Why the 2025 Kia Sportage SX HEV hybrid is BRILLIANT- REVIEWED

Looks are a matter of taste, and although some find Kia’s 2025 Sportage HEV too brutal, I think it is just Mad Max enough to gird my loins. Despite the slashes and crevices, there is still a sense of low-tech, old-school value and quality. Adding a touch of verisimilitude to the eco bent, Kia created a hybrid, a proper one, not that mild hybrid nonsense.

Unlike Honda’s fabulously sophisticated electric eCVT, a moniker it never should have had (because it isn’t a CVT, electric or otherwise), Kia glued a 6-speed automatic in instead. Thankfully there is no sign of a fun-sapping conventional CVT. A CVT succubusly suck the life force out of everything their hideous tenacles touch.

There’s not a who lot of change outside.

Inside retains the same high-quality cabin that launched like a thousand ships only a few years ago. The SX is on the road for a smidge over $50,000 and for the same money you get a mid-range Rav 4 with FWD or for a few thou more, you get a Rav4 with AWD. Shockingly, Sportage has no AWD hybrid.

Kia rarely puts a foot wrong, and even their missteps are a little bit sexy – see Stinger and Pro_Ceed GT as proof. Lack of Sportage AWD seems a bit bonkers especially as the big sister Sorento has AWD in the HEV ranger topper. Furthermore, SX Sportage HEV still has a folding key with buttons to fob the doors into a frenzy. What is this? The 17^th century?

Seriously!

Kia makes up for the ghastly AWD omission by matching Rav 4’s power with an extra 6kw to spare. Sportage’s 350Nm combined torque figureareis well over the Rav4’s 220Nm (ICE only figure).

The Kia’s thrifty 4-cylinder hybrid puts a decent 169kw/350Nm to the front wheels via a beautifully smooth 6-speed automatic. The clever hybrid system stores otherwise wasted power in a hefty 37.5kg, 1.4kWh battery that lives under the back seats allowing plenty of room for that space saver spare tyre.

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ABOVE: 2025 Kia Sportage SX HEV Hybrid Review

Initially the economy didn’t seem overly exciting. The trip counter resets at every start and didn’t drop below 7L/100k on our short trips. As the week wore on, the fuel consumption dropped to around 5.5L/100k. Although that is oodles better, it is still above the 4.9L/100k promised on the glitzy website.

The $45,950 Sportage SX HEV is around $50,552.25 drive away in NSW. For that price I’d expect the fully digital dash as seen on some of the opposition. The top model at $60,495.75 drive away, should absolutely have the AWD option seen in the aging RAV4. None the less, Sportage is a fabulous drive and only the buyer can decide if it is worth the money. A new Rav4 is due within 12 months and although Rav4 is the top seller for January, Sportage is also in the top 10 at number 8.

5076 Rav4s sold in January, well ahead of the 1826 Sportages, and a huge percent of the Rav4s were hybrid. There are lessons there for all.

The Chinese brands are on the rise, and for around $55,000-ish drive away, the GWM Haval GT PHEV (just launched) has an AWD 0-100 time of 4.8 seconds, well over 300kw of delicious power, a 7 year warranty, 180kw EV-only range VS the Sportage’s 60km range, and 48kw DC fast charging.

The Sportage’s absence of wireless CarPlay/Android Auto could, and should, be rectified.

Sportage and Rav4 are fairly close on most things including price. Rav4’s range topping Edge hybrid AWD for $63, 621 drive away(nsw), with Sportage GT Line HEV FWD close behind on $60,495.75.

Add in the GMW Haval GT PHEV at $55,500 drive away with its 48kw DC fast charging, and the landscape change suddenly, and dramatically.

Where the Sportage, hybrid or not, kicks the Rav4’s angled-yet-fat bum, is warranty. Toyota sticks stubbornly to 5 yrs, but Kia’s entire range is an out and proud 7 years, hazza!

Erm, my brow develops deep furrows as I recall the Haval also has 7-years warranty, and the aforementioned DC fast charging.

Brochure HERE:MY25 Kia Sportage HEV Spec sheet

Conclusion

We tested the Sportage GT-Line hybrid HERE, and adored it. With a handsome exterior, a classy, well-designed interior, 7-year warranty, and an impressive standard equipment list, Sportage hybrid continues to be one of our favourite cars, period.

Major feature below including the updates for 2025 highlighted in BOLD

Variant

Features *New HEV Features (different to Petrol Variants)

Sportage Hybrid
SX FWD Auto

RRP $45,950