2025 (25) Kia Sportage 1.6T GDi HEV Shadow 5dr Auto

The full-Hybrid version of Kia's Sportage family SUV could just be the pick of the range. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

On paper, you might wonder whether the HEV full-Hybrid version of Kia's Sportage SUV is the best choice to make from this fifth generation model's now improved line-up. But in practice, this variant proves to be a very efficient real-world all-round choice, with eager performance matched to the usual attributes of the current Sportage - striking looks, practicality and a long warranty.

Background

If you're not quite ready yet to plug your car in, then the chances are that you want a Hybrid of some sort. And it's equally likely that you want some sort of SUV. If that needs to be of the mid-sized family-shaped sort, then here's a model that needs to be somewhere on your shopping list; the full-Hybrid HEV version of Kia's Sportage. The fifth generation model has always sold well with this HEV powerplant and here, that drivetrain benefits from a useful mid-term update, introduced in Summer 2025 The 'full-Hybrid HEV' terminology's important here because Kia also offers this car in mild hybrid guise (where it's cheaper) and in Plug-in Hybrid form (where it's predictably pricier). All these various flavours of 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine are directly shared with this Kia's Hyundai Motor Group close cousin, the similarly-priced Hyundai Tucson. But this Kia has a very different visual vibe. Is it the family SUV Hybrid for you? You'll need the usual comprehensive Car & Driving Road Test to find out.

Driving Experience

This Sportage model's Hybrid powertrain gets a few changes as part of this facelift, upgraded by to 235bhp, courtesy of a more powerful 64kW electric motor (up from 44.2kW in the pre-facelift car) mated as before to a 1.49kWh battery pack. As previously, this drivetrain is paired to either a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels, or an optional all-wheel drive set-up in the top-spec 'GT-Line S' variant. Weight and aerodynamics combine to keep performance relatively modest; the rest to 62mph sprint occupies 7.7s in the front-driven model and maximum speed is 120mph. There are 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' drive modes. Like other Sportage models, this one is superbly refined, particularly around town where the electric motor frequently and seamlessly kicks in to supplant the engine. Only when you push on around twisty roads beyond the city limits will you begin to feel the mandatory 6-speed auto gearbox chase itself a bit; and at this point, you might find the engine's usual calm disrupted somewhat. Like its rivals, this Sportage is never likely to feel fun or entertaining; the steering is particularly light and relatively feel-less, though that's great in town. But there's plenty of cornering grip, it's wieldy on urban roads, easy to park and a quiet highway cruiser, with the usual semi-autonomous driving tools available to take the strain out of long trips.

Design and Build

If you found the styling of the original version of this MK5-era MK5 Sportage divisive, you still will. The unusual 'Opposites United' design theme remains, but has been brought into line with the look of Kia's EV range of electric models. In Europe, we still continue to only get the short wheelbase version of this car; Korean, American and Australasian markets get a longer wheelbase version. But the Sportage we do get is now a little longer than before (4,540mm long, up from 4,515mm before), though the height (1,650mm) and width (1,865mm) figures stay the same. As for those visual changes, well there's now a pair of more vertical LED headlights with stylised 'star point' daytime running lights that blend into the grille. 'GT-Line' models get a blockier lower bumper graphic with integrated fog lamps. And the tail lights get redesigned interiors with 'star point' graphics. There's also re-shaped rear bumper - of a chunkier design with 'GT-Line' spec. And Kia has added re-designed wheels sized between 17 and 19-inches. More significant changes feature inside, where the Korean maker has fitted a completely new and sleeker dashboard, with a more streamlined upper section which now does without the large air vent that previously framed the screen housing. Only top 'GT-Line S' spec gets you a full 12.3-inch digital instrument screen; other variants have a smaller 4.3-inch display with digital instruments on either side. As before, all variants get a now thinner-framed 12.3-inch central touchscreen which now has a re-designed interface and an updated version of Kia ccNC operating system. This now accommodates multiple Bluetooth devices, so you can for instance use Google Maps on one while streaming music from another. There's also an AI-powered voice control function. As previously, below the touchscreen is a panel of touch-sensitive switches that deal with either media functions or climate controls. And there's a re-designed two-spoke steering wheel with a contrasting insert on 'GT-Line' models. It's the same in the back of course as with the pre-facelift car; there's decent rear passenger space thanks to the 2,680mm wheelbase length. Out back, luggage space is rated at 587-litres for this Hybrid. To extend this, there's a convenient 40:20:40 rear seat back split. With everything folded, boot space is rated at 1,776-litres.

Market and Model

The pre-facelift version of this Kia was the UK's best-selling mid-sized Hybrid SUV and that was partly because it was very well priced. That policy hasn't changed as part of this facelift. For this Hybrid version, you'll be looking at a starting point of around £35,000 (around £3,500 more than the conventional mild hybrid model). And there are 'Pure', 'GT-Line' and 'GT-Line S' trim levels. 'Pure'-spec gets you 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, silver roof rails and a 4.2-inch driver display screen. Most customers tend to choose mid-level 'GT-Line'-spec, which includes 19-inch wheels, along with heat for the front seats and steering wheel, front fog lamps and rear combination lamps, rear privacy glass, a gloss black finish for the radiator grille, side sills and wheel arch body mouldings, plus body-coloured door and radiator upper garnishes, and a chrome skid plate front and rear. The 'GT-Line' model looks much nicer than lesser-trimmed versions inside too, featuring plush suede and leather upholstery, a contrast-coloured sports leather steering wheel with perforated inserts, a black headliner, sports pedals and door garnishes. Plus at this level, there's keyless entry with a start button, driver's lumbar support and cruise control with a speed limiter (upgraded on DCT auto models to Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go functionality and Kia's 'Highway Driving Assist' semi-autonomous drive system). Top 'GT-Line S' trim adds the real niceties - a panoramic sunroof, Dual LED headlights, an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree surround view monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, a wireless 'phone charger, a 12.3-inch driver display screen and a head-up display.

Cost of Ownership

The combined cycle fuel return for this Sportage HEV Hybrid is quoted at 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and 129g/km of CO2. Given the price premium here, we'd hoped for a bit more gain over the figures of the cheaper mild hybrid version (43.5mpg and 147g/km). But you are getting much more performance. And a regular real-world return of around 40mpg is easily possible, which we never got anywhere near in the mild hybrid. Best of all, because of the extra performance, you can leave this Sportage HEV in its most frugal 'Eco' drive mode nearly all the time without the car feeling slothful. As it would do if you did the same thing in the mild hybrid. Official stats don't always tell the full story and they don't here. But if you want all of them, we'll tell you that the larger wheels of top 'GT-Line S' trim drop the front-driven version's CO2 reading to 132g/km; which falls again to 146g/km in a 'GT-Line S' AWD model. As usual with Kia, there's a 7 year or 100,000 mile warranty which, since it can be passed from owner to owner, should help the impressively strong residual values. You might want to note that roadside assistance cover is limited to one year, but you do get a long 12 year bodywork warranty. Maintenance costs can be kept down by opting for Kia's 'Care-3' or 'Care-3 Plus' servicing packages, which offer a fixed-cost and inflation-proof servicing plan for the first three or five years, something which can also be passed on to subsequent owners. Insurance is rated at groups 24E-26E. Service intervals are every year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes sooner.

Summary

In some ways, this HEV Hybrid variant might not initially be your first choice from the Sportage range. On paper, it isn't actually that much more frugal than the much cheaper mild hybrid derivative. And it's not actually an enormous amount cheaper than the Plug-in Hybrid version that would give you a much lower tax rating. For the real world though, this test has left us with the suspicion that day-to-day as an all-round ownership proposition, this HEV Sportage might turn out to be a better bet than either of its range stablemates. We've got closer to the quoted efficiency figures than seemed possible with either the mild hybrid or the Plug-in versions. And the drivetrain is particularly refined, torquey and smooth. Ultimately, it's quite an appealing combination. If you like the looks, you'll just have to decide whether it's appealing enough to justify the asking price.