.
@CateGee
had similar mpg with my phev. wish they had included a heat pump instead of using the engine to heat the cabin.
TurboSoulMate said:
@CateGee
had similar mpg with my phev. wish they had included a heat pump instead of using the engine to heat the cabin.
same here, but it would have raised the price. i went with the mechanical awd over eawd and heat pump in the pricier rav4.
@CateGee
i thought about the rav4 prime too, but the dealer markups were ridiculous. no way i’m paying nearly 60k for one.
@CateGee
same here, the mpg on my 2023 phev isn’t great.
Alex said:
@CateGee
same here, the mpg on my 2023 phev isn’t great.
for me, it’s mainly highway driving above 70 mph that eats up gas. around town, i can usually get around 38 miles electric range (often above the 34-mile rating), and over 40 mpg if i stay under 50 mph. short trips, though, aren’t the best on gas.
got a 2024 ex hybrid – only extras i added were floor mats and a cargo cover. we looked at the rav4, crv, and tucson hybrids too, but the sportage felt like the best value. we also loved the vesta blue/misty gray color, which definitely swayed us!
it’s only been 8 months and a little over 4,700 miles, but no regrets. my partner has a 2017 ioniq hybrid with over 80k miles, and it’s been solid, which gave us confidence in going with kia again.
quick tip – short trips or starting with a cold engine are tough on mpg. on longer trips, mpg improves once the engine is warm. last few tanks have been around 38.5 mpg.
if you buy, check the manual! follow the break-in advice, and keep the air intake clear for the battery. i did my own oil change at 3,000 miles, and there was a slight metallic sheen – normal for new engines, but still a reminder to keep up with maintenance early on.
i’ve got a 2023 hybrid sx trim, and it’s been great! nearly a year and a half now with no regrets. the only downsides are that short trips (especially in winter) hit mpg hard, and it lacks power-folding mirrors and has limited ambient lighting.
we compared it to the rav4 and crv, but the sportage felt like a better fit for what i was looking for. plus, i’ve had good experiences with kia in the past, so i wasn’t too worried about reliability, even if some folks are skeptical.
@snoop
the low mpg on short drives is probably from the engine warming up. if it’s cold, the switches between electric and gas modes would wear things down faster. still, i think kia could improve how it switches between hybrid modes.
love my hybrid, but…
the ex hybrid runs about $32.5k, while the gas model sx is $32.7k and comes with radar cruise. radar cruise is a must-have for me.
Austin said:
love my hybrid, but…
the ex hybrid runs about $32.5k, while the gas model sx is $32.7k and comes with radar cruise. radar cruise is a must-have for me.
the 2023 sx doesn’t have adaptive cruise?
@marthakrausen
the ex doesn’t, but the sx does – at least that’s what the website says.
had mine for just over a year now – hybrid lx model. when i was working from home, my short trips only got me around 32 mpg. now that my commute is around 20 miles, it’s closer to 37 mpg. one downside of the lx is you can’t add roof rails after purchase.
recently upgraded from a 2023 lx hybrid to the 2025 sx-prestige and i’m loving it. after i bought my 2023, my partner got a 2024 seltos sx-turbo with all the bells and whistles – sunroof, adaptive cruise, kia access app, etc. seeing all those features made me wish i’d waited for the sx-prestige.
between the 2023 and 2025, i rarely hit the advertised 38 mpg, usually 2-3 mpg lower, which i expected with our climate. it’s super comfortable and friends are always impressed with the space and smooth drive on trips.